Respected radio presenter, journalist and political correspondent Fran Kelly will deliver the 2024 Andrew Olle Media Lecture at W Sydney on Friday 18 October.
Fran is currently the host of Saturday Extra on Radio National and previously hosted RN Breakfast for a remarkable 17 years between 2005 and 2021.
Of the opportunity, Fran said “I’m thrilled to have been asked to deliver the Andrew Olle lecture.
“As someone who’s spent most of my career in radio, its humbling to be associated with Andrew, a man who brought such warmth, intelligence, and journalistic integrity to the airwaves and had such a deep connection and affection with his audience. As a young radio journalist just starting out at the ABC, Andrew Olle represented a journalistic standard and style to strive for”.
ABC Head of Audio Ben Latimer said: “Fran exemplifies the ideals we honour in the Andrew Olle Media Lecture.
“For more than 20 years, Fran has been a pioneering presenter at the forefront of holding the powerful to account and her career is testament to her skill, determination and her ability to adapt.”
About Fran Kelly
Fran is a respected radio presenter, current affairs journalist and political correspondent.
She has held positions including chief political correspondent for the AM and PM programs, political editor of the 7.30 Report and ABC Europe correspondent based in London.
In 2005 she became host of Radio National’s agenda-setting Breakfast program, a seat she filled until 2021.
She then took on a new role hosting her own TV talk show Frankly talking to some of Australia’s biggest names and brains. Fran also created and co-presents political podcast The Party Room with Patricia Karvelas and presented a special six-episode podcast series Yours Queerly.
Since 2024 Fran has presented Saturday Extra on ABC Radio National.
About the Andrew Olle Media Lecture
The Andrew Olle Media Lecture is held in honour of one of the ABC’s iconic broadcasters, Andrew Olle and will raise funds for The Brain Cancer Collective. It will be delivered at a black-tie dinner at W Sydney, Darling Harbour on Friday 18 October. ABC Radio Sydney Drive presenter Richard Glover will host the evening.
The event also serves as an opportunity to announce the Andrew Olle Media Scholarship winner.
Previous speakers include Leigh Sales AM, Ita Buttrose AC OBE, Peter FitzSimons, Lisa Wilkinson, Caroline Wilson, Joseph Kahn, Waleed Aly, Helen McCabe, Kate McClymont, Mark Colvin, Laurie Oakes, Ray Martin AM, John Hartigan, John Doyle AM, Lachlan Murdoch, Kerry Stokes AC and Jana Wendt.
Tickets can be purchased here.