Patricia Edgar

Dr. Edgar has long been at the forefront in the development of children's television in Australia. Her exceptional contribution to children's education via the medium of television is nothing short of inspirational.

She holds a BA and a BEd from the University of Melbourne, a Master of Arts from Stanford University and a Ph.D. from La Trobe University where she was appointed in 1970 as the first Chairperson of the Centre for the Study of Educational Communication and Media. She is also the author of seven books.

The Victorian Task Force Director for the establishment of the Australian Children's Television Foundation in the early eighties, Dr. Edgar became the ACTF's director upon its incorporation in 1982. Prior to accepting that position, she was the first chairperson of the Children's Program Committee, an advisory committee to the Australian Broadcasting Tribunal on children's television. Her expertise has also seen her serve on a number of film/media related government committees and from 1988 until 1995 she was deputy chairman of the Australian Film Finance Corporation Limited.

As director of the ACTF, Dr. Edgar has been the responsible producer for the ACTF's award-winning $85 million production slate that has seen its programs sold to 101 countries. In 1995 she also conceived and hosted the first World Summit on Television and Children; a seminal event involving 637 delegates from 71 countries that led to like international forums. The 3rd World Summit on Television for Children will take place in Athens in 2001.

In 1986 Dr. Edgar was made a Member of the General Division of the Order of Australia for services to children's television and the media, and in 1992 received the Award of the Archbishop of Sydney Citation on World Communications. Additional local and international honors have followed, including the Australian College of Education Medal in 1998 for her outstanding contribution to education through the medium of television.

Filmography

YOLNGU BOY Three boys, two laws, one country ... YOLNGU BOY takes us on a journey with three teenage boys as they leave childhood behind and pursue their individual destinies...