Australia’s first TV weatherman passes away at 94
Australian meteorologist and TV presenter Alan Wilkie has died at age 94, just two months after his fellow weather presenter brother Ray Wilkie.
Alan passed away peacefully on Monday night surrounded by his three children, Andrew, Katrina and Michelle, according to 9News.
The weatherman is being remembered as Australia's first TV weatherman after first appearing on the ABC in 1956.
He then joined Nine in the late 1970s and had delivered the weather for the channel for over 25 years.
His passion for the weather was obvious as it was estimated that he has read the weather 10,000 times throughout his career.
In an interview with The Australian Women’s Weekly in 1977, Alan reflected on his first ever TV appearance and he explained that he only applied for the job because his previous employer, the Bureau of Meteorology, insisted.
“It was in the very first week of television and I nearly died. I was so frightened. I don’t remember a single thing I said, but it must have been all right,” he said.
Alan grew up in the small town of Childers, Queensland and initially wanted to become a teacher but then went on to study science instead at the University of Queensland.
His brother, Ray, was also a meteorologist and well-known weather presenter for Network 10.
Ray passed away in May at age 98.
Images: Nine News