ABC broadcaster Eoin Cameron dies after suspected heart attack

Updated

Tributes have been paid to former ABC Perth broadcaster and federal Liberal politician Eoin Cameron who has died after suffering a suspected heart attack in Western Australia's Great Southern.

Mr Cameron, 65, stepped away from the microphone earlier this year after a career spanning 47 years in the industry.

He passed away on Thursday night in Albany, where he was visiting family.

In a statement, Cameron's wife Wendy and his children said they were proud of everything he had achieved in life.

"He was a much loved and respected colleague to many at the ABC, in particular, the slim but savage one, Brad McCahon," it said.

"We will cherish so many memories of the wonderful times we had with him.

"He was loving, fun, full of life, had a wicked sense of humour but a shocking taste in music which he subjected us to daily.

"He was always there for the family and the family loved every minute we spent with him.

"Eoin lived a full life achieving so much in such a short time.

"He overcame many challenges - none of which stopped him from getting on and doing his very best at everything he committed to, whether it was a roustabout, working in a cheese factory, as a Member of Parliament, an author or entertaining his many followers on the radio.

"We know he loved his family as much as he loved his listeners and we were happy to share him with his loyal followers who woke up with him every morning.

"Love Wendy, Jane, Ryan, Jacinta and the grandchildren."

Cameron's brothers Gerard, Mal and Murray said that while they were shocked by the suddenness of his passing, hearing the news on radio helped ease the suffering.

"It's actual shared grief. The outpouring of emotion this morning from so many listeners, and the number of people that he seemed to embrace into his own family and seemed to be able to engage with is a credit to him," he said.

"You're buoyed that he's been loved and he's had a wonderful career, and he's going to be remembered by so many people in a fine way."

Colleagues, politicians join tributes

For the past 15 years Cameron had been the voice of 720 ABC Perth's Breakfast program.

Mr McCahan, his long-time producer, described Cameron as "a confidante, my closest friend in the world".

"It was a buzz every day to come to work. I spent 14 years getting up at 2.50am and not once virtually did I ever think that was a chore," McCahon told 720 ABC Perth.

He attributed Cameron's success atop the Perth radio ratings to his humour and quick wit, and the close rapport he built with his audience.

"It was a really beautiful thing the way he formed those relationships," he said.

"You could listen to five days a week but you never quite knew what was going to come out of the bag next, and people stayed glued to him because of that."

Cameron was also a politician, holding the federal seat of Stirling for the Liberal Party from 1993 to 1998.

Former prime minister John Howard said the veteran broadcaster was his own man in every respect.

"He was a strong Liberal and he was loyal to the party, but he was not a person who could be taken for granted, he always had an independent view," he said.

"He had a tremendous sense of humour and a great belly laugh and a booming voice, which was absolutely made for radio and a person who entertains people and infects people with his intelligence and his energy.

"And of course he adjusted that into radio and the media after he lost his seat in 1998, and quite a number of occasions after that I would be interviewed by him."

Federal Justice Minister Michael Keenan, who holds Cameron's former seat of Stirling, said his death was a tragic loss, not just to his family, friends and colleagues, but to the wider West Australian community.

"He was renowned for being good company and respected by all who knew him. I extend my condolences, and those of the Australian Government, to his [family]," he said.

'The world is a little greyer this morning'

Tributes are also flowing for the broadcaster on the 720 ABC Perth Facebook page.

"Eurovision will never be the same. Your wit and humour will never be replaced," one person said.

"He had a wonderful voice, a great sense of humour and always questionable taste in music," another added.

Another said: "Feel like I knew this man who came into my home, car and morning routine for years. The world is a little heavier, a little greyer this morning."

Mr Cameron's long and varied career began at a regional West Australian radio station in 1969, and he joined the ABC soon afterwards.

Cameron was once told by an ABC review committee that he did not have what it took to be a broadcaster and was advised to consider a management role.

But he left the ABC on a high note in March having consistently occupied the top spot in Perth breakfast ratings during his tenure.

Cameron was very open about the challenges he faced in life, often speaking about his bipolar disorder and the sexual abuse he suffered as a Catholic school boy.

Topics: death, radio-broadcasting, broadcasting, perth-6000

First posted