Sports broadcaster and former ABC Bonner Committee Chair, Dr. Charlie King AM, has announced his retirement from the ABC after more than three decades serving audiences in the Top End and across Australia.
Charlie has been a central voice in Territory sport, as presenter of the local Grandstand program and as the first Indigenous Australian to commentate at an Olympic Games at Beijing in 2008.
In addition to this, Charlie served as Chair of the ABC Bonner Committee for more than a decade, playing a pivotal role in strengthening the organisation’s commitment to First Nations staff, culture and leadership.
In 2019, Charlie was inducted into the AFL Northern Territory Hall of Fame (Media) and named Northern Territory Senior Australian of the Year, recognising not only his distinguished broadcasting career but his long‑standing advocacy against domestic and family violence. Through his NO MORE campaign, Charlie worked with sporting codes and communities across the NT to promote zero tolerance of violence, while also spending more than 20 years volunteering to support men in contact with the justice system. His work has been recognised with an Order of Australia.
Charlie said:
“I have always been proud to work at the ABC. I grew up listening to the ABC, and never in my wildest dreams did I imagine I would go on to have such a long and rewarding career here. From the very beginning, I felt supported and welcomed as part of the ABC family.
“Being involved in the Olympic and Commonwealth Games was both a thrill and a great honour, experiences I will always cherish. As a Gurindji man, I was deeply aware of the responsibility I carried. I wanted to lead the way for more Aboriginal people to find their place at the ABC, and that motivated me to present myself in a way that reflected the importance and value of our presence in the organisation.
“I am particularly proud of the work of the Bonner Committee, what we achieved together and what continues to grow from that foundation. My time at the ABC also gave me the privilege to engage with communities on a wide range of issues beyond sport, and to help ensure that the voices of Aboriginal people were heard and respected by a broader audience.
“After many rewarding years, I leave with a deep sense of gratitude and pride in what we have accomplished together.”
ABC Director First Nations Strategy and Bundjalung woman Kelly Williams, said:
“The ABC experienced significant change during Dr Charlie King’s tenure as Chair of the Bonner Committee. As the ABC’s peak Indigenous advisory group, the Committee benefited greatly from Charlie’s leadership and counsel, which helped pave the way for many Indigenous employees to showcase their leadership. In recognition of his outstanding service, Dr King became the first employee to be appointed a lifetime member of the ABC’s Bonner Committee.”
ABC Managing Director Hugh Marks also paid tribute:
“Charlie King leaves the ABC with a legacy defined by integrity, leadership and a deep connection to Top End communities. Through his journalism and service, including his tenure as Chair of the Bonner Committee, Charlie made a lasting and valued contribution. We thank him sincerely for his commitment and wish him every success and happiness in the future.”