Australia loses a much-loved journalist to Pancreatic Cancer
This weekend, we farewelled one of Australia’s most esteemed journalists.
Peter Harvey was best known for his long-standing role as news reporter with the Nine Network – his baritone voice and well-known sign-off “Peter Harvey, Canberra” resonated throughout Australian homes for thirty-seven years.
Peter was overseas celebrating his 45th wedding anniversary last year when he fell ill. On returning home to Australia, he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
Calling it the “Patrick Swayze disease”, Peter faced his diagnosis head-on.
“I’m not going to let fears and worries about tomorrow ruin my today. I’ll just take the most out of each day for as long as I possibly can,” he said
It was this determination and passion that Peter will be remembered for.
In a statement to Nine Network staff, CEO David Gyngell remembered ‘Harves’ as a larger-than-life figure:
“A man who loved his family above all, then his craft which he honed to an art form, and then his colleagues. And who could laugh at himself and the rest of us, and make us all smile.
“Peter Harvey will be fondly and deeply missed.”
Pancreatic cancer has the highest mortality rate of all the major cancers. It is so difficult to treat because it has recently been found to be caused by complications within any 2000 genes within the human DNA. Read about this discovery here.
Peter Harvey sadly passed away on Saturday night, some four months after his diagnosis.
Our best wishes and deepest condolences go to his wife Anne, his children Claire and Adam (both journalists), and his grandson Rory.
- Please click here for a more detailed biography about Harvey’s incredible forty-nine year career.
- If you would like to make a kind donation to cancer research in Peter Harvey’s memory, please click here.
