Jeff McMullen
Encyclopedia
Jeffrey John "Jeff" McMullen AM
, is an Australia
n journalist. He was a foreign correspondent for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation
for almost two decades (1966–1984), a reporter for the investigative television program Four Corners and later joined the Australian version of 60 Minutes (1984–2000). In 2007 he hosted a 33 part discussion series on ABC1
titled Difference of Opinion
. McMullen graduated from Macquarie University
with a Bachelor of Arts. He has been awarded three honorary degrees, a Doctorate of Journalism from Central Queensland University
a Doctorate of Letters from Newcastle University and a Doctor of Letters
from Macquarie University.
Throughout his professional life McMullen has written, filmed and campaigned around the world to improve the health, education and human rights of Indigenous people.
He is the Honorary CEO of Ian Thorpe
’s Fountain for Youth, developing early learning programs and the Literacy Backpack project in 22 remote Australian Aboriginal communities over the past decade.
As a Director of AIME (Australian Indigenous Mentoring Experience), McMullen has helped grow this highly successful education movement connecting university undergraduates as mentors for Aboriginal high-school students in urban areas. McMullen is also a Director of Engineering Aid Australia, a philanthropic organisation whose primary initiative is the Indigenous Australian Engineering Summer School (IAESS)operating in New South Wales and also in Western Australia at Curtin University, which aims to build opportunities for Aboriginal high school students to pursue tertiary studies and subsequently careers in engineering.
As a Trustee of the Jimmy Little
Foundation, McMullen also works with Aboriginal doctors and medical services to improve dialysis and introduce the nutrition program, "Uncle Jimmy’s Thumbs Up", aimed at reduction and prevention of the epidemic of chronic illness.
He has chaired the council meetings of the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation and joined their advocacy in Federal Parliament. At the Prime Minister’s 2020 Summit Jeff McMullen was among the 100 people focussed on ‘Closing the Gaps’ in Indigenous life expectancy and improving the well being of all Aboriginal communities.
He is Patron of the University of Canberra
’s Healthpact Centre developing health promotion and social equality programs, especially for Aboriginal children.
In 2001, he released his biography A Life of Extremes – Journeys and Encounters. It examines ideas gleaned from some of the world’s bravest individuals contributing to a brighter future for the human family. The late Australian novelist, Thea Astley described the book as "a work of perception and reason...beautifully written, compulsive reading". The author and archaeologist and film maker, John Romer wrote : "An authentic twentieth-century saga...this book is a witness to the joys and cruelty of our modern age."
In 2006 McMullen was awarded an Order of Australia
(AM), for service to journalism and efforts to raise awareness of economic, social and human rights issues in Australia and overseas, as well as service to charity.
Variety, the Children's Charity
declared McMullen Humanitarian of the Year for 2006. He directed the $10,000 award into the Literacy Backpacks in the Jawoyn communities to enhance this early learning project. [www.ianthorpesfountainforyouth.com.au]
At Tully
in North Queensland McMullen has worked with Aboriginal elder, Dr Ernie Grant and Sonya Jeffrey in growing the cultural education project at Echo Creek south of Cairns.
At Beswick Falls, Northern Territory, McMullen is Patron of the annual Walking with Spirits festival which celebrates the ancient Culture of Aboriginal people in this region.
Order of Australia
The Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, "for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service"...
, is an Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n journalist. He was a foreign correspondent for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Australian Broadcasting Corporation
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation, commonly referred to as "the ABC" , is Australia's national public broadcaster...
for almost two decades (1966–1984), a reporter for the investigative television program Four Corners and later joined the Australian version of 60 Minutes (1984–2000). In 2007 he hosted a 33 part discussion series on ABC1
ABC1
ABC1 was a United Kingdom based television channel from Disney using the branding of the Disney owned American network, ABC.The channel initially launched exclusively on the British digital terrestrial television platform Freeview on 27 September 2004. On 10 December 2004 it was launched on...
titled Difference of Opinion
Difference of Opinion
Difference of Opinion is an Australian television program that was produced and broadcast by ABC1. It began at the start of 2007, hosted by ex-60 Minutes journalist Jeff McMullen. It is a debating program....
. McMullen graduated from Macquarie University
Macquarie University
Macquarie University is an Australian public teaching and research university located in Sydney, with its main campus situated in Macquarie Park. Founded in 1964 by the New South Wales Government, it was the third university to be established in the metropolitan area of Sydney...
with a Bachelor of Arts. He has been awarded three honorary degrees, a Doctorate of Journalism from Central Queensland University
Central Queensland University
CQUniversity is an Australian public university based in Queensland. Its main campus is in North Rockhampton Queensland. However, it also has campuses in Bundaberg, Emerald, Gladstone and Mackay, as well as operations throughout Asia-Pacific. For instance, Melior Business School is one of its...
a Doctorate of Letters from Newcastle University and a Doctor of Letters
Doctor of Letters
Doctor of Letters is a university academic degree, often a higher doctorate which is frequently awarded as an honorary degree in recognition of outstanding scholarship or other merits.-Commonwealth:...
from Macquarie University.
Throughout his professional life McMullen has written, filmed and campaigned around the world to improve the health, education and human rights of Indigenous people.
He is the Honorary CEO of Ian Thorpe
Ian Thorpe
Ian James Thorpe OAM , nicknamed the Thorpedo and Thorpey, is an Australian swimmer who specialises in freestyle, but also competes in backstroke and the individual medley. He has won five Olympic gold medals, the most won by any Australian, and with three gold and two silver medals, was the most...
’s Fountain for Youth, developing early learning programs and the Literacy Backpack project in 22 remote Australian Aboriginal communities over the past decade.
As a Director of AIME (Australian Indigenous Mentoring Experience), McMullen has helped grow this highly successful education movement connecting university undergraduates as mentors for Aboriginal high-school students in urban areas. McMullen is also a Director of Engineering Aid Australia, a philanthropic organisation whose primary initiative is the Indigenous Australian Engineering Summer School (IAESS)operating in New South Wales and also in Western Australia at Curtin University, which aims to build opportunities for Aboriginal high school students to pursue tertiary studies and subsequently careers in engineering.
As a Trustee of the Jimmy Little
Jimmy Little
Jimmy Little AO , is an Australian Aboriginal musician, singer, songwriter and guitarist, whose career has spanned six decades. For many years he was the only Aboriginal star on the Australian music scene...
Foundation, McMullen also works with Aboriginal doctors and medical services to improve dialysis and introduce the nutrition program, "Uncle Jimmy’s Thumbs Up", aimed at reduction and prevention of the epidemic of chronic illness.
He has chaired the council meetings of the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation and joined their advocacy in Federal Parliament. At the Prime Minister’s 2020 Summit Jeff McMullen was among the 100 people focussed on ‘Closing the Gaps’ in Indigenous life expectancy and improving the well being of all Aboriginal communities.
He is Patron of the University of Canberra
University of Canberra
Over the years the Stone Day program has gradually become larger and larger, taking up a whole week and now Stonefest is one of Australia's most popular music festivals. The first foundation celebrations were held in 1971. In 1973 Stone Day celebrations were held over two days, which was expanded...
’s Healthpact Centre developing health promotion and social equality programs, especially for Aboriginal children.
In 2001, he released his biography A Life of Extremes – Journeys and Encounters. It examines ideas gleaned from some of the world’s bravest individuals contributing to a brighter future for the human family. The late Australian novelist, Thea Astley described the book as "a work of perception and reason...beautifully written, compulsive reading". The author and archaeologist and film maker, John Romer wrote : "An authentic twentieth-century saga...this book is a witness to the joys and cruelty of our modern age."
In 2006 McMullen was awarded an Order of Australia
Order of Australia
The Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, "for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service"...
(AM), for service to journalism and efforts to raise awareness of economic, social and human rights issues in Australia and overseas, as well as service to charity.
Variety, the Children's Charity
Variety, the Children's Charity
Variety, the Children's Charity is an organisation founded in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on October 10, 1927, when a group of eleven men involved in show business set up a social club which they named the "Variety Club". On Christmas Eve 1928, a small baby was left on the steps the Sheridan Square...
declared McMullen Humanitarian of the Year for 2006. He directed the $10,000 award into the Literacy Backpacks in the Jawoyn communities to enhance this early learning project. [www.ianthorpesfountainforyouth.com.au]
At Tully
Tully
Tully is a surname of Irish origin. The surname itself and its variants include; Tally, MacTully, Tilly and Flood, all of which can derive from several different unrelated Irish families such as; Ó Maoltuile, Taithligh, Mac Maoltuile, Ó Taithligh, and Mac an Tuile...
in North Queensland McMullen has worked with Aboriginal elder, Dr Ernie Grant and Sonya Jeffrey in growing the cultural education project at Echo Creek south of Cairns.
At Beswick Falls, Northern Territory, McMullen is Patron of the annual Walking with Spirits festival which celebrates the ancient Culture of Aboriginal people in this region.