Peter Hitchener facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Peter Hitchener
|
|
|---|---|
Hitchener at the 2012 U3A Carnival of Learning at Federation Square, Melbourne
|
|
| Born |
Peter Donald Beauchamp Hitchener
21 February 1946 |
| Occupation | News presenter |
| Years active | 1965–present |
| Employer | Nine Network |
| Television | Nine News |
Peter Hitchener (born 21 February 1946) is a well-known Australian television news presenter. He has worked in news for over 60 years! Peter has been with the Nine Network for a very long time. From 1998 to 2023, he was the main news presenter for Nine News Melbourne on weeknights. Since January 2024, he has been presenting the news on weekends.
Contents
Peter Hitchener's Career in News
Peter Hitchener started his media journey in 1965. He began at a radio station in Brisbane, Queensland. There, he wrote, edited, and presented news reports.
Early Days at ABC and Nine Network
After his time in Brisbane, Peter moved to the ABC. He worked as a news presenter for both television and radio. In 1973, he moved to Sydney, still with the ABC.
A year later, Peter joined the Nine Network. He presented National Nine News in Sydney. Later, he moved to Melbourne to co-anchor News Centre Nine.
Becoming a Main News Presenter
In 1977, Peter also started hosting a breakfast radio show on 3AW. He then moved to another radio station, 3AK, in 1979. Around this time, he also became the main weekend news presenter for Nine. He was also the backup for the chief weeknight presenter, Brian Naylor.
When Brian Naylor retired in 1998, Peter Hitchener took over. He became the main presenter for Nine News Melbourne on weeknights. In 2008, he celebrated 10 years in this important role.
Celebrating Milestones and New Roles
In January 2013, the Nine Network celebrated Peter's 40 years with them. Many people spoke about his great work in news and the community. In July 2014, he signed a new contract to continue presenting Nine News.
In December 2021, it was announced that Peter would work four days a week. From January 2022, he presented from Monday to Thursday. Alicia Loxley started presenting on Fridays.
In February 2022, Peter was named a Moomba Monarch. This is an honor given during Melbourne's Moomba Festival.
In November 2023, the Nine Network announced a change. Alicia Loxley and Tom Steinfort would become the weeknight presenters. Peter Hitchener moved to presenting the news on weekends from January 2024.
Peter Hitchener's Community Work
Peter Hitchener is very involved in helping the community. In 1998, he became a supporter of 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, which cares for animals. Peter often supports and speaks at many other charity events in Melbourne.
Awards and Recognition
Peter Hitchener received the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in 2017. This award was given to him for his service to broadcast media as a journalist and television presenter, and for his work in the community.
More About Peter Hitchener
For a short time in the 1970s, Peter lived in Eltham.
See Also
- List of Australian TV news presenters year by year
