‘Absolute legend’: Veteran ABC journalist Peter Ryan dies at 64 after battle with cancer
Experienced ABC and Walkley award -winning journalist Peter Ryan died after fighting thyroid cancer.
In 2014, the journalist, who worked as a reporter for 45 years with ABC, was diagnosed with metastatic thyroid cancer.
He died in Sydney on Friday night, his family confirmed. He was 64 years old.
Ryan, who had a 45 -year career in journalism, spread to multiple roles.
Before moving to ABC, Sydney Daily Mirror started as a student and a copy, where he worked as the head of TV news in Victoria and the existing works of the ABC Washington Bureau.
He is also the founding editor of Lateline Business, which became a business in 2012 in 2006.
Ryan won the Walkley Award in 2017 because it covers the Commonwealth Bank scandal with millions of dollars flowing from the bank’s smart deposit machines to drug unions.
In 2022, he ordered the Australian Medal for serving journalism.
Ryan, who worked as a senior business reporter from 2016, retired for his role in June and went to palliative care and chose to spend more time with his wife married Cotter and daughter Charlotte.
On Ryan’s retirement, Treasurer Jim Chalmers said that the ABC journalist was “an absolute legend”.
“You think what happens when you wake up every day and what happens in the economy, if you need to listen to a single voice to make sure you just get the basic elements, it would be Peter,” he said.
Former ABC breakfast presenter Michael Rowland paid a tribute to Ryan on Sunday evening and described him as a “bold” and “generous mentor” reporter in journalism.
“Many ABC has had a great impact on his career, Row Rowland wrote. “We all lost a good one.”
ABC News Senior Director Justin Stevens, Ryan’ın “an important legacy” left behind, he said.
“Thanks to its mentoring, friendship and professionalism, it touched the lives of many people in ABC directly,” he said.
“Thanks to his journalism, he had a deep impact on the lives of Australians and our society.
“It was a privilege to get to know and work with him.”
Before he retired in 2025, the journalist offered a advice to other buds.
“Avoid cynicism – be passionate. A good team can often be a very small team – I worked in some of the best,” he said.
“Be proactive – come to the table with a great story, so no one can find a dud that can waste your time.
“Work closely with senior people – close like your jaw and a sponge.
“Protect a meticulous contact book-some low-profile contacts can soon move to higher power roles, or, more importantly, they can work in the back rooms where large decisions are frequently taken.
“Come early and prove that you are ready to take the big story of the day.
“Try to be a plan B in your back pocket if your original bright idea does not go anywhere and EP is on your way.
“Finally, he’s gentle and cares about people who need it.”
