Veteran journalist and Walkley Award winner Peter Ryan has died at the age of 64, following a long battle with metastatic thyroid cancer.
Ryan passed away in Sydney on Friday night, his family confirmed. The esteemed journalist spent 45 years reporting for the ABC, earning a reputation for his fearless reporting, deep integrity and generous mentorship.
Diagnosed in 2014, Ryan continued to work through his illness, most recently serving as the ABC’s senior business correspondent before retiring in June this year to enter palliative care. He chose to spend his final months with his wife Marry Cotter and daughter Charlotte.
Beginning his career as a cadet and copyboy at the Sydney Daily Mirror, Ryan went on to become a pillar of the ABC newsroom. His roles included head of TV news and current affairs in Victoria, Washington bureau chief, and founding editor of Lateline Business, which evolved into The Business in 2012.
In 2017, Ryan won a Walkley Award for his investigative coverage of the Commonwealth Bank scandal, uncovering how millions of dollars flowed through the bank’s intelligent deposit machines to criminal syndicates. Five years later, he was awarded the Order of Australia Medal in recognition of his service to journalism.
Upon his retirement, Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers described Ryan as an “absolute legend”.
“If you only needed to listen to one voice to be sure that you got the essential elements of what was happening in the economy, it would be Peter’s,” Chalmers said.
Tributes have poured in from colleagues and admirers across the country.
Former ABC News Breakfast host Michael Rowland called Ryan “unrivalled” in his journalism, noting that he was both “courageous” in his work and a “generous mentor”.
“He had a big impact on so many ABC careers,” Rowland said. “We’ve all lost a good one.”
ABC News senior director Justin Stevens praised Ryan’s “significant legacy”, saying he touched the lives of many at the broadcaster through his mentorship and friendship.
“Through his journalism, he had a profound impact on the lives of Australians and our society,” Stevens said. “It was a privilege to know him and work alongside him.”
Even as his career drew to a close, Ryan remained focused on nurturing the next generation of reporters. In his final words of advice, he urged young journalists to stay passionate and curious, to be prepared and kind.
“Avoid cynicism – be passionate,” he said. “Show up early. Be kind and caring to people who need it.”
Peter Ryan’s voice, insight and warmth will be deeply missed.
Images: ABC
