Australian Broadcasting Community Mourns Beloved Presenter
The Australian broadcasting industry is grieving the sudden loss of veteran radio presenter Leighton Archer, who died at the age of 50 on October 31 following a stroke. His passing was confirmed by radio industry publication Jocks' Journal via social media on Thursday.
A Celebrated Career Spanning Decades
Archer's distinguished radio career spanned more than three decades, beginning in April 1993 when he became one of the first volunteer announcers at Port Stephens FM in Nelson Bay, north of Newcastle. He later hosted Breakfast on 2CA in Canberra and served as the station's program director.
His extensive career included work with the Australian Traffic Network and multiple regional stations, including:
- 2MO
- Triple G in Gunnedah
- 2NUR FM
- 2GO/2GGG
- 2HD
Remembering the Man Beyond the Microphone
Beyond his professional achievements, Archer was known for embracing life with passion. In a 2007 interview with Double J, he shared: 'I love live concerts, cooking, and playing golf... badly.'
The funeral service for Leighton Archer was held on Friday, 14th November at the Northern Suburbs Crematorium, North Chapel, attended by many of Australia's most recognisable radio stars, including veteran Sydney presenter Trevor Sinclair.
Heartbroken colleagues and listeners flooded social media with tributes. One wrote: 'I worked with Leighton in Gunnedah. Good broadcaster and terrific fella. Feeling very sad reading this.' Another added: 'My head has been spinning since reading this. Leighton was one of those genuinely nice guys and a pleasure to work with.'
A Difficult Period for Australian Radio
Archer's passing comes just days after the deaths of two other Australian radio icons, John Laws and Leon Byner. Laws, one of Australia's most powerful talkback hosts, died aged 90 on Sunday, while Byner passed away aged 77 on Tuesday following a battle with acute leukaemia.
The broadcasting community now reflects on Archer's substantial contributions to Australian radio, which will be fondly remembered by all who knew him during his three decades on air.
