On the eve of his 45th wedding anniversary, veteran broadcaster Roger Climpson OAM has passed away, aged 92.
Born on 18 October 1932 in Peterborough, England, Climpson was just a month shy of celebrating his 93rd birthday. The son of a butcher, he once dreamed of becoming a Royal Air Force pilot, but a rugby accident changed the course of his life. Turning instead to performance and broadcasting, he emigrated to Australia and became one of the most recognisable faces on television screens, particularly in Sydney.
Climpson began his television career in 1956 at the Nine Network, working as an announcer, weatherman and newsreader, and hosting programs including Rendezvous with Roger and The House and Garden Show. After leaving Nine in 1965, he joined the Seven Network, where he would go on to anchor Seven News in Sydney, host This Is Your Life and later present Australia’s Most Wanted.
In 1989 he returned to the Seven News desk alongside Ann Sanders, before stepping back in 1994 following a prostate cancer diagnosis. Beyond television, he made his mark in radio at Sydney’s 2GB and as Chairman of the Christian Broadcasting Association, now known as Hope Media. In recognition of his service to media, he was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in 2004.
Tributes have flowed for Climpson, remembered not only for his commanding presence but also for his warmth and generosity.
Ann Sanders, his long-time colleague at Seven, said: “Roger was a highly respected newsreader with great presence and reach to the television audience who adored him. He was an absolute gentleman on and off camera – warm, quick witted and kind, and it was a privilege to work alongside him.”
7NEWS Sydney co-anchor Mark Ferguson reflected on Climpson’s lasting influence: “Like so many families we watched Roger most nights for many years. Behind the desk he was all class – informed and engaging, with a voice that made you sit up and listen. Our condolences to his family, friends and the many viewers, who I’m sure thought of Roger as a trusted friend.”
7NEWS Sydney News Director Geoff Dunn added: “Roger Climpson was the trusted face of 7NEWS, defining a golden era of broadcast television and playing a central role in how we stayed informed. He stood out as one of Australia’s most authoritative news presenters. For our viewers, he also felt like a friend with a beaming smile and his trademark wink as he said good night.”
Hope Media CEO Phillip Randall described Climpson’s faith and vision as integral to the broadcaster’s history. “He left a legacy of love, faith and vision at Hope Media… He holds a special place in our hearts and history.”
For millions of Australians, Roger Climpson was more than just a newsreader – he was a reassuring presence, a trusted voice, and a symbol of an era in broadcasting that shaped the way the nation watched and listened.
Images: Supplied
