Tributes are pouring in for a popular television and radio veteran known as one of ABC’s “preeminent journalists.”
Tim Bowden, who died in his sleep at the age of 87, is a familiar face to many Australians after a decades-long career at the national broadcaster.
After joining the ABC’s Radio Drama and Feature Films department in 1975, the successful journalist began making documentaries.
Tim also founded Radio National’s Social History Unit and presented the Talking History and That’s History programmes in the mid-1980s.
But Bowden became best known for the television program Backchat, which ran from 1986 to 1994.
He hosted the program and answered letters from ABC viewers.
ABC executive David Anderson led the stream of tributes.
“(Tim was) a storyteller whose curiosity about the world around him was appreciated by many of our audiences,” he said.
Tim Bowden, who has died aged 87, worked for the ABC for decades as a correspondent, radio presenter, producer and television presenter. He also wrote an impressive 15 books
The father of two and grandfather of three (pictured) was known to many Australians after joining the ABC in 1963
‘Tim was part of the generation of ABC journalists who brought the events and their meaning into Australian living rooms every night.’
Bowden’s death has caused great sadness among fans and former colleagues across the country.
Mike Carlton wrote on X that he was “deeply saddened” to hear the news about his “old mate” and “colleague.”
“Sensible and witty, exceptionally good company, a great journalist of the old school,” he wrote.
ABC radio presenter Sabra Lane wrote: ‘Vale Tim Bowden – ABC journalist, foreign correspondent, Backchat presenter. Also a Tasmanian treasure’.
Author Daniel Best said: ‘Incredibly sad to hear. His book on Neil Davis, ‘One Crowded Hour’, is a masterpiece.’
“I still look at it from time to time. Mr Bowden was a rare writer, one who put the story first, and rightly so. May he rest easy, and I’m sure he shares a laugh with Neil,” he said.
One fan posted: ‘Absolutely devastated to hear of Tim Bowden’s passing. I’m a huge fan and every episode of Backchat I find is a good day for me.’
The animated opening of the hit ABC show Backchat, hosted by Tim Bowden
The presenter was born in Hobart and graduated in arts before working for the BBC’s General Overseas Service in London from 1960 to 1962.
Bowden worked for the BBC and the Pacific Service as a radio interviewer and producer.
After returning from Europe in 1963, he first joined the ABC in Tasmania, where he worked in both radio and television.
Bowden became a correspondent in Asia and North America during the turbulent period of the mid- to late 1960s, providing Australians with insights into events affecting the region.
The journalist then returned to producing, becoming the first executive producer of PM, a current affairs program on ABC radio in 1969.
Bowden also made ‘astonishing’ documentaries about Australian research taking place in Antarctica, footage of which is still being broadcast.
But his talents didn’t stop there: the grandfather wrote no fewer than 15 books, including ‘One Crowded Hour – Neil Davis, Combat Cameraman, 1934-85’ in 1987 and ‘The Changi Camera’ in 2012.
The journalist (pictured) is described as ‘generous to his colleagues’ and as one of the ABC’s ‘leading journalists’
According to Anderson, the journalist was “part of the fabric of the ABC for decades” and made a “huge contribution” not only to the ABC but to the nation.
“He was generous to his colleagues and was known for his sense of humour and his passion for journalism and the ABC,” he said.
“Our condolences go out to Tim’s family and many friends and colleagues.”
Bowden was awarded the Order of Australia in 1994 for services to public broadcasting.