Community Alumni Award
Julie McCrossin has built an admirable career out of talking to people and stimulating thought-provoking conversations about things that matter. The highly regarded Australian broadcaster, journalist, and trainer has promoted social justice across areas including health, the law, and child welfare for over four decades.
Growing up in a home full of lively conversations encouraged Ms. McCrossin to take an active interest in news and current affairs and taught her the value of lifelong learning.
While studying for an arts degree and Diploma of Education at Sydney University in the early 1970s, Ms McCrossin became active in women’s and gay liberation. Her activism helped the LGBTQIA+ community make significant progress toward equality – including the decriminalisation of homosexuality in NSW in 1984. Since then, Ms McCrossin has continued to be vocal about her faith as a lesbian woman, pushing for equality and helping those grappling with sexual identity issues.
Her experience with the media through the liberation movements led to the start of her broadcasting career. Known for her empathy, humour, and intelligence, she gave others a voice through a range of popular shows including:
• Breakfast and Thank God Its Friday at 702 ABC Radio Sydney
• Life Matters, Arts National and the Coming Out Show at ABC Radio National
• Compass, Good News Week, and Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade at ABC TV
Ms McCrossin credits learning the value of clear, concise communications to her time at UTS, where she completed a Graduate Diploma in Adult Education in the early 1990s. Ms McCrossin sees literacy as a social justice issue. Since completing her diploma at UTS, she has taught adults with limited literacy, including migrant women and people with acquired brain injury. Over the years Ms. McCrossin has lectured at various universities including UTS, Macquarie University, and UNSW. Today, she is an ambassador for Adult Learning Australia.
Currently, Ms. McCrossin uses her teaching and media experience to make an impact for cancer patients. Since being diagnosed with oropharyngeal cancer in 2013, she has worked tirelessly to raise awareness and advocate for better outcomes for people living with the disease. She is an active ambassador for Targeting Cancer, Head and Neck Cancer Australia, TROG Cancer Research, and the Cancer Council.
In 2019, Ms McCrossin was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia for her significant service to broadcast media and her LGBTQIA+ advocacy roles.
I remember the gay activism of the 1970s and early 80s as a time of trauma, but also of comradeship and cathartic release. I continue to be active for full equality in this area as there are still many families that struggle to accept their LGBTQIA+ children for cultural or religious reasons.