VALE - Jim McCarter (May 2019)

Rural Media SA President, Leigh Radford OAM announces with sadness the passing of a pioneer and true icon of South Australian Rural Journalism, Jim McCarter - leaving a lasting legacy of quality rural journalism that lives on in this state.

Jim died in the early hours of Sunday May 26^th, leaving a lasting legacy of quality rural journalism that lives on in this state.

President of Rural Media SA, Leigh Radford OAM remembers Jim as being one of nature’s true gentlemen. “He was also one of the best exponents of traditional Journalism, fiercely upholding the highest principles of editorial standards.”

“Jim was respected for his unfailing adherence to standards of fair, balanced and contextualised reporting of facts. Several generations of readers in this state knew Jim McCarter as a trusted source of quality information which affected their families, businesses and local communities.”

In recognition of the standards he set for the coverage of agricultural issues in this state for decades, Jim was honoured and acknowledged by his colleagues as a ‘Rural Media Icon’ in the profession.

Jim served as Rural Media South Australia’s President and Secretary for many years, with Honorary Life Membership being bestowed upon him some years ago as a genuine gesture of its appreciation.

Born at Kadina on South Australia’s Yorke Peninsula in 1937, Jim McCarter’s roots in rural journalism come from a period very few people today have experienced. Following completion of his education at Urrbrae Agricultural High School, he obtained a position as a cadet journalist with the Advertiser’s rural publication, ‘The Chronicle’ in 1954.

In the early 1960’s, Jim expanded his role as a rural journalist at ‘The Chronicle’ by broadcasting agricultural stories on the Advertiser Broadcasting Network’s statewide radio stations 5AD, 5PI, 5MU & 5SE in a program called ‘Life on the Land’.

Jim McCarter became Editor of ‘The Chronicle’ in 1969, a role he held until the Advertiser decided to close that publication in 1976. He then took up the position of Rural Editor at the Advertiser in an effort to maintain the communication of rural and agricultural content to that publication’s statewide readers. His weekly “On The Land” section epitomised quality rural journalism and was a much anticipated read for many regional and metropolitan people.

A highlight of Jim’s career at the Advertiser was convincing the management of that publication to become official sponsor of the Yorke Peninsula Field Days, something very close to his heart. In recognition of his long service to the YP Field Days Committee, that body awarded Jim with Life Membership.

After 38 years reporting rural issues to South Australians, Jim McCarter retired from the Advertiser in 1992.

Jim spent his retirement years with wife Janet in the cooler climes of Southern Tasmania, devoting several productive decades to enjoying those things that interested him most.

Jim McCarter left a number of lasting legacies to the craft of rural journalism in this state. In addition to establishing the benchmark for quality agricultural journalism and well-mannered communication, he pioneered the formation of Rural Media South Australia in the 1970’s.

Rural Media SA President Leigh Radford OAM says his organisation joins with Janet and Jim’s family, friends and colleagues in celebrating a wonderful life and his lasting contribution to rural journalism in South Australia.