Retiree with a passion for news

The gift of the gab, a way with words and an ability to communicate with people from all walks of life are fundamental skills of a good journalist, says Bevan Brown.

The former Channel Nine news anchor, newspaper owner and ABC Sunshine Coast weather presenter had an illustrious career reporting on events happening Australia-wide.

Mr Brown (pictured) recently moved to Queensland’s retirement village, Tabeel Lutheran Home. 

The retiree now reflects on his years as a reporter. In 1974, he reported on Cyclone Tracy in Darwin via an Australian Navy line when all other communication was completely cut off.

“It was dreadful and all I can remember thinking was ‘run’. The noise was the worst thing and the place was totally destroyed,” he said.

“However, to be the first person on the job breaking a news item gives you a good feeling.”

It wasn’t all doom and gloom for Mr Brown during his seven-year stint living in the Northern Territory.

“I sailed my own yacht competing in the Darwin to Dili (in East Timor) on the first race, just before the cyclone (Tracy), and we came fifth,” he said.

“I also participated in the first Beer Can Regatta which got publicity all around the world. In Darwin things happen which you would never expect.” 

A passion for writing and the pursuit of truth were catalysts for the 83-year-old to pursue a career in the media.

His principal love was sports reporting for print media. He was the sports editor for the Darwin Times and Hervey Bay Observer.

“I loved sport, particularly tennis and squash. With newspaper reporting you can get right into your soul and focus on crafting your writing.”

Mr Brown’s career started with humble beginnings in writing for a tennis club. His career evolved to become part owned a regional newspaper and eventually presented the news on Channel Nine for 15 years.

“I took everything in my stride and focused on the job,” he said.

“I got a tremendous amount of enjoyment out of it. I’ve covered everything of interest.

“I’ve been overseas a lot and around Australia twice and I’ve written about travel in newspapers too.”

He recognised the impact digital technology is having on the professional landscape.

“It has changed journalism in particular; it has upped the ante on the speed of everything happening and the momentum of the information communicated,” he said.

Mr Brown shared some hot tips for upcoming journalists which stemmed from his wealth of experience.

“A lot of journalists make the mistake of getting into the nitty gritty of a story before compiling, researching and doing the groundwork,” he said.

“You need to tell a story as close to the truth as you can, stick there and don’t try to elaborate.”