Early in the 1990s, Ray Martin learned about his Native American roots. He says that Bertha, his great-great-great-grandmother, was a member of the nearby Kamilaroi tribe of Aboriginal Australians.
Australian reporter Ray Martin has won the Gold Logie five times.
In 1965, Ray started working as a cadet for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). In less than four years, he was chosen to be the ABC’s New York City correspondent.
In the ten years that followed, Ray covered a wide range of important events, such as racial unrest, protests against the Vietnam War, the Olympics, and elections for president.
Ray Martin Indigenous Heritage Disclosed
In the early 1990s, Ray Martin found out that he was part of an aboriginal tribe. Bertha Lamey, who was his great-great-great-grandmother, was a member of the Kamilaroi tribe, which is close to Gunnedah.
Ray’s great-great-grandfather, William Leamy, was an Irishman who was in jail. When he got there, he was given Keepit Station, which was outside the legal boundaries of the NSW colony and had no laws.
William’s will said that Bertha was his beloved, and that they had two children together. When Ray goes to Borah Crossing, elders from the Kamilaroi tribe come to meet him.
Family of Journalist Ray Martin
Ray Martin, whose real name is Raymond George Grace, was born on December 20, 1944, at an air force base in Richmond, New South Wales, to an Irish-Australian Catholic family. His real name is Raymond George Grace.
When he was growing up, his family moved around a lot. They finally settled in Adelaide and Tasmania. Because there wasn’t enough room for them, they often lived with relatives.
Ray and his family had to sleep outside for a few nights before the Salvation Army took them in. In 1955, when Ray was 11 years old, his mother and his three older sisters ran away from their abusive father.
Ray’s mother changed their last name to Martin so that her controlling, drunk husband wouldn’t find out.
Ray Martin Wife & Children
The Book of Intentions was written by Dianne Martin, who is married to Ray Martin. They got married in a small ceremony on November 29, 1968. They now have two children and two grandchildren.
Luke and Jenna are their children. In addition to theatre and writing, they have worked in film and television. Ray says that he and Dianne never used “tough love” with their kids or tried to steer them toward a certain career path.
Jenna talks to her mother first thing in the morning and last thing at night on the phone. They also play sports together, and Ray gives them some alone time by taking his grandson Arlo to the park for an hour and a half.