First lady of Australian television dies aged 92
Renowned Australian children’s presenter Dawn Kenyon has died aged 92.
Kenyon, originally Dorothy Dingwell, was born in Toowoomba in 1932 and made her TV debut in 1956, the same year that it was introduced in Australia.
She became the country's first female host of children's show, with her appearance on Captain Fortune, and was later referred to as the “first lady of Australian television”.
Known affectionately as Miss Dawn, she hosted several early Australian children's shows and became a household name with her role on Channel Seven’s Romper Room in the late 1950s, almost a decade before ABC’s Play School made its debut in 1966.
In addition to her on screen roles, she also made significant contributions behind the scenes as a producer and screenwriter.
A year after she made her TV debut, she married Fred Kenyon, a British TV engineer, and they share three children, Steven, Peter and Anne.
After her marriage she chose to step away from her presenting career and relocated to England when her husband accepted a job there.
Her legacy endured, with her friends in the media industry paying tribute to her as news broke of her death.
“Dawn was always a shining light,” Australian journalist Anita Jacoby said.
“She was so often the first to greet us, introduce us to new families, and lead us deeper into that magic of the Merry Makers,” 60 Minutes’ Jeff McMullen said.
Image: National Archives of Australia/ news.com.au