Peter Hitchener facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Peter Hitchener
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Peter Hitchener at a learning event in Melbourne
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| Born |
Peter Donald Beauchamp Hitchener
21 February 1946 |
| Occupation | News presenter |
| Years active | 1965–present |
| Employer | Nine Network |
| Television | Nine News |
Peter Donald Beauchamp Hitchener (born 21 February 1946) is a well-known Australian television presenter. He has worked in news broadcasting for over 58 years. Peter has spent more than 50 of those years with the Nine Network. Currently, he presents Nine News Melbourne on weekends. Before this, he was the main news presenter for Nine News Melbourne from 1998 to 2023.
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Peter's Career in News
Peter Hitchener grew up in a country town called Texas in Queensland. He started his media journey in 1965 at a radio station in Brisbane called 4BH. There, he wrote, edited, and presented news stories.
He then moved to the ABC in Brisbane. He worked as a news presenter for both television and radio. In 1973, he moved to Sydney, still with the ABC. He sometimes filled in as a presenter for the evening news.
After a year in Sydney, Peter joined the Nine Network. He presented National Nine News first in Sydney, then in Melbourne. He was a co-anchor for News Centre Nine in Melbourne. In 1977, Peter also started hosting a breakfast radio show on 3AW. He later moved to 3AK in 1979. Around this time, he also became the main weekend news presenter. He was also the backup for the main weeknight presenter, Brian Naylor. Peter left 3AK in 1985.
When Brian Naylor retired in 1998, Peter Hitchener took over. He became the main weeknight presenter for Nine News Melbourne. In 2008, he celebrated 10 years in this important role.
In January 2013, the Nine Network celebrated Peter's 40 years with the company. They held a special dinner where many people praised his work in news. They also spoke about his contributions to the community. In July 2014, Peter signed a new contract. This meant he would continue presenting Nine News for another five years.
On 29 March 2021, Peter was reading the news when he suddenly felt unwell. He had trouble reading the teleprompter, which shows the news script. He had to go home during the broadcast. It was later shared that he was suffering from a migraine, a severe headache. Another presenter, Alicia Loxley, filled in for him the next night.
In December 2021, it was announced that Peter would work four days a week from January 2022. He would present from Monday to Thursday. Alicia Loxley would present on Fridays.
In February 2022, Peter was named a Moomba Monarch. This is a special role in a big community festival in Melbourne. He shared the title with Fifi Box.
In November 2023, it was announced that Alicia Loxley and Tom Steinfort would take over the weeknight news. Peter Hitchener would move to presenting on weekends from January 2024.
Helping the Community
Peter Hitchener is very involved in charity work. In 1998, he became a patron for Able Australia. This group helps people with different disabilities. Since 2011, he has been a patron for Dogs Victoria. This group supports dog breeders and owners in Victoria.
He is also an Ambassador for the Lort Smith Animal Hospital. This hospital helps sick and injured animals. Peter often supports and speaks at other charity events in Melbourne.
Awards and Honours
Peter Hitchener received the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in 2017. This award is given to people who have done great things for Australia. He received it "For service to the broadcast media as a journalist and television presenter, and to the community."
About Peter's Life
For a short time in the 1970s, Peter lived in Eltham.
Peter is a big fan of sports. He supports the St Kilda Football Club in the Australian Football League. He is also the number-one ticket holder for the Sandringham Football Club in the VFL.
See also
- List of Australian TV news presenters year by year
