Judith Whelan, a former editor of The Sydney Morning Herald and senior executive at the ABC, has been remembered as a trailblazer for women in media and a fierce advocate for quality journalism following her death on Wednesday afternoon.
Whelan was one of only three women to become editor of the Herald in its 193-year history. She also edited the Good Weekend for seven years and is widely regarded as one of the magazine’s most dynamic and successful leaders.
Former Herald editor Judith Whelan in an afternoon news conference in 2015. Credit: Wolter Peeters
Whelan died at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital surrounded by husband Christopher Henning, daughter Sophia and son Patrick. She had been battling cancer for several years.
Herald editor Bevan Shields said Whelan was adored by the newsroom.
“Judith was a wonderful editor, colleague and friend,” he said. “She was at the Herald for more than three decades and remains part of our DNA. We are heartbroken by her death.
“She had a finely tuned news radar but also revelled in journalism that could entertain and inform readers. She was a natural leader and a beautiful person. Our thoughts are with Chris, Sophia and Patrick.”
Lisa Davies, the Herald editor between 2017 and 2021, said Whelan had “journalism in her veins”.
From left: Former editors Amanda Wilson, Lisa Davies and Judith Whelan pictured in 2021 to mark the Herald’s 190th birthday.Credit: James Brickwood
“She had the compassionate touch of someone who genuinely cared; she was fiercely competitive but would relish the opportunity to cuddle a colleague’s new baby,” Davies said.
“She was also a trailblazer for women in media, who found her greatest satisfaction in spotting talent and helping them achieve great things - we are all the better for her leadership and love.”
Whelan began her career in 1985 as a cadet on the Herald and rose quickly through the ranks.
A gifted journalist with an obsessive eye for detail, Judith became one of the Herald’s most well regarded health writers, as well as possibly its youngest foreign correspondent when she took a posting in New Zealand in her 20s. This was followed by a further stint reporting for the Herald from Europe. Her work was highly regarded, and she was a Walkley finalist on a number of occasions.
Judith Whelan at an ABC press conference in 2020. Credit: Ben Rushton
She was editor of the Good Weekend from 2004 to 2011, Saturday editor between 2011 and 2013, and then news director and later editor of the Herald until 2016.
She joined the ABC that year as head of spoken content, overseeing RN, Grandstand and capital city radio stations. She was then the ABC’s head of specialist content before being appointed director of regional and local, managing capital city radio stations, rural and regional teams in 48 locations around Australia, regional and local screen content including Gardening Australia, Backroads and Landline, sport, live events and emergency broadcasting.
She was appointed editorial director of the ABC in February 2023, continuing to report directly to the managing director David Anderson.
Anderson said Whelan was loved and respected across the national broadcaster.
“Judith was a terrific colleague and friend, caring deeply about the people she worked with and meeting every challenge with warmth, compassion and wit,” he said.
“She always had the instincts that made her such a formidable journalist. She carried with her a commitment to truth and accountability and instilled these values in those who worked with her.
“A valued mentor to younger journalists, Judith nurtured while leading by example. Judith was tough but caring and wanted those around her to succeed. Young reporters knew Judith would champion their work if the story needed to be told.
“Judith spoke her mind and was often the rare voice that called out the truth that needed to be said, regardless of the views of those around her. She was fearless and never took a backwards step throughout her career or when faced with the cancer she has fought in recent years.”
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