Former ABC newsreader, soccer and public affairs commentator John (Martin) Royal passed away on the weekend aged 99, at Baptcare’s Karana nursing home in Kew.
John came to Australia at the end of WWII, joined the ABC, adopting the onair name of Martin as there was already a John Royal working in the Melbourne studios.
He went on to become one of the country’s most respected news readers and program presenters, first on radio, and later, from 1955, on TV.
John was also Australia’s first Soccer commentator (1954) and became the ‘Voice of Soccer’ until he retired in 1984.
He was also well known for his coverage of grand and official occasions, Royal visits, etc. and was the lead commentator, first on ABC radio and then TV, for events such as ANZAC Day marches and ceremonies.
Subscribe to the radioinfo daily flash briefing podcast on these platforms: Acast, Apple iTunes Podcasts, Podtail, Spotify, Google Podcasts, TuneIn, or wherever you get your podcasts.
