Vale: Gavin Jones

Indigenous producer Gavin Jones, best known for founding the Deadly Awards, has died, aged 47.

Jones, the managing director of Deadly Vibe media, passed away in his hometown of Goulburn, on Saturday.

Fairfax reports his family and friends were aware of his devastation at the loss of government funding affecting his ventures, which had spawned radio and television productions, the national Deadly Vibe magazine, the annual Deadly Awards, sport, dance and hip-hop events, and much more.

On Monday night, Vibe Australia, which runs the Deadly Awards, revealed this year’s event had been cancelled because of the funding cuts. The awards had been due to take place on September 30 and screen on SBS.

He founded Deadly Sounds radio program in 1993 and launched Deadly Vibe magazine in 1995, delivering positive Indigenous stories and health messaging directly to schools and communities. At the time of his passing, Deadly Vibe magazine had reached its 209th issue, reaching a national distribution figure of 55,000 per month, most of whom are students.

In 2008, he launched Vibe TV, which produced the programs Living Strong and Move it Mob Style, which is broadcast on NITV and ABC3. It was nominated for a Logie award in the children’s entertainment category this year.

On its website DeadlyVibe said, “Noted for his generosity, kindness, and genuine care for others, Gavin was one of the true pioneers and heroes of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander advancement, and will be missed and remembered by the countless individuals whose lives he touched, and helped to improve.”