Peter Leonard
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| Peter Leonard | |
 Peter Leonard attending the 75th birthday celebrations for Canberra radio station 2CA on 14 November 2006
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| Born | 21 February 1942 Yass, New South Wales |
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| Died | 23 September 2008 (aged 66) Canberra, Australian Capital Territory |
| Cause of death | Mesothelioma |
| Occupation | Journalist, newsreader |
| Spouse(s) | Gwen Leonard |
| Children | 3 |
Peter Leonard (21 February 1942 – 23 September 2008) was an Australian journalist and newsreader. He was born in Yass, New South Wales, the son of a Greek immigrant father who died when Peter was 17.[1] He was educated at Yass Primary School then at Canberra Grammar School as a boarder. The family moved to Canberra in 1956.[2]
Leonard had a number of jobs over his 45 year career history, commencing it at Canberra radio station 2CA in 1962, initially as a cadet copyrighter[1] and later as an announcer and newsreader. He moved to ABC Canberra in 1982 as a radio newsreader and later television newsreader and weather presenter.[3] However, in his most recognisable role, Leonard presented WIN News in Canberra from 1991 until 20 July 2007.[4]
From 1970 to 1988 he was also the media director for the National Capital Development Commission.[2] From 1993 to 2003 he was head of national communications for the Pharmacy Guild.[5]
He was an active participant in several charitable organisations. From 1989 to 1998 he was on the board of the ACT Cancer Council and also served on the board of the ACT Multiple Sclerosis Society.[5] He became Honorary Ambassador for Canberra and the Canberra Citizen of the Year for 1991 in recognition of his community service and charity work.[3][6][5]
In December 2007 he won the Chief Minister-Public Relations Institute of Australia (ACT Division) Award for Community Media. He was the first individual to receive the award.[6]
Leonard was diagnosed with mesothelioma in January 2008[3] and died on 23 September 2008, aged 66. He was survived by his wife Gwen, children Matthew, Nathan and Natasha and grandchildren.
| Preceded by Peter Russell |
WIN News Canberra Newsreader 1991 – 2007 |
Succeeded by Jessica Good |
[edit] References
- ^ a b "Oral History Sound Recordings". National Film and Sound Archive (April 2002).
- ^ a b Warden, Ian (2002-08-01). "Pessimism for unique Canberra", Canberra Times.
- ^ a b c "Newsreader Leonard dies aged 66", ABC News (2008-09-24).
- ^ Low, Claire (2008-09-24). "Tributes for newsreader Leonard", Canberra Times.
- ^ a b c Downie, Graham (2008-09-25). "Voice of Canberra resonated far and wide", Canberra Times.
- ^ a b "Media legend recognised for service to ACT community". Jon Stanhope, MLA : Media Releases (2007-12-17).
[edit] External links
- YouTube: Peter Leonard — WIN News farewell
- YouTube: WIN News story on passing of Peter Leonard
- YouTube: Peter Leonard — WIN News Tribute
| Persondata | |
|---|---|
| NAME | Leonard, Peter |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES | |
| SHORT DESCRIPTION | Journalist, newsreader |
| DATE OF BIRTH | 21 February 1942 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Yass, New South Wales |
| DATE OF DEATH | 23 September 2008 (aged 66) |
| PLACE OF DEATH | Canberra, Australian Capital Territory |
