West Australian broadcaster Peter Waltham has died, aged 83. His radio career started back in 1959 with 6IX.
Joining Channel Seven full time as a news reader in 1966, Peter broadcast news of the Moon landing, two Olympic Games and his very first interview was with then Prime Minister Robert Menzies.
In 1977 Peter left Seven to drive around the world by road, more than 46,000 kms. He is pictured here in Zimbabwe’s elephant camp. While travelling Kerry Packer approached him to work with Richie Benaud to broadcast the World Series Cricket but Peter turned him down, conscious of the impact of non stop travel on his wife and young family.
He would later move to Channel 9 before joining community station Curtin Radio 25 years ago. There he presented a morning program and Down Memory Lane playing his favourite golden oldies. Around his radio involvement Peter and his family still travelled copiously with many Curtin Radio listeners joining them over the years.
Last year Peter sat down with Have a Go News for his first interview in more than three decades, saying:
“A great song is a great song whether it’s from Glenn Miller, Elvis, Ed Sheeran or Shania Twain. My favourite songs include Born to Lose by Shirley Bassey, Papa Can You Hear Me by Michael Crawford, Harvest Moon by Neil Young and Unchained Melody by the Righteous Brothers.
“I play songs I hope the audience can relate to and will bring back memories.”
Curtin Radio said:
You can read the many memories, stories and adventures inspired by Peter in Curtin Radio’s post and the comments below.