Picture a typical Sunday evening in the 1990s. Families across Australia would gather around the telly to watch a cheerful bloke sharing his passion for plants and home improvement.
From 1987 to late 2004, Don Burke was the trusted host of Burke's Backyard. This lifestyle program became a cornerstone of Australian television.
Fast forward to the present, and that same person has just broken an eight-year silence following bombshell allegations that effectively ended his media career.
The making of a television icon
In 2004, Business Review Weekly listed Burke as one of the top 50 entertainers, with estimated earnings of $7.2 million that year.
His success was not an accident—Burke combined his horticultural expertise with an everyman appeal that resonated with viewers across the nation.
His show's popularity also extended beyond gardening. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, more than two million Australians tuned in to watch Don Burke as he shared his love of gardening, while explaining the properties of various flora.
For many families, Burke's Backyard represented quality time together, where they learned practical skills that could improve their own homes and gardens.
When the allegations surfaced
On 26 November 2017, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation and The Sydney Morning Herald published a joint investigative piece containing claims that Burke had sexually harassed, assaulted, and bullied women throughout his career.
The timing wasn't coincidental, as the investigation came in the wake of the Harvey Weinstein revelations.
More than 500 people came forward to report behaviour by 65 industry figures. Yet, according to journalist Tracey Spicer, one name came up more than any other: Don Burke.
In total, more than 50 people made serious allegations against the 70-year-old TV host.
Two of the most prominent voices in the case were TV presenter Kerri-Anne Kennerley and Olympian Susie O’Neill.
The allegations were serious and detailed. Multiple women employees went on the record claiming Burke groped them.
On some occasions, Burke allegedly attempted to remove items of their clothing without consent. At the same time, many said he often spoke to them using highly inappropriate and explicit language.
Burke's initial response and the years of silence
Burke's immediate reaction was emphatic denial. 'The bitter irony is that I have had a lifelong opposition to sexism and misogyny. Burke's Backyard was a lone bastion of anti-misogyny from its inception in 1987,' he stated at the time.
On the other hand, Burke admitted to having extramarital affairs. Burke acknowledged his actions, felt 'ashamed' of himself and had apologised to his wife.
Did you know?
The legal landscape
Following the allegations, Burke hired defamation expert Patrick George and eventually won a 2019 defamation case against journalist Wendy Dent. However, the judge questioned Burke's credibility, saying viewers were unlikely to believe his denials.
The industry reckoning
The allegations against Burke did not exist in a vacuum.
A long-term male producer revealed that management told staff to 'suck it up' because Burke's Backyard was 'the number one rating show, the cash cow for Channel Nine.'
The producer also noted that there was huge staff turnover as 'he had the power, the profile and the tacit backing of Channel Nine'.
This pattern of protecting valuable talent regardless of behaviour was symptomatic of broader industry problems.
What changed after eight years?
Burke's decision to speak publicly again in 2025 came at a time when the media landscape had fundamentally shifted.
The #MeToo movement has evolved beyond its initial wave. Many people accused of misconduct have filed defamation lawsuits against their accusers, with advocates saying these suits can intimidate victims into silence.
The lasting impact of the Burke allegations
- Demonstrated how workplace harassment had been tolerated in Australian television
- Showed the power dynamics that protected high-rating personalities
- Highlighted the need for better industry safeguards
- Sparked conversations about separating art from artist in Australian entertainment
The complicated legacy for viewers
For many Australians, particularly those over 60, the Burke story represents a complex reckoning with nostalgia. The educational show brought many families together, yet the allegations cast a shadow over positive experiences.
As Justice Mossop noted in the 2019 defamation case, 'a fair-minded observer would understand that there were credible allegations made by a number of people and that Burke denied the allegations, but did so in a manner which gave rise to real doubts about the credibility of his denials'.
Two years ago, A Current Affair looked back at Don Burke's complicated legacy. Watch here:
Source: A Current Affair/YouTube
Moving forward
The Australian television industry has implemented stronger policies since 2017. Channel Nine stated it has 'robust policies and procedures for dealing with complaints and to support staff in such circumstances'.
However, critics still argue that these changes came too late for Burke's alleged victims.
Burke's story should be a reminder that the celebrities we see on our television screens are complex individuals whose private behaviour may not match their public personas.
Burke's eight years of silence may be over, but conversations about power, accountability, and workplace safety in Australian media continue. Whether Burke's return to public discourse will provide closure or reopen old wounds remains to be seen.
What are your thoughts on the allegations about Don Burke? Have you had to reconsider other childhood television favourites in light of similar revelations? Share your reflections in the comments below.
Primary source
Don Burke—Wikipedia
Cited text: 'He is best known as the longtime host of Burke's Backyard, a lifestyle program produced by his wife's company CTC Productions, which ran for 17 years ...'
Excerpt: 'From 1987 to late 2004, Don Burke was the trusted host of Burke's Backyard. This lifestyle program became a cornerstone of Australian television.'
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don_Burke
Don Burke sexual harassment: Why now? What took so long?
Cited text: 'In the late 1980s and early 1990s more than two million Australians would tune in to watch Don Burke share his love of gardening.'
Excerpt: 'In the late 1980s and early 1990s, more than two million Australians tuned in to watch Don Burke as he shared his love of gardening, while explaining the properties of various flora.'
Why it's taken 30 years for Don Burke to be exposed.
The question everyone is asking.
www.mamamia.com.au
Don Burke Accused Of Sexual Harassment By Multiple Women
Cited text: 'In total, more than 50 people have made serious allegations against the 70-year-old.'
Excerpt: 'In total, more than 50 people made serious allegations against the 70-year-old TV host.'
Don Burke Accused Of Horrific Sexual Harassment By Multiple Women
Australian TV star Don Burke has been accused of indecent assault, sexual harassment and bullying during his 17 years as host of Channel Nine’s popular gardening show Burke’s Backyard.
www.marieclaire.com.au
Don Burke Faces Multiple Allegations of Sexual Harassment
Cited text: 'Multiple women employees of Burke’s Backyard have gone on the record in their allegations that Burke groped them and on some occasions attempted to re...'
Excerpt: 'Multiple women employees went on the record claiming Burke groped them. On some occasions, Burke allegedly attempted to remove items of their clothing without consent. At the same time, many said he often spoke to them using highly inappropriate and explicit language.'
Don Burke Faces Multiple Allegations of Sexual Harassment
Every Friday night of your childhood, ruined.
www.vice.com
Don Burke denies sexual harassment allegations | SBS News
Cited text: '"The bitter irony is that I have had a lifelong opposition to sexism and misogyny. Burke's Backyard was a lone bastion of anti-misogyny from its inception..."'
Excerpt: 'The bitter irony is that I have had a lifelong opposition to sexism and misogyny.'
Don Burke denies sexual harassment allegations
Former top rating Nine television personality Don Burke has been accused of sexually harassing and indecently assaulting women who worked on his gardening program in the 1980s and 1990s.
www.sbs.com.au
Don Burke declares 'witch-hunt' after sexual harassment and bullying allegations | SBS News
Cited text: 'The former television star admitted he had extramarital affairs and had apologised to his wife for the behaviour, adding he was "ashamed" of himself. '
Excerpt: On the other hand, Burke admitted to having extramarital affairs. Burke acknowledged his actions, felt 'ashamed' of himself and had apologised to his wife.
Don Burke declares 'witch-hunt' after sexual harassment and bullying allegations
Don Burke has responded to allegations of sexual harassment, indecent assault and bullying.
www.sbs.com.au
This lawyer is fighting defamation lawsuits that can silence sexual assault victims | WFSU News
Cited text: 'Her friend was right: In the years since the #MeToo movement took off — when women spoke out publicly about sexual assault and harassment...'
Excerpt: The #MeToo movement has evolved beyond its initial wave. Many people accused of misconduct have filed defamation lawsuits against their accusers, with advocates saying these suits can intimidate victims into silence.[
This lawyer is fighting defamation lawsuits that can silence sexual assault victims
Since the start of the #MeToo movement, many accused abusers have filed defamation charges against their accusers in retaliation, advocates say. Law professor Victoria Burke wants to change that.
news.wfsu.org
Don Burke wins defamation case against woman he allegedly sexually harassed but has credibility questioned | The Canberra Times
Cited text: ''Rather, a fair-minded observer of the program would understand that there were credible allegations made by a number of people including [Ms Dent]..."'
Excerpt: As Justice Mossop noted in the 2019 defamation case, 'a fair-minded observer would understand that there were credible allegations made by a number of people and that Burke denied the allegations, but did so in a manner which gave rise to…'
Don Burke's credibility questioned in defamation case win
A lawyer described it as a "Pyrrhic victory" for Mr Burke.www.canberratimes.com.au
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