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'The thinking man's broadcaster' dies at 48
ADELAIDE: The radio and television industry
is mourning the death of veteran broadcaster Vin
cent Smith, who died peacefully in Adelaide early
yesterday.
Mr Smith, who worked in radio in Sydney and
Adelaide and who presented a morning current-af
fairs program on national television in the 1980s,
died after a year-long battle with cancer, according
to a family friend. He was 48.
In a distinguished journalistic career, Mr Smith
worked in newspapers with the West Australian,
Rupert Murdoch's Australian, and the now de
funct National Times.
In the early 1970s he turned to radio and an
afternoon current-affairs show on 2UE, where he
worked with his close friend Mike Carlton.
He became news director of 2UE before turning
to television as news director of ATN Seven in
Sydney in 1981. While at ATN, Mr Smith spent
several years as presenter of the Eleven AM morn
ing current-affairs and news program.
He returned to radio in 1986 as producer for
John Laws at 2GB before moving to Adelaide as
host of talk-back programs on 5DN and 5AA.
Mr Smith continued as host of his morning
talk-back program on 5AA and wrote a weekly
newspaper column until early this month, his last
broadcast on April 8.
In the last year he often spoke publicly about his
battle with cancer on his radio show and in his
newspaper articles, and was featured recently on
the 60 Minutes program discussing the disease.
In 1980, Mr Smith was awarded an MBE for
services to journalism and conservation.
He is survived by his wife Susan and four child
ren.
The Premier of South Australia, John Bannon,
paid a tribute to Mr Smith yesterday, whom he
described as a "thinking man's broadcaster".
"He dealt with serious events and put all points
of view," Mr Bannon said. "He knew which issues
touched people. He could boil complex arguments 1
down so ordinary people could understand them,
both on the air and in print.
"This was a remarkable quality and he will be
sorely missed."
A private memorial service will be held in Ade
laide this week.
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