Legendary ABC Radio Sydney broadcaster and musician James Valentine has passed away aged 64, following a battle with oesophageal cancer.
His family confirmed he passed away using voluntary assisted dying at home, two years after his diagnosis.
“James passed peacefully at home surrounded by his family, who adored him,” Valentine’s family said in a statement.
“Throughout his illness, James did it his way, which lasted all the way until the end when he made the choice to do voluntary assisted dying.
“Both he and his family are grateful he was given the option to go out on his own terms. He was calm, dignified as always and somehow still making us laugh.”
Valentine hosted radio and television shows across the ABC for 30 years, becoming one of the most recognisable voices in Australian broadcasting. He most notably presented the 702 ABC Sydney Afternoons radio show for over two decades.
Valentine is survived by his wife, Joanne, and his children, Ruby and Roy.
His children have remembered him as a “great dad”.
“I think that is something that we wanted to say – everyone knows he was such a kind man and so generous and compassionate, but he was just such a great dad as well,” Ruby told 702 ABC Sydney.
“That kindness and compassion came through for us as well.”
Roy added: “The thing that sticks out for me is this period has been one of kind of pure joy with him and love.”
The radio icon was given a major honour the week prior to his death.
On Thursday morning, Governor-General Sam Mostyn revealed that Valentine was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in a private ceremony, surrounded by his loved ones.
“I was sent a recommendation by the Council of the Australian Honours to approve James’s appointment as a Member of the Australian honour system, an AM,” Mostyn told 702 ABC Sydney.
“We were able to work very quick – I knew how sick James was – and working with his family we got the medal struck (and) engraved with his name.
“I was able to present that to (his children) Ruby and Roy at Admiralty House (on) Saturday so it could be presented to James with his family.”
The Order of Australia is one of the country’s highest civilian honours, with recipients nominated by the public and recognised for their significant service to a particular field or community.
“As a pioneering broadcaster, gifted musician, and passionate advocate for the arts, his lifetime of achievement has enriched the public conversation and championed Australian creativity,” the Order of Australia citation read, according to the ABC.
“On radio, screen, and stage, James has reminded us that conversation and community matters, and kindness belongs at the heart of public life.”
Tributes have since poured in for the veteran host, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese remembering him as one of the country’s “national treasures”.
“Australia first got to know James through the sound of his saxophone, most notably in his years with The Models. But it was as a mainstay on the ABC that we really got to know his voice,” he wrote in a statement on social media.
“As a presenter and as an author, James was an incisive, witty and often mischievous presence. When he was on, you always felt like you were in the very best of company.
“Our thoughts now are with his loved ones. May James Valentine rest in peace.”
NSW Premier Chris Minns told the ABC: “He had a kind of quirky, unique way of talking with people in Sydney and he was both an interested and interesting person, which is unique.”
“He will be hugely missed.”
Image: ABC
