Respected journalist and media personality Alison Drower has died following a battle with cancer.
Drower, whose career in broadcasting spanned decades across both radio and television, passed away on Sunday September 28 at Canberra Hospital, surrounded by loved ones.
“Ali Drower was a giant of the Australian news industry,” said Australian Radio Network’s (ARN) head of news and information, Fiona Ellis-Jones, reported Media Week.
“She had a rare mix of curiosity, strategic insight and sharp intellect that made her one of the most remarkable minds in news.
“Ali could look at any challenge and instantly see the opportunities.
“Her legacy lives on in the hundreds of journalists she mentored and the leaders she inspired.
“More than anything else, Ali was a mum and a wife.”
Drower’s career highlights included reading the news alongside Doug Mulray at Triple M Sydney and serving as the face of MTV Australia, where she interviewed major stars with Richard Wilkins.
She went on to become a regional news director with Southern Cross Austereo and more recently worked with ARN, where she was known for supporting and developing young talent.
She was also a familiar face to motorsport fans, remembered for her work on Channel 10’s V8 Supercars coverage and her role on RPM.
Australian motor racing presenter Greg Rust paid tribute, describing her as “among the pioneers for women in motorsport in Australia”.
“As a lead and features reporter for RPM, she brought a balance that was needed beyond the hardcore love the rest of us had,” Rust said.
“Ali injected laughs and a sense of fun that helped unmask the competitors and see more of their wonderful personalities.
“She once blindsided Neil Crompton with a cheeky line about a map of Tassie as they covered the Targa Tasmania Rally.
“Crompo is such a pro I’ve only heard him laugh that loudly (on air) a couple of times in my career. She got him that day.
“Ali had a longstanding career in the media (a business that can be a brutal roller coaster ride) because of her talent and commitment.
“She should still be here with that infectious smile and a vibrancy that the rest of us were fortunate enough to drink in.
“Go well at Bathurst, Zach. She was so proud of you mate! God I hate cancer.”
Drower is survived by her husband, former Australian rally driver Rick Bates, and their son, Supercars racer Zach Bates.
Images: Instagram
