Channel Nine veteran dies aged 85 following six-decade career
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Veteran Australian presenter Arthur Higgins, whose remarkable broadcasting career in TV and radio spanned six decades, has died aged 85 following a long illness.
The English-born personality was affectionately known as the 'Big Daddy' of Australian broadcasting, and worked as a presenter, announcer and sports caller across the country for decades, beginning in the 1960s.
His passing was confirmed by his daughter Gemma in a social media statement.
'With great sadness I share the passing of Dad, Arthur John Higgins 1940-2025. The sporting encyclopaedia with "a great voice for television", affectionately known as Artie,' she began.
'His career in television and radio spanned 57 years, and he was also known for his love of curry, sharing company and a bottle of red wine (or prosecco in later life). Very loved and missed.'
As a child, his family moved to Australia and it was here that he developed his lifelong passion for broadcasting.
Arthur Higgins, whose remarkable broadcasting career in TV and radio spanned six decades, has died aged 85
'As a child I listened to a pirate radio station that played commercials, not like the BBC which was totally boring. They played good music!' he once quipped.
Higgins began his media career as an office boy at Channel Nine's 4BH Radio in Brisbane, and quickly worked his way up through the ranks.
Within weeks he was training as an announcer, later cutting his teeth on country radio before returning to Brisbane and joining Nine's 4BC.
TV soon beckoned, with colleagues lauding him as 'a great voice for television'.
One of his earliest and most memorable assignments at Channel Nine Brisbane came in 1969 during the moon landing.
'I'll never forget it – I had to sit there and monitor it just in case anything went wrong. We lost the picture so I had to take over and talk about the exciting event, live,' he reflected.
Higgins was later lured to Canberra by Peter Harvey before relocating to GTV9 Melbourne, where he spent 14 years.
He eventually returned to Melbourne radio, where he remained until retirement.
The English-born personality was affectionately known as the 'Big Daddy' of Australian broadcasting, and worked as a presenter, announcer and sports caller across the country
During his time at Nine, he covered four Summer Olympic Games between 1984 and 1996, called the 1983 America's Cup, and commentated on six Sydney to Hobart yacht races.
He also called the legendary Björn Borg vs John McEnroe Wimbledon clash in 1980, complete with the unforgettable 20-minute tiebreak.
The beloved presenter later became the voice behind countless Melbourne Storm rugby league broadcasts.
Higgins often joked about his shift back to radio: 'I left television in 1987 because my face was starting to scare little children.'
He was on air again during one of the defining news moments of the modern era – the 9/11 attacks.
'I switched on everything and started to cover the news live as it unfolded. I watched CNN and placed the mike in front of the TV speakers to broadcast interviews,' he said.
Over the course of his career, he also anchored ABC News, worked in sport at 10 News and presented on 3UZ, 3DB and 3AK.
Reflecting on his extraordinary career, he offered one piece of advice to aspiring broadcasters: 'Go for it – it's a terrific life. I had 57 years of it and enjoyed every single second.
'I miss it terribly since I retired. I'd love to be back on air again. It's a wonderful occupation.'
Higgins is survived by his daughter Gemma.
