She was the second woman to serve as editor of The Sydney Morning Herald (SMH) since its inception in 1831.
After completing her cadetship, she became a health reporter and later was sent to New Zealand and Europe as a foreign correspondent.
[2] In 2016 she moved to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), rising to editorial director in 2022.
[1][3][2] At both the SMH and ABC Whelan was revered by her colleagues for her professionalism and compassion and mentored many young journalists.
[1][3] Whelan died of cancer on 26 June 2024 at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney.