ABC editorial director Judith Whelan dies aged 62 after battle with cancer
Judith Whelan, editor-in-chief of ABC and former editor of the Sydney Morning Herald, has died aged 62.
Whelan died at Sydney’s Royal Prince Alfred Hospital on Wednesday afternoon after a seven-year battle with cancer.
She is survived by her husband Christopher Henning, her daughter Sophia and her son Patrick.
Whelan began her career at the Herald with a cadetship in 1985 and would become one of only three women to become editor of the masthead.
Current editor Bevan Shields said Whelan had been a “great editor, colleague and friend” during her 30 years in the newsroom.
“We are heartbroken by her death,” Shields said.
“She had a finely tuned news radar, but also enjoyed journalism that could entertain and inform readers. She was a natural leader and a wonderful person.
“Our thoughts are with Chris, Sophia and Patrick.”
Judith Whelan, editor-in-chief of the ABC and former editor of the Sydney Morning Herald, has died at the age of 62.
Whelan died on Wednesday at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital after a seven-year battle with cancer. She is survived by her husband Chris and two children, Patrick and Sophia
Whelan is remembered as a fierce advocate for women in the industry and for his keen eye for emerging talent.
Lisa Davies, who was editor of the Herald between 2017 and 2021, said Whelan had been a “fiercely competitive” leader who “had journalism in her veins”.
“She had the compassionate touch of someone who genuinely cared; she was fiercely competitive but would love the chance to cuddle a colleague’s new baby,” Ms Davies said.
“She was also a trailblazer for women in media, who found her greatest satisfaction in discovering talent and helping them achieve great things – we are all the better for her leadership and love.”
After starting as a cadet at the Herald, Whelan excelled in the health department before becoming one of the newspaper’s youngest foreign correspondents.
She got a post in New Zealand and later worked for the publication in Europe.
Whelan was editor of the Good Weekend between 2004 and 2011, Saturday editor from 2011 to 2013 and editor of the Herald until 2016.
Whelan became one of the Herald’s youngest foreign correspondents when she took up a post in New Zealand in her twenties
She has been a finalist for the prestigious Walkley Awards several times.
In 2016, Whelan left Fairfax Media (now Nine Newspapers) to join the ABC.
She worked as head of radio before becoming head of specialist content at the national broadcaster and then director of regional and local.
In this role, Whelan managed capital city radio stations and local screen content in 48 regional and national locations across Australia.
Last February she was appointed editor-in-chief of the ABC.
ABC chief executive David Anderson said Whelan had been “fearless” in the face of cancer and was still a “formidable” journalist.
Whelan was editor of the Sydney Morning Herald and Good Weekend during her five-decade career
“She carried with her a commitment to truth and responsibility and instilled these values in those who worked with her,” he said.
‘Judith was a valued mentor to younger journalists while leading by example. Judith was tough but caring and wanted the people around her to succeed. Young reporters knew Judith would stand up for their work if the story needed to be told.
“Judith spoke her mind and was often the rare voice shouting the truth that needed to be said, regardless of the opinions of those around her.”