{{Short description|Australian politician}} {{Use dmy dates|date=August 2021}} {{Use Australian English|date=August 2021}} '''Stephen Mark O'Doherty''' (born 26 October 1959{{cn|date=January 2025}}) is an Australian former politician and former member of the Liberal Party.
==Early life and career== O'Doherty was born in Melbourne and raised in New South Wales. He attended Carlingford High School, a public school in the north-western suburbs of Sydney. He received a B.A. (Communication) from the New South Wales Institute of Technology<ref name=NSWgov>{{Cite NSW Parliament |former=Yes |access-date=5 May 2019 |id=2103 |title= Mr Stephen Mark O'Doherty, (1959– )}}</ref>
From 1981 until his election to Parliament, he was a broadcaster and journalist in radio and TV. During the 1980s he was the host of the ''Sundown Rundown'' current affairs program on Sydney's 2GB, and was a state and national affairs reporter with The 7.30 Report and Network Ten.<ref name=ABC>{{cite web |url=http://www.abc.net.au/tv/qanda/txt/s3260764.htm |title= Q&A - Panelist - Stephen O'Doherty|author=<!--Not stated--> |publisher=ABC|access-date=20 July 2017}}</ref> He is a regular commentator on politics and the media on 702 ABC Sydney and Sky News Australia.{{cn|date=January 2025}}
==Political career== In 1992, O'Doherty was elected as a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly for the seat of Ku-ring-gai. In 1999 he was re-elected to the seat of Hornsby following a redistribution of electoral boundaries.<ref name=NSWgov /> From 1995, he served as a front bencher in the Liberal Opposition under Peter Collins and Kerry Chikarovski, first in the portfolios of Education and Community Services, and then serving as Shadow Treasurer until his resignation in 2002.<ref name=ABC />
==Post-politics== In January 2002, O'Doherty left Parliament to become the inaugural chief executive officer of Christian Schools Australia, a national association representing Christian schools.<ref name=ABC /> He held this post until the end of 2016, in order to pursue other media interests.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=New CEO Announced |url=https://www.csa.edu.au/news/new-ceo-announced |work=Christian Schools Australia |date=19 August 2016 |access-date=20 July 2017}}</ref>
He currently is the chair of Hope Media, a not-for-profit Christian radio broadcaster.<ref name=ABC /> In March 2017, he returned to regular radio broadcasting on Hope Media's Hope 103.2 channel as host of its ''Open House'' current affairs program.<ref>{{cite news |last=Lim |first=Anne |date=2 March 2017 |title=News edge to return to Open House |url=https://www.eternitynews.com.au/culture/news-edge-to-return-of-open-house/ |work=Eternity News |access-date=20 July 2017}}</ref> He is also a regular contributor on the ABC.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Search results for "stephen o'doherty" - ABC News |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/search |access-date=2026-01-29 |website=www.abc.net.au |language=en-AU}}</ref>
==Musical Career== "Music was said to be a constant thread for him “since his mid-twenties and through all of life,” alongside his faith and work in communication and leadership".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Stephen O'Doherty |url=https://www.acc.edu.au/podcast/stephen-odoherty/ |access-date=2026-01-29 |website=www.acc.edu.au |language=en}}</ref>
=== Early musical involvement === O’Doherty’s first significant exposure to music was in his youth, where he became involved in school music activities, conducted ensembles and plays clarinet — experiences that helped shape his ongoing connection with music and performance.
=== Community music leadership === He has been deeply involved in community music for over four decades. O’Doherty has conducted various community concert bands since his teens and continues to do so — most notably as the Musical Director and Principal Conductor of the [https://www.goldenkangaroos.org.au/ Golden Kangaroos] Hornsby Concert Band in Sydney’s north, a position he still holds. In this role he leads rehearsals and performances, helping nurture local amateur musicians and maintain community engagement in band music. His long tenure with the group reflects a sustained hands-on contribution to amateur music-making in the region.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Stephen O'Doherty Honoured with Medal of the Order of Australia |url=https://www.musiceducation.com.au/news/stephen-odoherty-order-of-australia |access-date=2026-01-29 |website=Music Education |language=en-AU}}</ref>
=== Music advocacy and education support === O’Doherty’s influence extends into music advocacy and education. He helped establish and lead collaborative efforts among instrumental, vocal and music education organisations — for instance, The Roundtable of Instrumental, Vocal and Music Education Organisations (RIVMEO), created during the COVID-19 pandemic to support music educators and preserve music education opportunities.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-09-06 |title=Call for group music playing to return |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-09-06/call-for-group-music-playing-to-return/12634318 |access-date=2026-01-29 |website=www.abc.net.au |language=en-AU}}</ref>
His advocacy reflects an interest not only in performance but also in ensuring music has a strong structural place in schools and community programs.
== Recognition == In 2024, O’Doherty was honored with the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM), partly in recognition of his contributions to music through community band leadership and broader arts and education activities.<ref name=":0" /><ref>[https://www.gg.gov.au/sites/default/files/2024-08/KB24%20-%20Honours%20List%20Media%20Notes%20-%20Order%20of%20Australia%20-%20OAM%20%28as%20at%2013.8.24%29%20%28002%29.pdf '''The King's Birthday 2024 Honours List - General Division of the Order of Australia''']</ref>
==Personal life== O'Doherty is married with two sons.<ref name=NSWgov />
==References== {{Reflist}} {{s-start}} {{s-par|au-nsw-la}} {{succession box | title=Member for Ku-ring-gai | before=Nick Greiner | after=Barry O'Farrell | years=1992–1999}} {{succession box | title=Member for Hornsby | before=New seat | after=Judy Hopwood | years=1999–2002}} {{s-end}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Odoherty, Stephen Mark}} Category:1959 births Category:Living people Category:Australian Christians Category:Members of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly Category:Liberal Party of Australia members of the Parliament of New South Wales Category:21st-century Australian politicians Category:20th-century Australian politicians Category:Australian journalists Category:Australian radio presenters Category:Australian political commentators Category:Australian chief executives Category:Recipients of the Medal of the Order of Australia Category:University of Technology Sydney alumni Category:Australian media personalities Category:Australian radio personalities