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Vale: Mike Bailey

Former presenter, best known for presenting ABC News Sydney weather, has died.

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Retired presenter Mike Bailey, best known for presenting ABC News Sydney weather, has died, aged 71.

He died in hospital after falling ill recently.

Bailey started as a cadet journalist at the ABC in 1968, then left the network in 1972 for Seven, where he worked for 13 years, presenting weather including alongside Roger Climpson.

He returned to the ABC in 1985 as weather presenter for The National, leaving in 2007 for a shot at politics with Labor, but was not elected.

He also presented weather on Nine News Sydney, plus Radio 2KY and 2GB and was lecturer in radio journalism at Macleay College in Sydney. He was also a Chairman of Wests Ashfield Leagues Club, Western Suburbs District Rugby League Football Club and Wests Tigers.

Last year he received an OAM for service to rugby league, and to the community.

Married to former Romper Room host ‘Miss Helena’, he once said of being typecast as a weatherman: “I have moments when I do regret doing the weather but you can only live life one way.”

ABC managing director David Anderson said, “We were saddened to hear today of the death of journalist Mike Bailey.

“Mike started his career at the ABC in 1968 as a cadet journalist and was part of the ABC family. After leaving the national broadcaster to work at the Seven Network for some years, he returned to the ABC to join current affairs program The National, before becoming a much-loved nightly fixture on our screens presenting the weather report on the NSW 7pm News until 2007. He was an accomplished journalist and presenter, a respected and well-liked colleague and loved by viewers. We extend our sincere condolences to Mike’s family and friends.”

Michael Rowland said on Twitter, “Some really sad news..former ABC weather presenter Mike Bailey has died in hospital after falling ill recently. He was superb at his craft and was a genuinely nice man. My sympathies to his family and friends.”

Juanita Phillips said, “So terribly sad to hear of the death of the ABC’s legendary weatherman Mike Bailey. He was a true gentleman – good values, proud of his craft and a delight to work with.”

Wendy Harmer said, “Such a familiar, authoritative and trusted voice. Sad news indeed. Vale.”

Source: Twitter, Daily Telegraph

6 Responses

  2. The tribute on 9 news was lousy. I know they had had some technical issues but failed to mention his time at seven. TV channels in this country can be so petty

    1. The tribute to Mike Bailey published in the Sydney Morning Herald (a Nine newspaper) mentioned that he had a “stint” at Seven.

      He was at Seven for 13 years, I think that warrants more than being just regarded as a “stint”?

      Rest in Peace, Mike.

  3. This is so sad. Mike was a lovely man and a wonderful presenter. I worked with him in the 1990’s and was always impressed by his professionalism and good grace. He was a whizz with timing and if you asked him to do a weather report of any given duration, he would deliver it to the second! He was a delight to work with. Gone too soon. My condolences to his loved ones.

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