ABC veteran, PM host Mark Colvin dies
One of ABC radio’s most respected journalists, Mark Colvin, the host of PM, has died aged 65.
Mark Colvin: One of the ABC’s most respected journalists.
The industry veteran who wrapped up the day’s news on ABC radio each evening with the current affairs show, had built a massive following amongst journalists, politicians and listeners on Twitter where he shared a diverse collection of news stories.
ABC managing director Michelle Guthrie described him as one of the broasdcaster’s most admired and respected journalists.
“For many Australians, Mark’s steady and measured voice as host of PM brought them the essential news of the day and kept them informed about events of national and international importance,” Guthrie said.
“We will miss him enormously, and extend our thoughts to his family and friends.”
Her comments were echoed by ABC’s director News, Gavin Morris.
“Mark was one of Australia’s finest journalists. He leaves an unfillable void as a journalist, a colleague and a friend,” Morris said.
“He was an important part of the ABC community as a mentor and teacher to young reporters and as a voice of wisdom and experience to many older ones. Our reporters and producers felt strengthened by his presence in the newsroom and emboldened by the sound of his voice on our airwaves.”
The Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance described Colvin as “a giant of his profession”.
“MEAA is deeply saddened at the death of ABC broadcaster Mark Colvin. He was an outstanding journalist whose tremendous skill, leadership, humanity, and warmth made him a giant of his profession,” it said in a statement.
” He was an outstanding foreign correspondent and his work as a presenter was admired by all. Mark was a member of MEAA for 33 years. MEAA extends its deepest condolences to his family, friends and colleagues.”
Colvin first joined the broadcaster as a cadet in 1974 after graduating from Oxford University.
News of his death shocked followers and Twitter was immediately flooded withy an outpouring of grief and celebration of his professionalism.
Heartbreaking news. Mark Colvin, one of the giants of our profession, has died.His intellectual curiosity knew no bounds. Fly high @colvinus https://t.co/qNWlUyCGdW
— Kate McClymont (@Kate_McClymont) May 11, 2017
@katewildabc @Colvinius Devastating news. I was blessed to work with him and will always remember his support and deep empathy. A voice for heaven now
— josietaylor (@josietaylor) May 11, 2017
Awful news. Vale Mark Colvin. A gentleman of journalism.
— Bill Shorten (@billshortenmp) May 11, 2017
So sad. Great journalist. Lovely bloke. So unlucky. Never well after his trip to Rwanda in the 1990s. We’ll miss him so much. https://t.co/tg7vAOEifa
— Paul Barry (@TheRealPBarry) May 11, 2017
Colvin’s family thanked staff at The Prince of Wales Hospital and his ABC colleagues for their support.
“Today we lost our beloved Mark,” the family said in a statement.
“The family would like to thank the doctors and nurses at the Prince of Wales hospital, as well as the community, the ABC, his friends and colleagues, who have stood by him and supported his career and life.
“At this moment of grief, we request the family be left to mourn in private.
“Mark has asked that donations to the Prince of Wales Hospital Trust be made, in place of flowers.”
Colvin’s career spanned the ABC, from working on the youth station 2JJ, the precursor to Triple J, to being appointed the ABC’s London correspondent in 1980 at the age of 28.
The list of ABC current affairs shows he worked on ranged from Nationwide with Jenny Brockie, Paul Murphy and Andrew Olle, to Four Corners and The World Today. His work from overseas contributed to flagship ABC programs including Foreign Corespondent, The 7.30 Report and Lateline.
Colvin contracted a rare autoimmune disease which nearly took his life in 1994 while visiting Rwanda and Zaire and the lingering damage cause by the disease led to kidney failure.
It was while spending hours on dialysis before he had a kidney transplant in 2012 that Colvin embraced the emerging social media world of Twitter, sharing news stories and information from around the world, often with a wry and perceptive observation, and gaining more than 100,000 followers under the handle @Colvinius.
Shortly after news of his death was announced a final tweet went out from Colvin’s account.
In 2016 Colvin authored a book about his father, a cold war spay against the Communists, Light and Shade: Memoirs of a Spy’s Son.
Sad news stopped me in my tracks. One of the truly gifted and respected journalists, one of the few greats, who illuminated the banner of journalistic excellence.
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