Peter Ryan OAM, the former ABC chief business and finance correspondent, has died at the age of 64, just a month after retiring due to ill health.
Ryan had been battling metastatic thyroid cancer and had moved into palliative care after leaving the ABC in June.
A Distinguished Career Spanning Decades
Throughout his career, Ryan worked as the ABC Washington bureau chief and head of TV news and current affairs in Melbourne.
He was first diagnosed with cancer in 2014, but continued to work until his retirement, earning him the Order of Australia medal in 2022 for his service to journalism.
A Legacy That Will Be Remembered
“Peter leaves a significant legacy. Through his mentorship, friendship, and professionalism, he directly touched the lives of many at the ABC,” said ABC news director Justin Stevens.
“Through his journalism, he had a profound impact on the lives of Australians and our society.”
Awards and Accolades
Treasurer Jim Chalmers described Ryan as an “absolute legend” upon his retirement, stating that “every day as you wake up and think about what’s happening in the economy, if you only needed to listen to one voice to be sure that you got its essential elements, it would be Peter’s.”
From Humble Beginnings to a Legendary Career
Ryan began his career as a copy boy at the Sydney Daily Mirror in 1980 at the age of 18.
In his parting words of advice, Ryan said, “One strong message I have is, never let anyone tell you the good old days were really that good – that’s a bit of a myth.”
A Life Dedicated to Journalism
Ryan is survived by his wife, Mary, and daughter, Charlotte.
His legacy will be remembered for his dedication to journalism and his ability to break down complex issues into simple, understandable parts.