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Daily Mirror
19-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Penny Spence dead: Award winning TV presenter dies as tributes pour in
Penny Spence, who was one of Australia's first female newsreaders, has died at the age of 83. Her cause of death has not been confirmed. Australian TV presenter Penny Spence has passed away at 83. Penny was the first female newsreader in Australia's history. Her cause of death remains unconfirmed. Penny, who rose to fame in the late 1960s as one of the first women to read the news on TV in Australia, died earlier this month. The National Film and Sound Archive of Australia shared the sombre news on social media, stating: "We're saddened to hear of the passing of Penny Spence, a trailblazer in Australian television. Spence was part of a pioneering group of women who were the first women to read television news in Australia." Fiona Dear, Nine's Director of News and Current Affairs, paid tribute to Spence's groundbreaking career in a statement to Mediaweek: "Penny was a trailblazer for women in our industry, laying the path for countless women in television. With two Logies awarded to her, she was one of the country's most high profile news presenters for decades, and was one of the icons who made 9News 'still the one'. Her legacy lives on in TV newsrooms across the country and we send our condolences to her family." Before her time on Channel Nine, Penny fronted a women's current affairs programme on TCN9 – Channel Nine's broadcasting station. The Channel Nine icon became a household name in the late 1960s, presenting the afternoon news bulletin in New South Wales, while Brian Henderson took on the evening slot. Spencer's remarkable career was recognised with a Logie Award for Most Popular Female Personality in NSW in 1969, reports the Express. As tributes pour in, one individual reminisced: "I remember Penny as one of the best executives involved in children's television in the 1980s. Vale." Another simply expressed: "Very sad to hear this." After her stint at Channel Nine, Spencer took on a behind-the-scenes role, overseeing children's programming at the Nine Network. She later held the position of Executive Producer for the European Broadcasting Union's children's unit and was in charge of the popular 1985 Ray Meagher mini-series Colour in the Creek. The TV star then took her talents overseas as she became the Executive Producer of the European Broadcasting Union's children's unit and was at the helm of the popular 1985 series Colour in the Creek. Spencer also had a hand in several successful films such as Shipmates (1987), Sovereign Hill (1990), Hinkler: The Aviator (1990), and The Water Trolley (1988), which earned an International Emmy nomination. Her works live on as a selection of her produced works have been archived by the NFSA (National Film and Sound Archive of Australia). She was previously married to Channel Nine's musical director Geoff Harvey, who passed away in 2019, and is survived by her daughters Eugenie and Charlotte.
Sky News AU
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Sky News AU
Channel Nine presenter Penny Spence dies leaving behind lasting legacy in television industry
Television news pioneer Penny Spence has died at the age of 83. Spence was a pioneer in her industry with her status growing from the late 1960s. She was one of the first women to read television news on Channel Nine in Australia. The journalist presented the afternoon news for TCN9 in New South Wales with the renowned Brian Henderson presenting the evening bulletin. Spence died earlier this month, with The National Film and Sound Archive of Australia (NFSA) confirming the sad news on social media. 'We're saddened to hear of the passing of Penny Spence, a trailblazer in Australian television,' the statement read. 'Spence was part of a pioneering group of women who were the first women to read television news in Australia.' Spence was the first wife of legendary Channel Nine musical director Geoff Harvey. They had two daughters, Eugenie and Charlotte. Harvey died in 2019, aged 83. Spence worked across an array of roles at Nine as she fronted a women's current affairs programme and presented the weather, all while making herself a familiar face across NSW. She became a major force behind the cameras, establishing children's programs at the network. In 1969 she received a Logie Award for Most Popular Female Personality in NSW. Her success expanded globally, serving as Executive Producer of the European Broadcasting Union's children's unit. Spence managed the popular 1985 Ray Meagher mini-series Colour in the Creek. Her legacy lives on through an array of produced work archived by the NFSA. This included The Water Trolley (1988), which was nominated for an International Emmy, along with Shipmates (1987), Sovereign Hill (1990), and Hinkler: The Aviator (1990).
Economic Times
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Economic Times
Australian Actor Gerard Kennedy dies at 93
Gerard Kennedy in The Wentworth Siege Critically acclaimed Australian actor Gerard Kennedy died on April 21, 2025, at age 93 in a care home in Gosford, New South Wales. His career in film and television lasted more than 50 years. Kennedy was born on March 8, 1932, in Perth, and he began acting in theatre before moving to television. He became known for his role as Kragg in the 1960s series Hunter . Originally written as a villain, the character was changed due to Kennedy's popularity. He won the 1969 Logie Award for Best New Talent. He was best known for playing Detective Frank Banner in Division 4 from 1969 to 1975. The role earned him two Gold Logie Awards in 1970 and also appeared in shows such as Tandarra, Against the Wind, Skyways, and The Flying Doctors. His film credits included Newsfront (1978), The Lighthorsemen (1987), Wolf Creek 2 (2013), and Underbelly (2008). His final acting role was in 2015 in the TV series Glitch . In total, he appeared in over 80 productions and won two Silver Logies and three Penguin Awards from the Television Society of Australia, recognizing excellence in performance and contribution to television. Entertainment reporter Craig Bennett and actor Liz Burch described him as quiet and respectful. Bennett recalled that Kennedy kept his awards out of sight and was not focused on recognition, and was easy to work is survived by his daughter, Chrisanya.
Time of India
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Australian Actor Gerard Kennedy dies at 93
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel Critically acclaimed Australian actor Gerard Kennedy died on April 21, 2025, at age 93 in a care home in Gosford, New South Wales. His career in film and television lasted more than 50 was born on March 8, 1932, in Perth, and he began acting in theatre before moving to television. He became known for his role as Kragg in the 1960s series Hunter. Originally written as a villain, the character was changed due to Kennedy's popularity. He won the 1969 Logie Award for Best New was best known for playing Detective Frank Banner in Division 4 from 1969 to 1975. The role earned him two Gold Logie Awards in 1970 and also appeared in shows such as Tandarra, Against the Wind, Skyways, and The Flying Doctors. His film credits included Newsfront (1978), The Lighthorsemen (1987), Wolf Creek 2 (2013), and Underbelly (2008).His final acting role was in 2015 in the TV series Glitch. In total, he appeared in over 80 productions and won two Silver Logies and three Penguin Awards from the Television Society of Australia, recognizing excellence in performance and contribution to reporter Craig Bennett and actor Liz Burch described him as quiet and respectful. Bennett recalled that Kennedy kept his awards out of sight and was not focused on recognition, and was easy to work is survived by his daughter, Chrisanya.
