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Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Travel and tourism hero, Bill Peach dead at 78

Bill Peach's Australia, a ground-breaking TV travel show,
 introduced Australians to their own backyard. (The Australian)

Bill Peach, the former presenter of trail-blazing ABC current affairs program This Day Tonight (TDT), has died.

It is with great sadness that Bill Peach – journalist& travel doyen - died today aged 78. After a short illness he passed away in the early morning surrounded by family.

Following his eight years as the presenter of the ABC's ground breaking current affairs programme "This Day Tonight", Bill began his "Peach's Australia" documentary series. He made 27 programmes in 2 years, filming in every part of Australia. Bill probably added another 5 times around the world while making his other programmes "Holidays with Bill Peach", "Peach's Australian Cities", "Peach's Gold" and "The Explorers". But in 1984 he exchanged the ABC's battered 4 wheel drive vehicles for a more salubrious mode of transport - the F27 Fokker Friendship plane.

For thirty years Bill hosted travellers on trips in Australia and around the world. He was also a great writer publishing ten books on Australian history, as well as many magazine stories and newspaper columns. He received many awards including a special Logie for Outstanding Personal Contribution to Australian Television and was awarded the Order of Australia (AM) for his services to the Australian media and tourism.

Bill was an amazing man, whose passion for travelling in Australia never swayed, whose zest for life was incredible. He will be greatly missed by all those who have worked and travelled with him.

Bill’s family and the team at Bill Peach Journeys would like to thank everyone for their thoughts and kindness.

Read related story at abc.net.au

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