Derryn Hinch, the veteran broadcaster and former senator, has died at the age of 82. The media figure, known as 'the human headline', passed away overnight at his home, with Melbourne radio station 3AW leading tributes. Hinch had reportedly been in poor health since a recent fall.
Career in Journalism and Broadcasting
Hinch began his career as a newspaper reporter before moving into television and radio. He was perhaps most prominently a presenter on 3AW, which on Friday reported his death. Hinch was the face of Nine's Midday Show for 13 years and hosted multiple current affairs programs, including the eponymous Hinch from 1988 to 1994.
Tributes from 3AW and Colleagues
In a statement, 3AW described him as “a titan of Australian broadcasting and a figure inextricably linked to the heartbeat of Melbourne radio”. The station noted his 2010 induction into the Australian Commercial Radio Hall of Fame, adding: “Listeners, even those who did not always agree with his stance, held a deep respect for his unwavering dedication and the palpable passion he brought to every issue.”
One of Hinch's friends, 3AW host Darren James, told the network on Friday that he was “yet to process” the death. “He messages me every morning … I didn’t get the messages this morning,” James said.
Political Career and Activism
Outside of his media career, Hinch served as a senator for Victoria in his eponymous Justice Party between 2016 and 2019. He was also well-known for campaigning against paedophiles, and was repeatedly found in contempt for breaching court orders.
Hinch's legacy includes his impact on talkback radio and his uncompromising broadcasting style. As 3AW stated, “He leaves behind a legacy of uncompromising, compelling broadcasting that fundamentally shaped the station he called home for so many years.”
