Deadlys Founder Gavin Jones dies
Gavin Jones, Founder of the Indigenous Deadly awards, Deadly Vibes magazine and Deadly Sounds radio show, was found dead last Saturday on his farm at Goulburn. He was 47.
It is believed he was devastated after his company lost an estimated $400,000 worth of Federal funding last month. This year’s Deadlys on September 30, to celebrate its 20th anniversary, was cancelled as a result.
Jones founded the Deadlys in the wake of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal deaths in custody, which found that indigenous negative self-image was a root cause. The one-time Goulburn Post cadet journalist – who went on to get a communications degree at the University of Canberra in 1989 – founded his company Deadly Vibes Australia in 1993. It produced the Deadlys to highlight achievements in music, films, sports, health and community.
The first Deadlys were held in a hall in Chippendale in 1993 before 30 to 40 people. Jones built it up to an event held at the Sydney Opera House that was broadcast by SBS to an audience of half a million.
Deadly Vibes magazine, set up in 1995, had a circulation of 55,000. Vibe TV, which arrived in 2008, produced empowering shows such as Living Strong and Move it Mob Style.
Lydia Miller, Executive Director of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Arts, praised Jones as a “visionary” and “inspirational”, who “had a strong idea of what we were and what we could become.”
Deadly Vibes posted on its website: “Gavin leaves behind an impressive legacy, and will be remembered as a man who made a huge contribution to his community, and helped to change the fabric of Australian society, providing successful and impactful nationwide platforms for Indigenous Australians to celebrate their achievements, survival, pride and culture.”
Also posted was a farewell from Boomerang Festival Founder Rhoda Roberts, who produced some of the earlier Deadlys: “What a blessing, when 21 years ago Gavin and I sat in a coffee shop and talked about how great it would be to have a national radio program, our own AFI’s, and a magazine, and look what he did with his wisdom, passion and love for all our mob. So many seedlings have been produced across the industry because of this one man and his passion. He really was a pioneer, and I thank you deadly brother. Rest, then dance well with our mob because you will always be in our hearts and are one of greatest shining stars.”
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