Russ Tyson, the first person to appear on ABC television in Brisbane, has died at the age of 94.
Tyson was a long-serving presenter for ABC radio in Brisbane, starting as a cadet announcer in the late 1930s. When World War II broke out he went on air in Borneo with the Australian Army’s radio station.
After the war ended he returned to ABC, hosting the breakfast program from 1948 to 1966 as well as the Hospital Hour.
On television he was the first to appear on ABQ2, the ABC’s Brisbane station, on the night it opened in November 1959, and hosted programs including Anything Goes and national series On Camera. He continued to work with ABC until he resigned in 1966, citing differences with management over changes to the breakfast radio program.
After leaving the ABC he went to commercial radio station 4KQ in Brisbane.
He retired from broadcasting in 1976.
Russ Tyson is survived by his wife Joy and their children and grandchildren.
Source: Radioinfo, 612 ABC Brisbane, Sydney Morning Herald.
I think Russ was the epitome of A BROADCASTER and a warm human being.I feel priveleged to have known him..His Birthday is tomorrow 20th April and long may he be remembered .I shall remember him in Silvermemories on the day -as I will continue to do so.
John Macnaughton
God bless. He was a beautiful man. We have his poetry books. And now I am going to go to Mullumbimby rsl to hear his son’s band, Steve Tyson and the Train Rex. Pretty good.
Cheryl I am trying to find out about the children’s stories that he used to play on the breakfast show.
I think one was about Tumbarumba?
Do you remember these?
Gill Kidd
I have just been listening to ABC Classic FM and they played Russ Tyson’s morning Breakfast’s theme and I can’t remember what it was. Can you help me? I loved his show too. He was brilliant and showed his caring personality.Thank you ABC!!!
Hi Anne, you might need to contact ABC Classic FM they might be able to assist with identifying the title of the theme?