Tribute to Former ABC radio and TV presenter David Hawkes

Former ABC radio and television presenter David Hawkes has died aged 83 in Perth.

The veteran broadcaster worked for the ABC and commercial networks in New South Wales, Queensland and Western Australia for more than four decades.

A statement from his former colleague and ABC presenter, Peter Holland, said Mr Hawkes died peacefully at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital at 8:00pm on Thursday 24th June, 2021.

He was surrounded by his family.

It’s worth noting that David Hawkes had a big impact on broadcasting training in Western Australia.

Though David began his broadcasting career in Queensland, he later became well known to WA viewers and listeners. David took over the 6WF (720) breakfast program from John Juan in 1974, presented concerts with the WA Symphony Orchestra, recitals for ABC Classic FM, hosted the program “Jazz on the Terrace” and provided commentary for countless outside broadcasts: Royal visits, Anzac Day, and other special occasions.

For ABC television in WA, David read the news, fronted the games show “Fair Go!”, co-hosted the cooking program “Two for the Pot”, presented concert telecasts from the Perth Concert Hall, was anchor for the current affairs show “State Wide”, and link for many election night Tally room specials.

David was also responsible for setting up the department of Media Performance, at the WA academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA), in Edith Cowan University. WAAPA was established in 1980 to provide performing arts tuition comparable to the highest calibre of national and international training benchmarks to be able to meet industry needs around the globe.

Former ABC announcers filled the position of Head of WAAPA Broadcasting on all occasions to date.

• David Hawkes was the first Head of WAAPA Broadcasting
• Anne Conti was the second Head of WAAPA Broadcasting
• Earl Reeve was the third Head of WAAPA Broadcasting
• Murray Jennings was the fourth Head of WAAPA Broadcasting 1995-2005
• Whilst Peter Holland was the fifth Head of WAAPA Broadcasting

The school is located in the suburb of Mount Lawley, Perth, Western Australia. It is regarded as one of Australia’s leading performance training institutions.

WAAPA also teaches acting, music theatre, directing, dance, jazz and contemporary music, classical music, arts management, production, design, as well as broadcasting.

Former colleague Peter Holland credited Mr Hawkes with being one of the most skilled and experienced broadcasters in Australia.

"[David was] highly regarded by his colleagues and friends," he said.

"For many years in retirement, he conducted a monthly luncheon of old ABC announcers who would get together and exchange tales of the past.

There was a get-together of friends and colleagues in memory of David and paid tribute to him on the 26th July, 2021, at a Memorial Mingle, kindly catered for by the Inglewood Hotel.

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