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Alison Broinowski

b. 1941

Australian writer and academic

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About Alison Broinowski

Born 1941. Alison Broinowski is an Australian journalist and diplomat.

Alison Elizabeth Broinowski, ( Woodroffe; born 25 October 1941) is an Australian academic, journalist, writer and former Australian public servant.

Biography Alison Woodroffe was born in Adelaide, South Australia, on 25 October 1941. She attended the Wilderness School from 1946 to 1958, and in 1962 she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Adelaide. In December 1963, she married diplomat Richard Philip Broinowski. From 1963 to 1964, she was a cadet for the Australian Department of External Affairs before beginning her extensive public service career, including various diplomatic postings, with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFAT).

Broinowski ran in New South Wales as a Senate candidate for The Wikileaks Party at the 2013 Australian federal election. Broinowski was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in the 2019 Australia Day Honours in recognition of her "significant service to international relations as an academic, author, and diplomat".

Career

1965–68 – Freelance journalist in Japan 1969 – Journalist and leader-writer for the Canberra Times 1970–74 – Department of Foreign Affairs, Japan Section 1975–78 – Second Secretary at the Australian Embassy in Manila, Philippines 1978–82 – ASEAN Section, Department of Foreign Affairs; Co-ordinator, Australian Institute of International Affairs Conferences 1982–83 – Administrative Assistant to the Governor General; executive director of the Australian National Word Festival 1983–85 – Cultural Counsellor at the Australian Embassy in Tokyo, Japan 1986 – Director, Japan Section, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade 1987–88 – Director, Australia-Japan Foundation, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade; visiting fellow at the Department of Asian Studies, Australian National University 1988 – Chargé d'Affaires with the Australian Embassy in Amman, Jordan, and research associate with the Korean Research Foundation and Yonsei University in Seoul, South Korea 1989–90 – Counsellor with the Australian Mission to the United Nations in New York City, United States 1990–92 – On leave from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to undertake freelance work, including lecturing, journalism, broadcasting and research on Australia/Asian affairs 1992–93 – Regional Director with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Melbourne 1993–94 – Director, Advocacy and Planning, Australia Council 1995 – Visiting Fellow, Australian Defence Force Academy 1995–96 – Research Associate, Ibero American University, Mexico 1996 – Visiting Fellow, University of Canberra 1996–99 – Visiting Fellow, Australian National University

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Important facts

Birth century
Nationality
Education
University of Adelaide, Australian National University
Employers
Australian National University
Awards
Member of the Order of Australia
Also known as
Alison Elizabeth Broinowski

Family & relationships

Spouse
Richard Broinowski
Child
Anna Broinowski

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Alison Broinowski's

Frequently asked questions

Who is Alison Broinowski?

Australian writer and academic

When was Alison Broinowski born?

Alison Broinowski was born on 25 October 1941 in Adelaide.

What is Alison Broinowski's occupation?

Alison Broinowski is a journalist and diplomat.

What nationality is Alison Broinowski?

Alison Broinowski is Australian.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Alison Broinowski

· Wikidata: Q4727038

· DBpedia: Alison Broinowski

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Alison Broinowski. https://biography.guide/alison-broinowski/

MLA: "Alison Broinowski." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/alison-broinowski/.

Chicago: "Alison Broinowski." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/alison-broinowski/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-22 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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