The mother of the youngest complainant in the Alan Jones trial became emotional when shown a note from her son suggesting an incident occurred at the broadcaster's Fitzroy Falls residence. She admitted to having faith in Jones, who was then entrusted with her teenage son. The prosecution questioned her continued contact with Jones after her son disclosed the alleged assault. Guardian Australia's Amanda Meade discussed the week's courtroom developments with Nour Haydar. The trial continues to unfold with significant emotional testimony.
A mother has told a Sydney court she was comfortable with her 17-year-old son spending a weekend with broadcaster Alan Jones before he allegedly indecently assaulted the teenager. The boy had been invited to Jones's property after years of correspondence, and the mother said Jones had supported the family with money and contacts. She said her son later showed signs of distress and gave her a note. Jones denies the charges against him, which include one count of indecent assault involving the teenager and 20 charges involving four other men.
A mother has told a trial she trusted broadcaster Alan Jones as a mentor to her son, who was 17 at the time. Mr Jones, 85, has pleaded not guilty to 21 counts of indecent assault and sexual touching against five males between 2003 and 2020. One complainant alleges the radio host kissed him and touched his buttocks during a visit to Mr Jones's farm in the Southern Highlands. The mother broke down in the witness box while reading her son's letter, which said something had happened at the farm.
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Veteran radio host Ewan Dixon has died in hospital, months after he was seriously injured in a horse riding accident near Melbourne. He died at Angliss Hospital in Upper Ferntree Gully on September 24. His death was only recently made public by his care worker, Jason Davis. Former colleague Gavin Wood shared the news on Facebook, saying Dixon had fought hard to recover but his injuries were too severe. Born in Toowoomba, Dixon worked as an announcer on radio stations in Brisbane and Melbourne, including B105, Gold 104.3 and Triple M Melbourne.
Adelaide broadcaster Peter Godfrey has died at the age of 75, with colleagues and listeners from Five AA and Radio Adelaide sharing tributes. Godfrey began his broadcasting career at Radio Adelaide as a breakfast announcer. At the end of 2010 he moved to Five AA, where he took on the overnight presenting role. The Wire's Thomas Koutis reported on the tributes, which have continued to arrive from those who worked with him and listened to his programs.
Tributes have flowed for the late ABC broadcaster Richard Morecroft, who was praised for his passion for wildlife rescue and advocacy. Morecroft, one of Australia’s most celebrated news anchors, was a devoted foster parent to a baby flying fox named Archie in the late 1980s. He bottle-fed and cared for the bat, even keeping it under his shirt and desk while presenting the news. Morecroft’s time with Archie became a key point of celebration after his death, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese highlighting his 'unyielding humanity' and love for the natural environment.
Tributes have flowed for former SBS host Richard Morecroft, who died aged 70 on the NSW south coast. Morecroft, who spent nearly 20 years leading the ABC's 7pm NSW news bulletin, was remembered as a generational talent. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described him as a beloved part of Australian life, while SBS Managing Director Jane Palfreyman said the broadcaster was deeply saddened by his passing. Morecroft also hosted the quiz show Letters and Numbers on SBS and ABC's children's current affairs program Behind the News.
