Former ABC journalist, producer and author Tim Bowden has died at age 87.

Born in Tasmania, his career started with the BBC’s overseas service (now BBC World Service) in London in the early 1960s. On his return to Tasmania in 1963 he joined ABC’s “talks” department, working in both radio and television. He went on to become a foreign correspondent for ABC, first in Singapore and South East Asia before 18 months in New York.

He returned to Australia in 1969 to be the first executive producer of radio current affairs program PM, before working as a producer for television current affairs program This Day Tonight in the 1970s.

From 1975, he began making documentaries and features for ABC radio and later set up the Social History Unit for Radio National.

YouTube: Tasmanian History Channel

In 1986 he returned to ABC television and became well known to viewers as host of the feedback program Backchat for eight years. Bowden questioned why he was picked to front the weekly program after more than a decade working away from television. “We liked your strong larrikin streak,” he was told by management.

In 1994 he was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia in recognition of service to broadcasting.

He later wrote and presented the six-part documentary series Breaking The Ice for ABC in 1996, and wrote and narrated a second documentary The Silence Calling in 1997 to supplement his written history of Australian activities in Antarctica.

YouTube: mubd1234’s Aussie Media Archive

In 2006 he co-authored 50 Years: Aunty’s Jubilee, commemorating 50 years of ABC television.

Source: ABC, Tim Bowden, Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 50 Years: Aunty’s Jubilee.