Peter Leonard (journalist) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Peter Leonard
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Peter Leonard attending the 75th birthday celebrations for Canberra radio station 2CA on 14 November 2006
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| Born |
Peter Antony Leonard
21 February 1942 |
| Died | 23 September 2008 (aged 66) Mawson, Australian Capital Territory
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| Occupation | Journalist, newsreader |
| Spouse(s) | Gwen Leonard |
| Children | 3 |
Peter Antony Leonard (born February 21, 1942 – died September 23, 2008) was a well-known Australian journalist and newsreader. He was famous for presenting the news on TV, especially in Canberra. Peter was also very active in helping his community and supporting charities.
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About Peter Leonard
Peter was born in a town called Yass, New South Wales. His father was an immigrant from Greece. Peter went to school in Yass and then to Canberra Grammar School. His family moved to Canberra in 1956.
Peter had a long career, working for 45 years in media. He started at a radio station called 2CA in Canberra in 1962. He began as a writer and later became an announcer and newsreader. In 1982, he moved to ABC Canberra. There, he read the radio news and later became a TV newsreader and weather presenter.
His most famous role was presenting WIN News in Canberra. He did this from 1991 until July 2007. Besides his news work, Peter also helped with communications for other organizations.
Community Work
Peter was very involved in helping others. He was part of several charity groups. From 1989 to 1998, he was on the board of the ACT Cancer Council. He also served on the board of the ACT Multiple Sclerosis Society.
Because of his great community service, he was named an Honorary Ambassador for Canberra. He also became the Canberra Citizen of the Year in 1991. In 2007, he received a special award for his work in community media. He was the first person to get this award.
Peter passed away on September 23, 2008, at the age of 66. He had been diagnosed with a serious illness earlier that year. He was survived by his wife, Gwen, his three children, and his six grandchildren. His funeral service was held in Ainslie, where many family, friends, and colleagues gathered.
Peter Leonard Scholarship
After Peter's passing, a special journalism scholarship was created in his honor. The ACT Government and WIN-TV helped fund it. This scholarship helps talented journalism students at the University of Canberra.
The Peter Leonard Scholarship aims to recognize amazing students each year. Winners receive $5000 and get to work for two weeks at WIN Television in Canberra. Other students who do well receive $1000 and a one-week internship at WIN.
Scholarship Winners
- 2009 – Lisa Mosley
- 2010 – Philip Prior
- 2011 – Gabrielle Adams
- 2012 – Ashley Leal
- 2013 – Katarina Slavich
- 2014 – Alkira Reinfrank
- 2015 – Alison Hattley
- 2016 – Naomi Avery
- 2018 – Lewis Haskew
- 2019 – Laura Gale
- 2021 – Brooke Roff
Scholarship Runners-up
- 2009 – Andrew Day, Kevin Room and Rahima Saikal
- 2010 – Ewan Gilbert and Lucy Zelic
- 2011 – Grace Keyworth and Alana Shegog
- 2012 – Dion Pretorius and Olivia Neethyrajah
- 2013 – Charlene Broad
| Preceded by Peter Russell |
WIN News Canberra newsreader 1991–2007 |
Succeeded by Jessica Good |
