Vale Gordon Lewis

Former radio station manager Gordon Lewis has died aged 91. He passed away in Melbourne on Monday. A funeral service will be held in the Le Pine Chapel, 1048 Whitehorse Rd Box Hill on Friday June 15 commencing at 2.30 p.m. Gordon was General Manager at stations including 6PR, 2UW and 3TR. Former 3AW announcer Keith McGowan pays tribute to the man who gave him his first on air job at 3TR.

 

 

I first met Gordon Lewis in 1960 when I was 17 years old. We were in the Age building in Collins Street and I was doing an audition for 3TR, the station he managed for the Victorian Broadcasting Network.

 

I do remember how he welcomed me, and that I had no fear of him.  I could not have known what a dominant role he was to play in my 54 year radio career.  

 

Gordon Lewis was something of a “Mr Fix It” for the VBN as they moved him from 3SH to 3TR then to open and establish GLV 10 Gippsland (Traralgon) and then across to Perth to take over and build up 6PR-TZ-CI which was a basket-case in the 60’s.  

 

In 1964 when I was chopped from 7HO I rang Gordon to tell him I didn’t have a job. He said “Yes you have, when can you get here?”

 

The four years I spent at 6PR went like flash as Lewis built the station to the dominant position it held for years.

 

In the 70’s I bumped into Gordon Lewis again, this time at 2UW where he held an executive position in the Albert company.

 

Gordon was a true radio man, the kind that is sadly missing in our industry today.

 

Away from radio, Gordon Lewis was active in the Masonic Lodge and the RSL. He loved his football as well. In his “bush radio days” he was a handy caller and whilst in Perth became President of the Claremont Football Club in WAFL.  

 

A few years ago I visited Gordon at his home, and arranged to take him into 3AW to see “what a modern day station looked like”. He was like a kid again. You could see his eyes light up as he looked around in amazement. I understand he told so many people what a great day he had.

 

Gordon Lewis passed away on Monday, and since his death I have spoken with his wife of 70 years. I will see Patricia at the Funeral on Friday where I will say “thank you” to a man I was so very lucky to meet.

 

If you have a tribute to Gordon or a photo to share please send it to [email protected] or post comments below.