Vale: ABC’s Bernie Keenan
ABC’s Chief of Staff to the Sydney newsroom Bernie Keenan, 66, died suddenly last night while jogging.
Keenan’s television career began as a cameraman for commercial TV on international assignments around the world, Bernie was Chief of Staff for the Seven Network before moving to the Sydney’s ABC office, where he’d been for most of the past decade.
In a statement, Director of ABC News Kate Torney said “Bernie drove our news gathering operations in New South Wales and was a central figure across the network. He was a warm and generous colleague and we will miss him greatly.”
Don Lange, the ABC’s Head of News Programming said “Bernie was a stalwart of the newsroom and will be sadly missed in Sydney and around the Network.”
Outside of work, Keenan volunteered at the Little Sisters of the Poor in Randwick and kept fit through running and ocean kayaking.
Keenan’s passing is the fifth to pass in a fortnight after ABC veteran reporter Paul Lockyer, cameraman John Bean and helicopter pilot Gary Ticehurst died two weeks ago at Lake Eyre, South Australia. Ian Carroll, creator of Lateline co-creator of The 7.30 Report as well as two digital channels for the ABC passed away peacefully from pancreatic cancer on Friday 19 August.
Goodbye Bernie and Thank You.
Bernie was something of a mentor to me at Channel 7 in Adelaide, some 35 years ago. Bernie was the head cameraman in the news department and I was an aspiring cameraman, desperate to shoot film and not just spend my life in the studio. Bernie outfitted me with an array of 16mm cameras, scraps of film and his huge enthusiasm and knowledge. He might not have been there as I tried to succeed but he gave me the best that anyone can in the film business………… he gave me a go.
Not everyone manages to leave a legacy in this world but Bernie has for me and now it’s up to me to carry it, until it’s my turn to pass it along.
Bernie, thank you for your legacy. I’m proud to carry it.
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A legend moves on to a higher place. Thanks so much Bernie for all the inspiration and confidence you gave me 25 years ago in your Adelaide Newsroom. Every time I achieved that little extra in this awesome career I thought of you and thanked you in my heart even though we were on opposite sides of the Pacific. There are many around Australia and the world, Cameramen and Reporters that can thank you for where they are today. I certainly do. You’ll be missed that’s for darn sure!
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‘Sound,sound the Clarion,
Fill the fife,
Through the sensual world proclaim
One crowded hour of Glorious Life
Is worth an age without a name.”
Thomas Osbert Morduanr [1730-1809]
Rest in Peace Bernie
Love Di
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