Journalist Caroline Jones AO has passed away aged 84, the ABC has confirmed.
In a career with the ABC spanning more than 40 years, she broke barriers as the first woman reporter on This Day Tonight, and was the first woman to anchor Four Corners (1972 – 1981).
Australian Story launched in 1996, and Jones was a contributor and presenter right from the very beginning. She remained with the program until December 2016, when she announced she would leave the ABC and step down from her role on Australian Story.
In 1988 Caroline Jones was made an Officer of the Order of Australia, AO, and in 1997 she was voted one of Australia’s Living Treasures.
Caitlin Shea, executive producer of Australian Story posted a statement earlier:
“It’s with great sadness that we announce that Caroline Jones, our dearly loved presenter of Australian Story for many years, has died.
Caroline passed away after a fall at her Sydney home.
She was 84.
Caroline’s contribution to Australian Story is immeasurable. The program wouldn’t be where it is today without her.
As a team we are remembering Caroline’s grace, warmth, and utter professionalism.
Even after her retirement, she would regularly make contact to cheer us on from the sidelines.
And she always promised she would do one last introduction for us.
Caroline was a pioneer in journalism, a trailblazer for women.
We just wish she would have let us tell her Australian Story. She was truly deserving of it.
Vale Caroline Jones.”