Iconic Australian TV presenter and ‘first lady of children’s television’ dies at age 92
Pioneering Australian children’s presenter Dawn Kenyon, known as the country’s ‘first lady of children’s television’, died earlier this week at the age of 92.
The much-loved personality became Australia’s first female presenter of a children’s program when she presented Captain Fortune in 1956, the same year television came to the country.
Born Dorothy Dingwell in the regional Queensland town of Toowoomba in 1932, she developed a reputation for presenting several early Aussie children’s shows with enthusiasm.
Kenyon also presented Channel Seven’s early children’s learning show Romper Room in the late 1950s, several years before the similarly themed Play School premiered on the ABC in 1966.
She was known to her many young viewers as Miss Dawn as she entertained and entertained thousands of children across the country.
Pioneering Australian children’s presenter Dawn Kenyon (pictured), known as the country’s ‘first lady of children’s television’, died earlier this week at the age of 92.
The much-loved personality became Australia’s first female presenter on a children’s program when she hosted children’s variety show Captain Fortune in 1956, the same year television came to the country. She also presented Romper Room, a precursor to ABC’s Play School
In 1957, she married British television engineer Fred Kenyon, and the couple had three children: Steven, Peter and Anne.
In addition to her work in front of the camera, Kenyon also worked behind the scenes as a producer and screenwriter.
However, when she got married, she decided to give up her presenting career and move to England with her husband after he accepted a job.
Kenyon was known to her many young viewers as Miss Dawn as she engaged and entertained thousands of children across the country
Many of Dawn’s industry friends were quick to pay tribute to her when they heard of her death.
“The dawn was always a bright light,” Australian journalist Anita Jacoby said in a statement.
“So many times she was the first to greet us, introduce us to new families and guide us deeper into the magic of the Merry Makers,” added 60 Minutes veteran Jeff McMullen.
Sadly, her beloved husband Fred passed away in December 2020, after 63 years of marriage.
Dawn is survived by her three children.