Ita

"You know you've made it when, like Madonna, Kylie and George W, the world is on first name terms with you. Ita Buttrose reached that status decades ago and for much of the time since she's been the most famous woman in the Australian media. She ran our most successful magazine through its golden period, showing an unerring feel for her readers' lives. She worked for every major media company and mogul in the country. Then, finally, she went out on her own, launching a magazine named after who else but herself. Through it all, that name's been more than a calling card, it's been a brand, a mission statement, a promise and a guarantee." Andrew Denton

I had the distinct honour and pleasure yesterday to meet and photograph Ita Buttrose, the twice voted Australia's Most Admired Woman. She was a publisher, editor, Managing Director, board member and still is a media celebrity that has done and seen it all. She knows the rich and famous, the infamous, royalty, and people from all walks of life. It may also be appropriate to add that for most Australians, migrants excluded, everybody knows who Ita is. It was a great thrill to meet this charming icon of this nation. I found her to be extremely warm and gracious, imbued with a good sense of humour and gifted with a genuine care for others.

Through a series of mixups, not related to me, Ita had missed the turnoff to the studio and had commenced walking there from the place she had eventually parked in. As panic ensued around the studio, I offered to go and meet Ita and bring her safely to the studio in my car. The production co-ordinators jumped in as we drove to find Ms. Buttrose. We found her, she hopped in my car and after the shoot was done I returned her to the car park. No particular deal I guess for some, but I couldn't wipe the grin from off my face. I feel very fortunate to be a part of the things I am doing of late, and have to pinch myself on the odd occasion to make sure that it is not a dream.

I was asked to photograph some TV presenters for a television station and that in itself was a great thrill, but Ita was the highlight for me. Sorry to the other presenters who are also famous!!! More on the others another time.

I wanted to show you a film clip by Australian rock band Cold Chisel who wrote a song about Ita called, Ita!


The Lyrics to the song are here

Every night when I get home
I settle down to prime time limbo
When all the boys are gathered around
Shouting Ita's on TV
And though the roaches are thick on the ground
Somebody goes to close my window
Keep the noise of the city down
Get a dose of integrity

Every week, in every home
She got wholesome news for the family
I believe, I believe, in what she says
Yes I do
I believe, I believe, at the end of the day
Her magazine'll get me through

Ita's tongue never touches her lips
She could always be my godmother
And though the desk-top hides her hips
My imagination's strong
She's the sweetest thing I've ever seen
I'd like to take her out to dinner
But when I think about the places I've been
I'd probably hold my fork all wrong

Every day and every night
She's the only one we can depend upon
I believe, I believe, in what she says
Yes I do
I believe, I believe, at the end of the day
Her magazine'll get me through

To every housewife through the land
There is no-one else they can depend upon
How could I not believe, when Ita tells me too

The next clip is a send up of Ita by a comedy show here in Australia. It was done tastefully and still brings a smile to me.



The last clip is from a morning show called Sunrise, which is akin to it's US counterpart show. The clip deals with a couple of topics to which Ita is asked to contribute. I have included this clip here for the international visitors to the blog who may wish to see the real Ita.



Lastly the following is a bio from Wikipedia.

Ita Clare Buttrose AO OBE (born 17 January 1942) is an Australian journalist and businesswoman and is arguably the most famous and well connected woman in Australia. She is probably best -known as the celebrity founding editor of Cleo (magazine), a high-circulation magazine aimed at young single women that was ground-breakingly frank about sexuality (and, in its infancy, featured nude male centrefolds), and later as the editor of the more sedate Australian Women's Weekly.

Ita was born at Mittagong, New South Wales in 1942. She worked as a journalist before taking the Cleo appointment in 1972, a position she held until 1975, and was the Weekly's editor in 1975-6 and then was editor-in-chief of both publications from 1976 until 1981.

She has also been a radio broadcaster, editor of the Sydney tabloids the Daily Telegraph and Sunday Telegraph in the early 1980s, served on the board of News Limited, among many other prominent roles. Amongst other roles, Ita currently works on the professional speakers' circuit, appears on television and still contributes to many publications around the country.

Another prominent role was as chairperson of the National Advisory Committee on AIDS (NACAIDS) from 1984 until 1987. On one notable occasion, she appeared personally in a nationwide TV campaign to explain that donating blood at a blood bank did not pose a risk of catching AIDS (the fear of which caused a significant drop in donations). Australia's early AIDS public information campaign was widely regarded as one of the best in the world, and contributed to a very low infection rate.

Ita's slight lisp was instantly familiar in the 1970s and 1980s, she became the subject of televison send up shows, mostly done in good taste and in subtle admiration. She even became the subject of a hit song by then Australian rock band Cold Chisel.

She was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1979, and became an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in 1988. In 2001, Buttrose was also awarded the Centenary Medal.

.......and she sat in my car!!!!!

It was a pleasure to meet her and I hope it won't be the last time.