Ita Buttrose hopes her new role as chair of the ABC will help fight ageism in Australia

She’s only the second woman to be appointed chair of the ABC, but Ita Buttrose said she was more concerned about ageism when she accepted the prestigious position.

In an interview with The Australian Women’s Weekly this month, the 77-year-old media mogul said she hopes her new appointment will inspire other older women.

‘I hope my recent appointment as chair of the ABC will encourage other older women to realise there are still mountains to climb and you shouldn’t put a blinker on yourself,’ she told the publication.

Boss lady: She’s only the second woman to be appointed chair of the ABC, but Ita Buttrose said she was more concerned about ageism when she accepted the prestigious position. Pictured at the press conference announcing her appointment in Sydney in February

‘I always say to people, don’t put blinkers on yourself. Don’t put blinkers on when you’re a young woman, but you shouldn’t put them on when you’re older either. 

‘Just because you’re older doesn’t mean you’re not accomplished. It doesn’t mean you can’t achieve. You’ve got to believe in yourself.’ 

In February, it was announced Ita had signed a five-year contract as chair of the ABC following a long and illustrious career in the Australia media.

‘I hope my recent appointment as chair of the ABC will encourage other older women to realise there are still mountains to climb,’ she told The Australian Women’s Weekly. Pictured at the AO Inspirational Series Brunch in Melbourne in January

She is only the second woman to be chosen for the position, after Dame Leonie Kramer in 1982.

And after defying gender stereotypes time and time again throughout her career, Ita believes her latest role proves people shouldn’t be limited by age either. 

The former editor has been vocal in the past about ageism, saying she believes Australia needs to revise its attitude towards the ageing population.

Standing confident: ‘Just because you’re older doesn’t mean you’re not accomplished. It doesn’t mean you can’t achieve. You’ve got to believe in yourself,’ she said. Pictured at the launch of the Australia Day program in Sydney in January 2014

In a 2014 interview with The Sydney Morning Herald, Ita said older Australians should be revered by the greater working community.

‘Given our ageing population and declining welfare purse, we should be encouraging mature age workers to stay in the workforce, not precluding them, and valuing them for the knowledge, wisdom and experience they can bring to the workplace,’ she said at the time.

‘It’s time we stopped thinking that life stops at 65 and recognise that older people make an important contribution to our society.’  

Working hard: In a 2014 interview with The Sydney Morning Herald , Ita said older Australians should be revered by the greater working community. Pictured at the Virgin Australia Melbourne Fashion Festival in Melbourne in March 2018