Joan Kirner Social Justice Oration
Courageous, ceaseless, clever, compassionate - over many years, and in many theatres, The Hon. Joan Kirner AC fought for community, equality and social justice.
Joan was perhaps best known for her work as the front-woman for the grassroots campaign for educational reform in Victoria in the 1970s, and later as that state's first female Premier. She was also prominent in the nation-changing struggles for social inclusion, women's equality, environmental protection, and community-driven community development.
Having played an integral role in the development of the social fabric of Australia, Joan remained to her final days an enduring community activist and champion for the forgotten and the downtrodden.
We're excited to announce that Australian media icon Ray Martin AM will be presenting the 2025 Joan Kirner Social Justice Oration in Melbourne this October.
Ray Martin is one of Australia’s most trusted storytellers. From a childhood shaped by hardship and resilience, he rose to become a five-time Gold Logie–winning journalist whose career has spanned over fifty years. Beginning as an ABC cadet in 1965, Ray went on to report from the frontlines of history - the civil rights movement, the Vietnam War, and the moon landing - before helping to launch Sixty Minutes, the most influential current affairs program in Australian television.
Beyond the camera, Ray has been a tireless advocate for fairness and equality. A founding member of the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation, former chair of the Australian Indigenous Education Foundation, and long-time supporter of the Fred Hollows Foundation, he has used his profile to champion Indigenous education, health equity, and human rights. His award-winning documentaries Is Australia Racist?, First Contact, and Look Me in the Eye, challenge Australians to confront prejudice and find common ground.
Whether interviewing world leaders, telling the stories of everyday Australians, or standing alongside communities seeking justice, Ray brings integrity, empathy, and a deep belief that every voice matters. His life’s work reflects the values at the heart of the Joan Kirner Social Justice Oration: courage, compassion, and a commitment to making Australia fairer for all.
If it is a major event, political or otherwise - or a superstar that glowed brightly anytime in the past fifty years, then Ray Martin was probably there and has a yarn or two to tell you.
The 2025 Joan Kirner Social Justice Oration will be streamed live and free at 6.15pm AEDT on Wednesday, 22 October. Register for the free session by clicking here.
Mr Ray Martin AM appears by arrangement with Claxton Speakers International.