Veteran Australian television news presenter Richard Morecroft dies aged 70

Veteran television presenter Richard Morecroft has died at the age of 70 following a cancer diagnosis. The Guardian, the Daily Mail, and abc.net.au all reported his death on Tuesday. A spokesperson confirmed that Morecroft died peacefully on the south coast of New South Wales with his partner of 36 years, Alison Mackay, by his side. According to the Daily Mail, abc.net.au, and News24, he passed away at a time of his choosing. [1][2][3][7]

Morecroft presented the ABC New South Wales 7pm news bulletin for nearly two decades from 1983 until 2002, the Guardian and abc.net.au both reported. Before moving to Sydney, he presented the ABC news bulletin in South Australia. Beyond presenting the main news bulletin, he also hosted Letters and Numbers on SBS and the children's current affairs program Behind the News on the ABC, according to abc.net.au. [1][3]

The British born broadcaster was also a dedicated environmental advocate, the Guardian reported. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese paid tribute to him as one of the great broadcasters of his generation and recalled Morecroft keeping an infant flying fox under his desk while presenting the news. Morecroft was involved with several conservation organisations, including serving as a trustee for the World Wide Fund for Nature and a patron for WIRES. [1][8][9]

In addition to his broadcast career, Morecroft was an accomplished landscape photographer and mixed-media artist whose artwork was included in collections such as Australian Parliament House. He was a regular presence on Australian television screens for more than 30 years. [3][9]