Friends farewell “the bear”

“Lunch with Sorell was not an occasion for eating,” said Tracy Grimshaw.

Indeed legendary Nine News Director John Sorell rarely returned from lunch before three — more often, closer to four, writes The Age’s Ben Doherty.

Sorell, who died last week, aged 71, was the driving force behind the news at Bendigo Street for 28 years, equally as famous for his fierce intelligence and unerring news judgement as for his long, gregarious lunches.

On Friday colleagues gathered to farewell the man who led Nine News in Melbourne to an unbeatable position under his reign.

Grimshaw and newsreader Peter Hitchener were two of five mourners who spoke at the funeral in Richmond.

“He had an innate feeling for what Melbourne wanted to watch,” Hitchener said.

“He could be outrageous and over the top. Everything he did he painted on a canvas with broad strokes.”

Grimshaw added: “There were only two women in the newsroom when he started . . . within a few years, half the staff were women. He liked strong chicks. . . . His newsroom was no place for shrinking violets.”

Sorell’s wake was conducted in a fashion of which he would have thoroughly approved: a well-presented, entertaining and informative service … followed by an open bar.

The song with which he was farewelled summed up a man who made a unique impression on Melbourne journalism: My Way.

You can read more memories on Sorell at The Age and Herald Sun.