Today I was privileged to pay tribute to Jill Emberson. This is what I said:

I feel privileged to recognise the extraordinary and influential life of ABC Newcastle broadcaster Jill Emberson who died on 12th December at the age of 60 after a four-year battle with ovarian cancer.

Jill was the first voice that many of the people of my electorate of Charlestown heard in the mornings, as she presented the ABC Newcastle's Morning program for seven years from 2009, before she was diagnosed with terminal ovarian cancer in 2016.

Her passion for telling the stories of Indigenous people led to the creation of a podcast, entitled 'Meet the Mob', and she was a Walkley Award finalist for her radio series 'Hooked on Heroin' about the heroin crisis in the Hunter. After undergoing two years of gruelling treatment, Jill returned to work in 2018 to create the award-winning podcast, 'Still Jill', a raw and unflinching look behind the scenes of her cancer journey.

Jill Emberson was a fierce campaigner for issues such as indigenous rights, drug awareness and women's equality. She was also a passionate and successful fighter for ovarian cancer research funding.

The community gathered in Newcastle City Hall on 23rd January 2020 to remember this remarkable woman.