Australian sport and racing icon Graham McNeice dies aged 76 following a short illness
Australian sporting and racing icon Graham McNeice has died at the age of 76 after a short illness.
During his celebrated 60-year career, McNiece worked as a racing commentator, presenter and documentary maker.
He began his career at the age of 17 in 1965, working with legendary greyhound racing commentator Frank Kennedy on regional NSW radio station 2KA.
Graham remained with the station for over a decade, later moving to Channel Ten after being offered a job as a sports presenter.
In 1984 he reported on the Olympic Games in Los Angeles for the channel.
In the early 2000s, he became a documentary producer and led several critically acclaimed productions.
In 2005, he joined Foxtel and created the investigative series CIA: Crime Investigation Australia, which provided an in-depth look at shocking true crimes across the country.
Many of Graham’s famous friends immediately came out to pay tribute following the news on Thursday.
Australian sporting and racing icon Graham McNeice has died at the age of 76 after a short illness. Pictured
“It’s a very sad day, we’ve lost a beautiful soul,” said Australian entrepreneur John Singleton.
“Nobody has a bad word to say about Graham. That’s so rare in the media industry.”
Meanwhile, Sky Racing caller Darren Flindell posted on social media that Graham’s passing is a great loss to the industry.
“He was the most selfless, caring man I have ever had the pleasure of calling a good friend,” Darren began.
‘Graham struggled with many health issues this year but passed away peacefully. He was deeply loved by his family and many friends, many of whom had their careers shaped and nurtured by this brilliant man.’
Horse racing expert Jo McKinnon also shared a tribute to Graham, writing: ‘He was extraordinary. He gave me my start in the racing media world in 1998 as the first female presenter on the Sky Channel. My boss, mentor and a father figure.’
Graham helped many iconic Australian presenters get their start in show business, including Sunrise co-host Matt ‘Shirvo’ Shirvington and Channel Nine newsreader Peter Overton.
Overton paid tribute to his late friend live during the broadcast and revealed that McNeice was his daughter’s godfather.
‘One of our finest documentary makers, a friend of mine for 40 years and godfather to my eldest daughter Graham, we will miss you so much. Our thoughts and prayers go out to “His family and friends,” Peter said.
During his celebrated 60-year career, McNiece worked as a racing commentator, presenter and documentary film producer
Many of Graham’s famous friends were quick to pay tribute following the news on Thursday. Pictured with Sunrise co-host Matt ‘Shirvo’ Shirvington