Tributes flow as veteran ABC journalist, ‘trailblazing’ radio presented Julie Copeland dies at age 85

Tributes have poured in for a veteran ABC journalist and “trailblazing” radio presenter following news of her death. Judith Copeland, who first started working with 3AW in Melbourne, worked in broadcast with the ABC in the 1970s and 80s, working on programs The Coming Out Show and radio program First Edition. Ms Copeland died in January at the age 85. She’s been remembered as a “a respected colleague, treasured friend, mentor and teacher” in the ABC’s coverage, written by journalist Daniel Browning. She was described as a “master practitioner of the craft”, with Copeland having hosted Arts National, Arts Talk and Sunday Morning Arts with Julie Copeland throughout her illustrious career. She later went on to host the politics program The Europeans. Tributes have begun to flow for Copeland on social media. “Very sad to hear this,” one person wrote on Facebook. “She was an impressive broadcaster and person with a powerful intellect. I’m sad to hear of her passing,” another wrote. Former ABC presenter Jon Faine told the Sydney Morning Herald Copeland was “remarkable in so very many ways and taught us a lot about broadcasting”. “She was so generous, always sharing her experience and informally mentoring without being bossy, a rare skill,” Faine told the masthead. Copeland is survived by her husband John Slavin and sister Cherryl Barassi.