702 ABC Sydney is delighted to announce that Ray Martin, one of the most recognised and respected faces in Australian journalism, will deliver this year's annual 702 ABC Sydney Andrew Olle Media Lecture.

The Andrew Olle Media Lecture is held in honour of the respected and much-loved ABC broadcaster Andrew Olle who died of a brain tumour in 1995.

“As one of the country's most successful and versatile broadcasters, we're delighted Ray Martin has agreed to deliver this year's Andrew Olle Media Lecture,” said 702 ABC Sydney Manager, Jeremy Millar.

“Each year we pay tribute to Andrew Olle and raise money for his memorial trust, by inviting a lecturer who will challenge us and cause us to reflect on the role and future of the media and with 40 years experience Ray Martin has a great story to tell.”

The Andrew Olle Media Lecture has continued to grow in stature since its inception in 1996. Ray Martin follows a long line of distinguished speakers, including John Hartigan, Senator Helen Coonan, John Doyle, Chris Anderson, Harold Mitchell, Lachlan Murdoch, Kerry Stokes AO, Eric Beecher, Steve Vizard, John Alexander, Jana Wendt and David Williamson.

The lecture’s focus is on addressing the role and future of the media, as well as profiling the work of the Andrew Olle Memorial Trust, which raises money for neuroscience research, with an emphasis on brain tumours.

Ray Martin’s career break was his appointment in 1969 as the ABC’s North American correspondent. For 10 years he covered race-riots, presidential elections and the Vietnam War protests for ABC radio and television news. Ray joined Chanel 9 in 1979 a relationship that would span 30 years. During this time he was a foundation reporter on 60 Minutes and hosted many programs including the daily variety show Midday with Ray Martin, Ray Martin Presents, The Ray Martin Show and Up close and Personal. He hosted A Current Affair and specials on the Indonesian tsunami disaster in 2005 and the aftermath of the September 11 attacks in New York. Ray Martin has won five Gold Logies for Most Popular Personality on Australian TV.

The lecture will be delivered at a black tie dinner on Friday 17 October. The evening will be hosted by 702 ABC Sydney Drive presenter Richard Glover. Tickets are $165 (GST incl).

The event will be audio-streamed live on Friday 17 October at abc.net.au/sydney and broadcast in Sydney on 702 ABC Sydney on Saturday 18 October at 11.00am and will also be televised nationally on ABC TV (date tbc).