Australia’s first weather presenter Alan Wilkie dies peacefully at the age of 94
Australia’s first weather forecaster Alan Wilkie dies peacefully at age 94 – just weeks after his brother that forecaster passed away
Australian meteorologist Alan Wilkie has died at the age of 94.
The TV presenter passed away peacefully on Monday night surrounded by his three children, Andrew, Katrina and Michelle.
Alan became Australia’s first weather presenter after landing a role on ABC News in 1956.
He also presented the weather on Seven Nightly News from 1968 to 1976 and Nine News Sydney from 1977 to 2001.
Alan grew up in the small coastal town of Childers in Queensland and studied science at the University of Queensland.
Australia’s first weather presenter, Alan Wilkie, has passed away peacefully at the age of 94
He then took a postgraduate course in meteorology in Melbourne and worked at the Commonwealth Bureau of Meteorology.
Alan told The Australian Women’s Weekly in 1977, “Even after all this time I’m amazed that people recognize me.”
“They seem to know everything about me, they even recognize my voice.”
He continued, “I don’t take myself seriously as a television personality, but I do take it seriously again.”
The TV presenter passed away peacefully on Monday night surrounded by his three children, Andrew, Katrina and Michelle
Alan became Australia’s first weather presenter after landing a role on ABC News in 1956. He also presented the weather on Seven Nightly News from 1968 to 1976 and Nine News Sydney from 1977 to 2001.
Alan is the brother of well-known Channel 10 weather presenter Ray Wilkie, who died in May at the age of 98.
Brisbane 4BC radio host Spencer Howson announced the news at the time, saying he received the sad information from Ray’s son.
Ray’s illustrious career began after serving his country during World War II in the Royal Australian Air Force.
After his military service, he pursued academic excellence, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Queensland, then began meteorological studies in Melbourne.
Like Alan, his long career with the Bureau of Meteorology also spanned more than three decades, holding notable positions such as Regional Director in Brisbane and Darwin.
Alan is the brother of well-known Channel 10 weather forecaster Ray Wilkie (pictured), who died in May at the age of 98