Veteran broadcaster Arthur Higgins, whose career spanned six decades and saw him cover everything from the Moon landing to the September 11 attacks, has died at the age of 85.
The English-born presenter, whose baritone voice earned him the nickname “Big Daddy” in media circles, was known for his encyclopedic sporting knowledge as well as his love of broadcasting, affectionately telling his hometown newspaper in 2015 that anyone thinking of getting into the industry should “go for it”.
“It’s a terrific life. I had 57 years of it and enjoyed every single second,” he told Peninsula Essence.
His death was confirmed by his daughter, Gemma Dewar, who told the ABC she and the rest of his family had received a flood of messages since his passing.
“It’s been wonderful and overwhelming, as his daughter — we just wish that he could have known he had that impact on so many people,” she said.
Born in England during World War II, some of Higgins’s earliest memories included hearing air raid sirens as German planes flew overhead.
He also recalled listening to pirate radio stations as a young man, sparking an interest in broadcasting that continued when his family moved to Australia.
Beginning his career in Brisbane, Higgins worked at radio stations 4BH and 4BC before shifting to television with a move to Channel Nine.
Where were you when we walked on the Moon?
It was there that, still early in his career, he was called on to talk viewers through part of the Apollo 11 Moon landing in 1969, after the station’s live feed temporarily failed.
After more stints on radio and TV across Brisbane, Canberra and Sydney — including at ratings contender 2GB — Higgins landed back at Channel Nine, this time in Melbourne.
By now an accomplished sports presenter, he worked there for 14 years alongside newsreaders Peter Hitchener and Mickie de Stoop, covering major events including four Olympic Games, six Sydney to Hobart yacht races, and the America’s Cup.
He finished his television career reading the news on the ABC before transitioning to radio permanently in the 1990s, in particular becoming known for his calling of Melbourne Storm games on 3AK.
“He was the only one willing to broadcast the Storm games when they first launched,” Mrs Dewar said.
“He loved the Storm, and the [Hawthorn] Hawks, and that love of his teams was passed down to his children and some of his grandchildren.”
Arthur Higgins in a promo for Melbourne radio station 3DB in 1986. (Supplied)
In 2001, while working at 3UZ — now called RSN Racing & Sport — Higgins was at home one night when news broke of the September 11 attacks in New York City.
Driving to the studio, he began to cover the tragedy as it unfolded, reading wire services and relaying updates to his audience — even turning on CNN and holding up a microphone to the TV speakers when they interviewed guests.
“He was always calm in a crisis, and that can happen in sport and news,” Mrs Dewar said.
Also known for his sense of humour, Mrs Dewar said her father fondly recalled a time they were out to lunch and were approached by an older lady who seemed to recognise him.
She asked him: “Excuse me, didn’t you used to be Arthur Higgins?”
After retiring in Melbourne, Higgins spoke fondly of his time in the media, but said the shift to 24-hour coverage made possible by the internet had, ironically, cheapened news presenters’ relationship with the audience.
“There is a lot of warmth missing; the presenters don’t connect with their audience like they used to,” he told Peninsula Essence.
“A pet hate of mine is social media. I won’t go near it.”
Higgins is survived by his daughters Gemma and Genine, as well as his two brothers, six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.