Jane Singleton (Stoney ’64) was one of the first female graduate cadets on The Age newspaper and has worked in diverse journalistic roles both internationally and in Australia, in print, radio and television.

After her journalistic career, which included presenting the 7.30 Report for the ABC, Jane developed her own strategic communications company committed to ethical public affairs in the public interest and is now a public advocate and strategist on human rights issues.

Highlights of her working life have included the visit of Nelson Mandela to Australia before his historic election, campaigning for victims of asbestos, access to the drug RU486 and the abolishment of the infamous Global Gag and Family Planning Guidelines which limited the availability of services and information to women throughout the world.

Most recently Jane was CEO and Director of the Sydney Peace Foundation, which awards Australia’s only international peace prize, and she continues her consultancy in advocacy and strategic advice.

As a student, a formative experience for Jane was visiting China in 1968 in the early years of the Cultural Revolution. After returning to Melbourne she joined The Age and from there travelled to Latin America and settled in Rio de Janeiro, becoming the editor of the English Language Daily and correspondent for British and US media. Jane returned to Australia to marry and become a farmer, before going back to journalism with the ABC in a series of roles taking her to Longreach, Rockhampton, Brisbane and Sydney where she now lives and works.

Her community and corporate roles as director and chair have included the NRMA, the Australian Consumers Council, the Council of the Australian National Gallery, the first Federal Presidency of MEAA, the journalists’ union and the Executive of the International Federation of Journalists. Jane chaired the international aid agency ChildFund, was on the Executive of the Australian Council for International Aid and was CEO of the Australian Reproductive Health Alliance.

She taught journalism at University of Technology, other Australian universities and at the Australian Film, Television and Radio School. Jane has delivered innumerable lectures and speeches on journalism, advocacy and human rights. She was also a member of the Independent Complaints Review Panel for the ABC. Jane was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for services to the community.

She has two adult children, is a passionate reader and is keenly interested in the arts and politics.

November 2015