Australian journalist and presenter George Negus has died on the age of 82 after a battle with Alzheimer’s Illness.
In an announcement, his household mentioned he died peacefully surrounded by family members and thanked healthcare staff for his or her help.
Negus was a former host of SBS Dateline, and the founding host of the ABC’s International Correspondent program.
He labored as a highschool instructor in Brisbane earlier than starting his media profession writing for The Australian and The Australian Monetary Assessment.
He was additionally identified for his work on 60 Minutes, In the present day Australia, The Undertaking, and hosted 6.30 with George Negus in 2011.
Negus additionally wrote a number of books, had a media consulting firm, and gained a Walkley Award for Excellent Contribution to Journalism.
He was made a Member of the Order of Australia in 2015.
“Regardless of the challenges ailments like Alzheimer’s inflict on households, we nonetheless shared stunning instances, laughter and happiness collectively in current instances,” the household mentioned.
Final month one in all his sons, Ned, mentioned in a Linkedin submit his father was in an aged care facility.
“For these of you who don’t know, my dad was identified with Alzheimer’s round 5 years in the past”, Ned mentioned.
“He’s now non verbal more often than not (mind-blowing for me but in addition any of you that know him)”.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese provided condolences to Negus’ household, in an announcement posted on social media on Tuesday.
“George Negus was a large of Australian journalism,” the PM mentioned.
“His braveness, curiosity and integrity gave thousands and thousands of Australians a way of the massive points on 60 Minutes, and a window to the world by means of International Correspondent.
“George sought and served the reality with steely dedication and a twinkle in his eye, and alongside the best way, he made even the smallest TV display really feel that a lot greater.”
Former colleagues and members of the media business have paid tribute to Negus on social media.
“Vale George Negus. A terrific colleague, mentor and enjoyable individual to be round, all the time armed with yarns to spin. George set so many requirements as a journalist – that reside on at present,” journalist Peter Ryan
“A primary-rate journalist and a really fantastic human being. Farewell George Negus. It was such a pleasure to have identified you,” author and activist .
“He was a rare character, a rare journalist, and what you noticed on tv is what he was,” Ray Martin informed ABC Information 24.
“There was nothing pretend about George.”
Martin described his longtime pal as a rare, bigger than life character who deserved all the celebrity that got here his approach.
“He was an excellent journalist, very moral and an excellent storyteller, however an excellent higher bloke,” he mentioned.
With extra reporting by Australian Related Press.