Ita Buttrose AO OBE (b. 1942) is a businesswoman, journalist, author, broadcaster and professional speaker. Her media career began when she joined Australian Consolidated Press as a copygirl at the age of fifteen. She went on to become editor of the women's pages of Sydney's Daily Telegraph, the founding editor of Cleo, editor of the Australian Women's Weekly, and founding editor of Ita. She has hosted prime-time radio shows on Sydney stations 2UE, 2KY and 2GB. As Chairperson of the National Advisory Committee on AIDS from 1984 to 1988, she spearheaded Australia's national AIDS education programme. She has held executive positions with many of Australia's major companies and has twice been voted Australia's Most Admired Woman. John Williams photographed Ita Buttrose in her office at News Ltd, Sydney, shortly after she had left Australian Consolidated Press.
Purchased 1999
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On one level The Companion talks about the most famous and frontline Australians, but on another it tells us about ourselves.
First Ladies profiles women who have achieved noteworthy firsts over the past 100 years.
Over the last five years the National Portrait Gallery has developed a collection of portrait photographs that reflects both the strength and diversity of Australian achievement as well as the talents of our photographers.
