Queensland's first TV star dies aged 90
<p>Queensland's first television star, Hugh Cornish, has died at a retirement village in Hamilton, Brisbane aged 90. </p>
<p>A major figure in television, the iconic presenter made history as the first person to ever greet Channel 9 audiences in Queensland when television went live on August 16, 1959.</p>
<p>"I said something like, 'Hello Brisbane, welcome to television' and really, that was it," Cornish recalled in a 1990s interview. </p>
<p>His son Tim, confirmed the news of his passing on social media. </p>
<p>"Last night we lost one of the remaining burning stars. He was the greatest gentleman you could ever hope to meet," he shared.</p>
<p>Cornish began his media career as a radio presenter at 4IP in Ipswich in 1934. </p>
<p><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">Following his first TV appearance, Cornish eventually became the general manager of Channel 9 Queensland, and was the first person to run the same shows every night instead of once a week. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">In the 1960s he hosted the variety show </span><em>Brisbane Tonight </em>before he went on to present the talent show <em>Stairway to the Stars </em>in the 1970s.</p>
<p>He later served as an executive at Nine and the Seven Network.</p>
<p>The TV star was remembered by his loved ones today after news of his death. </p>
<p>"Every time I think of Hugh Cornish, I think, I know we had the best days in the television industry because they were pioneering days," former television director Garry Gibson said.</p>
<p>"I just remember him as a kind loveable person who would help anybody.</p>
<p>"This man was interested in television and he wanted to make entertainment and we all chased that."</p>
<p>Managing director of Nine Queensland Kylie Blucher said his contributions to the media landscape were second to none. </p>
<p>"His face and voice became a trusted presence in countless homes," Blucher said in a statement.</p>
<p>"For decades, he brought warmth, professionalism, and dedication to Channel Nine's screen."</p>
<p>Veteran newsman Brett DeBritz added that many in this industry "owed their careers" to Cornish. </p>
<p>"Everybody who grew up in the sixties and seventies knew his face. He was the guy who brought local current affairs to Channel Nine, and he was also an entertainer.</p>
<p>"A lot of people owe their careers to him."</p>
<p>"He probably made a bigger impact on getting talent known and up and running in Brisbane than anybody else I know, ever," producer-director and friend John Stainton said.</p>
<p><em>Images: Nine</em></p>
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