In memory of Charlotte Dawson…

Today marks three years since the death of TV presenter Charlotte Dawson, who tragically took her own life following ongoing battles with depression and cyber bullying.

It was a moment that shook the industry, and made the wider public further aware of the ramifications of online commentary.

Her friend Jo Thornely writes in the Daily Telegraph, “In the same unfairly good-looking container, she contained both self-confidence and self-doubt. Charlotte surrounded herself with people, mostly women, that she admired, regardless of where she found them — in the media, on the internet, in politics, down the shops.

“Without seeming fully convinced that she was also one, she intensely enjoyed the company of people who were intelligent, funny, ballsy and gleefully disruptive of the status quo.

“She’d pump them full of confidence and self-belief but didn’t always do the same for herself.

“The last thing I want to do though, is paint Charlotte as a saint or a romantically tragic figure. She was a deep thinker and a cause-backer and a passionate supporter but she was also a prankster, a stirrer and an impulsive, loud, hilarious d***head.”

Model Simone Holtznagel, who met Dawson on the set of reality show Australia’s Next Top Model in 2011, has revealed she is no longer angry with her.

“I find usually the weeks leading up to the 22nd the hardest rather than the day itself. I think about her all the time. I miss her … I am not angry any more, I just wish she was here,” she said.

My own memories of Charlotte are less intimate than those of close friends.

She was always glamorous on the red carpet and gave great zinger quotes. I sometimes disagreed with her, but respected she was a survivor of the early Pay TV era (when most of the press was still focussed on Free to Air). I often think of Dawson when I am faced with moderating comments, trying to weigh up what is a fair response to what is on the screen versus how it is received personally at the other end. If we’ve learned anything from her loss it is surely to aspire to more considered commentary.

A Change.org petition calling for tougher Cyber Bullying Legislation in her name currently has over 200,000 signatures.

Sunday Night‘s website also has videos of her last ever interview.

Lifeline: 131114
beyondblue.org.au