Patricia Barraclough death: Legendary ABC producer of top presenter Kerry O’Brien dies – as close mate Cheryl Kernot pays tribute
A former ABC top producer who once worked with popular presenter Kerry O’Brien has sadly died.
Former Queensland senator Cheyrl Kernot shared the news on social media on Wednesday that her close friend Patricia Barraclough had passed away.
“My dear friend @PMBarraclough passed away yesterday,” she wrote in a post on X.
“Many of you appreciated her photography here. She spent the last few days in a hospice in Canberra, where she had beautiful views of the lake and the late spring greenery.
‘I will miss her humor & wisdom immensely.’
Former Queensland Senator Cheyrl Kernot (right) shared the sad news on Wednesday that her close friend and ex-ABC producer, Patricia Barraclough (left), had passed away
Mrs Barraclough started working for the ABC in the 1970s (pictured left with ex-partner)
Ms Barraclough previously worked in Australian television and radio for four decades.
She joined the ABC in the 1970s and worked on the daily current affairs program This Day Tonight.
She was the first presenter of Lateline, alongside top presenter Kerry O’Brien, and was co-creator and first supervising producer of Australian Story.
Ms Barraclough has worked on 7.30 ACT, formerly Stateline ACT, for 13 years.
It is understood that she has been battling cancer, although the cause of her death has not been made public.
Guardian columnist Amanda Meade responded to Ms Kernot’s post on X.
“Oh no, Cheryl, I’m so sorry to hear that. I enjoyed Trish’s tweets and her love of kangaroos and nature. Very sad x,” she wrote.
Ms Barraclough (pictured) has worked in Australian television and radio for 40 years, including alongside popular presenter Kerry O’Brien
Others sympathized with the loss of Ms Kernot and also paid tribute to the beloved ex-producer.
“She was an amazing person,” said one X user.
‘I first met her when she was producing for Kerry O’Brien. Smart, connected, cool and very funny. Very sad to hear this. Condolences to family and friends.’
“It was a privilege and a pleasure to follow her and I will miss her beautiful photos and her perspective on things,” wrote another.
A third said: ‘@PMBarraclough will be sadly missed. Her posts were a reminder of a gentler approach.”
Kerry O’Brien said in 2014 that Ms Barraclough was “one of the very best I have worked with in almost 50 years in journalism”.
Ms Barraclough’s Instagram profile describes her as a retired ex-TV producer and amateur photographer, but also as ‘on a somewhat rocky road to cancer’.
Her Instagram feed is full of nature photography, especially flowers.
Ny Breaking Australia has contacted the ABC for comment.