Media personality, businesswoman, best-selling author, committed community contributor and 2013 Australian of the Year, Ita Buttrose AO OBE, has today received the award of the degree Doctor of Letters honoris causa from Macquarie University.
Buttrose received the award at an afternoon graduation ceremony for the Faculty of Human Sciences and Faculty of Arts, where she also presented an occasional address.
Ms Buttrose said she was honoured and delighted to receive the honorary doctorate.
“University of Life graduates don’t always have such an honour bestowed on them. In accepting this I want to recognise those who may never physically receive their degree but whose contributions have been no less impactful,” she said.
“Communication, of course, is my passion, which is why it troubles me when I hear that many Gen Ys and Zs wear cynicism almost like a badge. I’d like to see them and all you graduates here today install a Sat Nav-For-Life with a SIRI that steers you down a route that is life affirming as opposed to life negating, which is where I fear your cynicism is taking you.”
Buttrose was the youngest ever Editor of The Australian Women's Weekly, the founding editor of Cleo, the first woman to ever edit a major metropolitan newspaper in Australia as Editor-in-Chief of the Sydney Daily and Sunday Telegraph, and the first female director of News Limited.
“Ita is an exceptional Australian,” said Vice-Chancellor, Professor S. Bruce Dowton. “Twice voted as the country’s most admired woman, it is a great privilege for our graduates to hear from a leader who has influenced so many areas of business, media and public health, as they head out on their own careers.”
Born in Sydney, Buttrose left formal education aged 15 to pursue her passion as a journalist. Her first role as a copy girl at the Australian Women’s Weekly lead to a position as a cadet journalist on The Daily Telegraph and The Sunday Telegraph, where at only 17 years of age she landed her first byline, covering the 1959 Australian tour by Princess Alexandra.
At age 23 Buttrose was appointed women’s editor of the Telegraphs, and two years later began a role overseas for the UK’s Women’s Own magazine, before returning to Australia in 1970.
Her most famous role began in 1972, as the founding editor of Cleo magazine. An instant success, she remained at the helm until 1975 when she was appointed editor of the Packers' flagship magazine, the Australian Women's Weekly. She subsequently became editor-in-chief of both publications, before being appointed Publisher of Australian Consolidated Press Women's Division in 1978.
In 1981 Buttrose took the role of Editor-in-Chief of the Daily and Sunday Telegraphs, making her the first female editor of a major metropolitan newspaper in Australia.
Buttrose founded Capricorn Publishing and The Good Life Publishing Company, created ITA Magazine and has been involved with publishing work for such clients as David Jones, Telstra, and the ATO. She has written 11 very successful books including her best-selling autobiography A Passionate Life.
She is the current National President of Alzheimer's Australia, Patron of the Macular Disease Foundation, and Emeritus Director of Arthritis Australia. She was made an officer of the Order of Australia for her services to the community, especially in the field of public health education when she spearheaded Australia's HIV/AIDS Education Program, an OBE for her services to journalism, and a Centenary Medal for business leadership.
Buttrose received the award at an afternoon graduation ceremony for the Faculty of Human Sciences and Faculty of Arts, where she also presented an occasional address.
Ms Buttrose said she was honoured and delighted to receive the honorary doctorate.
“University of Life graduates don’t always have such an honour bestowed on them. In accepting this I want to recognise those who may never physically receive their degree but whose contributions have been no less impactful,” she said.
“Communication, of course, is my passion, which is why it troubles me when I hear that many Gen Ys and Zs wear cynicism almost like a badge. I’d like to see them and all you graduates here today install a Sat Nav-For-Life with a SIRI that steers you down a route that is life affirming as opposed to life negating, which is where I fear your cynicism is taking you.”
Buttrose was the youngest ever Editor of The Australian Women's Weekly, the founding editor of Cleo, the first woman to ever edit a major metropolitan newspaper in Australia as Editor-in-Chief of the Sydney Daily and Sunday Telegraph, and the first female director of News Limited.
“Ita is an exceptional Australian,” said Vice-Chancellor, Professor S. Bruce Dowton. “Twice voted as the country’s most admired woman, it is a great privilege for our graduates to hear from a leader who has influenced so many areas of business, media and public health, as they head out on their own careers.”
Born in Sydney, Buttrose left formal education aged 15 to pursue her passion as a journalist. Her first role as a copy girl at the Australian Women’s Weekly lead to a position as a cadet journalist on The Daily Telegraph and The Sunday Telegraph, where at only 17 years of age she landed her first byline, covering the 1959 Australian tour by Princess Alexandra.
At age 23 Buttrose was appointed women’s editor of the Telegraphs, and two years later began a role overseas for the UK’s Women’s Own magazine, before returning to Australia in 1970.
Her most famous role began in 1972, as the founding editor of Cleo magazine. An instant success, she remained at the helm until 1975 when she was appointed editor of the Packers' flagship magazine, the Australian Women's Weekly. She subsequently became editor-in-chief of both publications, before being appointed Publisher of Australian Consolidated Press Women's Division in 1978.
In 1981 Buttrose took the role of Editor-in-Chief of the Daily and Sunday Telegraphs, making her the first female editor of a major metropolitan newspaper in Australia.
Buttrose founded Capricorn Publishing and The Good Life Publishing Company, created ITA Magazine and has been involved with publishing work for such clients as David Jones, Telstra, and the ATO. She has written 11 very successful books including her best-selling autobiography A Passionate Life.
She is the current National President of Alzheimer's Australia, Patron of the Macular Disease Foundation, and Emeritus Director of Arthritis Australia. She was made an officer of the Order of Australia for her services to the community, especially in the field of public health education when she spearheaded Australia's HIV/AIDS Education Program, an OBE for her services to journalism, and a Centenary Medal for business leadership.
