Image: @richard_morecroft / Instagram
Veteran Australian broadcaster Richard Morecroft has died aged 70 following a battle with cancer, prompting tributes from colleagues, public figures and viewers.
Morecroft, a long-time presenter on ABC’s nightly NSW news bulletin, died on the South Coast of NSW at “a time of his choosing” on Tuesday, according to a statement released on his official Instagram page.
“He was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year and was grateful to go peacefully, with his partner of 36 years, Alison Mackay, beside him,” read the statement.
“We are devastated to lose such a warm, generous and caring human and hope that all those who knew him, if only through their TV screens, will remember him fondly.”
Morecroft had shared updates on his Instagram account earlier in the year about his long stay in the Chris O’Brien Lifehouse in Sydney for cancer treatment.
Morecroft’s Career & Legacy
Morecroft was born in Market Harborough, England, and his family moved to Adelaide in 1966. He studied English and Drama at the University of Adelaide.
Morecroft spent more than two decades at the ABC, anchoring the nightly NSW news bulletin from 1983 to 2002.
Before hosting ABC News NSW, Morecroft worked at the University of Adelaide’s radio station and presented the Adelaide ABC news bulletin.
Morecroft also hosted the quiz show Letters and Numbers on SBS between 2010 and 2012, and had reporting stints in Canberra.
Outside of reporting, he was also a staunch environmental activist. Morecroft was a long-time trustee for the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), a governor of the Taronga Foundation and a director of the Zoological Parks Board of NSW.
He was also an acclaimed landscape photographer, with his work hanging in Parliament House.
Tributes
Tributes have been shared across the media industry and political sphere, describing his warm personality, professionalism, and beloved status.
In a statement, Prime Minister Albanese described Morecroft as “the face and the voice of the news of the ABC” and “a beloved part of Australian life.”
According to SBS, he was one of Australia’s most respected and familiar broadcasters.
ABC journalist Leigh Sales was among the first to pay tribute, describing the broadcaster as an “absolutely divine human being”.
ABC News presenter Joe O’Brien, in a post on social media, said: “Richard set the respected standard for others to follow. And more importantly was a warm, encouraging guy too.”
He is survived by his wife, Alison Mackay.
Vale Richard Morecroft, 20/01/56 – 06/10/26.
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