Peter Leonard (journalist)

Peter Antony 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]

This article is about the Australian journalist and newsreader. For the American crime novelist, see Peter Leonard (author).

Peter Leonard
Peter Leonard attending the 75th birthday celebrations for Canberra radio station 2CA on 14 November 2006
Born
Peter Antony Leonard

(1942-02-21)21 February 1942
Yass, New South Wales
Died23 September 2008(2008-09-23) (aged 66)
Mawson, Australian Capital Territory
OccupationJournalist, newsreader
Spouse(s)Gwen Leonard
Children3

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 copywriter[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][5][6]

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, Natasha and Nathan and grandchildren, Rachel, Phoebe, Sarah, Madeline, Nicholas and Thomas.

The funeral service for Peter Leonard was held on 29 September 2008, at All Saints Church of England, Ainslie. Family, friends and colleagues were among those in attendance.

It was announced (at the funeral service) in September 2008 that a journalism scholarship funded by the ACT Government and WIN-TV would be named in his honour.[7]

Peter Leonard Scholarship

The Peter Leonard Scholarship aims to recognise the extraordinary talents of some University of Canberra Journalism students each year. Winners receive $5000 and a two-week internship at WIN Television in Canberra. At least two runners-up each receive $1000 and a one-week internship at WIN.

Winners

2009 – Lisa Mosley[8]
2010 – Philip Prior[9]
2011 – Gabrielle Adams[10]
2012 – Ashley Leal[11]
2013 – Katarina Slavich[12]
2015 – Alkira Reinfrank
2016 – Alison Hattley
2017 – Naomi Avery

Runners-Up

2009 – Andrew Day, Kevin Room and Rahima Saikal[8]
2010 – Ewan Gilbert and Lucy Zelic[9]
2011 – Grace Keyworth and Alana Shegog[10]
2012 – Dion Pretorius and Olivia Neethyrajah[11]
2013 – Charlene Broad[12]

Preceded by
Peter Russell		 WIN News Canberra Newsreader
1991–2007		 Succeeded by
Jessica Good

References
  1. "Oral History Sound Recordings" (PDF). National Film and Sound Archive. April 2002. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 July 2008. Retrieved 24 September 2008.
  2. Warden, Ian (1 August 2002). "Pessimism for unique Canberra". Canberra Times.
  3. "Newsreader Leonard dies aged 66". ABC News. 24 September 2008.
  4. Low, Claire (24 September 2008). "Tributes for newsreader Leonard". Canberra Times. Archived from the original on 4 October 2011.
  5. Downie, Graham (25 September 2008). "Voice of Canberra resonated far and wide". Canberra Times.
  6. "Media legend recognised for service to ACT community". Jon Stanhope, MLA : Media Releases. 17 December 2007.
  7. "Scholarship to honour Leonard". ABC News. 30 September 2008.
  8. Powell, Amanda (7 October 2009). "Passionate journalist awarded WIN's new scholarship". University of Canberra.
  9. Powell, Amanda (30 November 2010). "Philip Prior awarded Peter Leonard Scholarship". University of Canberra.
  10. Rose, Sandy (21 November 2010). "Gabrielle Adams wins Peter Leonard Scholarship". University of Canberra.
  11. Murray, Victoria (28 November 2012). "UC students win prestigious media scholarships". University of Canberra. Retrieved 22 October 2014.
  12. Hollands, Lauren (7 July 2014). "Katarina Slavich awarded TV scholarship". University of Canberra. Retrieved 22 October 2014.
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