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Vale: Harry Potter

Veteran TEN reporter Harry Potter died last night following a battle with cancer, aged 72.

Screen Shot 2014-05-09 at 11.15.39 am.jpgVeteran TEN reporter Harry Potter died last night following a battle with cancer, aged 72.

Potter, with his distinct delivery and a name years before a literary character, joined TEN Eyewitness News in 1978.

He semi-retired from TEN in 2010 but remained as a consultant. In 2013 he became the first recipient of the John Kennedy Lifetime Achievement Award.

In a statement TEN Chief Executive Officer, Hamish McLennan, said, “Harry Potter was a giant of Australian journalism and devoted more than 50 years of his life to the profession. He defined crime reporting for a generation and his legacy remains a major part of the newsroom at TEN.

“Harry was in the front row of Australian police and crime reporting for the past half century and became a household name, bringing Australia’s criminal underworld and all of its colourful characters into the lounge rooms of TEN’s viewers.”

TEN Executive Director of News and Current Affairs, Peter Meakin, said: “Harry’s unique style, impeccable police contacts and genuine care for victims of crime led to decades of exclusive stories and lasting friendships. He was held in the highest regard not only by his family at TEN, but by the many police, families, journalists and cameramen he has worked with over the years.

“Harry joined TEN Eyewitness News in 1978 and in 2013 became the first recipient of the John Kennedy Lifetime Achievement Award. He will be sorely missed by everyone at TEN but his legacy lives on.”

Sandra Sully said: “The simplest way to sum up our regard for Harry Potter is that every year our Newsroom honours the best ‘Journalist of the Year’ with the Harry Potter Award.

“Harry set the standard at TEN News for honour, dignity and integrity in journalism. We are all so incredibly sad yet humbled to have known him and worked with him. He was and will remain a towering figure to all of us and we are grieving his loss.”

Network TEN sends its sincere condolences to his Harry Potter’s wife, Katrina Lee, and his children Tim, Nick, Elisa and Jack.

A family statement was also released:

“It is with heavy hearts that we announce our much loved husband, father and father-in-law Harry, passed away last night, surrounded by his family.

“Harry’s health deteriorated over the last month after a long battle with cancer.

“We would like to thank Harry’s many friends and colleagues for their love, prayers and support over many years.

“We particularly want to thank all the doctors, nurses and hospital staff for their incredible skill, care and dedication. You are truly amazing people.

“We were lucky to have the last month with Harry to reflect on so many wonderful times and to ensure this period was filled with love, music and laughter.

“Harry was first diagnosed with cancer more than a decade ago and the subsequent years we have enjoyed with Harry have been a blessing.

“Harry inspired us all with his tremendous fighting spirit, love of life and dedication to his family, friends and colleagues.

“Harry is the definition of a larger than life character and he will be with us forever.”

Harry was 72 (20/7/1941-8/5/14).

4 Responses

  1. Harry was a great,kind and gracious man. A true professional.
    He would openly talk about his battle with cancer like it was a game of squash…. ” I thought it had me cornered this time mate, but I was able to find a way around it”.
    I am grateful I had the good fortune to have worked with him.
    RIP Harry…. you were unique

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