David Johnston (newsreader)
David Johnston | |
|---|---|
| Born | December 4, 1941 Wales |
| Occupation | Television news anchor |
| Years active | 1958–2005 |
| Known for | News anchoring on Seven Network and ATV-10 |
David Johnston (born 4 December 1941) is a retired television news anchor originally from Wales who built his career in Australia. Familiar to audiences and colleagues as DJ, he delivered his final news broadcast on the Seven Network on 23 September 2005.
Following retirement, he and his wife Eve relocated to a rural property near Bendigo, where they enjoy country living close to their daughter, her spouse, and grandchildren.
Early life and education
At the age of 11, Johnston immigrated from Wales with his mother Lillian in 1953, settling in the western region of Victoria. He began secondary school at Terang High School before his mother moved them to Olinda to operate a children’s holiday home. After the business proved financially unsustainable, Johnston left formal schooling at 15 and undertook various jobs, including working in a nursery. Developing an interest in radio broadcasting, he established the Bill Roberts Radio School in Melbourne (also called "The Vincent School of Broadcasting") with his mother’s assistance, commuting from Olinda for training sessions.
The school distributed student recordings across Australia; one such audition tape featuring Johnston’s voice was sent to 2RG in Griffith, New South Wales, where he secured his initial professional radio position at 17. He remained at 2RG for three years and met Eve, who would become his wife. Together they had two daughters: Georgie (born 1971) and Romy (born 1973).
Radio and television career
In 1962, Johnston briefly worked at Brisbane’s 4KQ before returning to Melbourne as a general announcer and newsreader at 3DB. Approximately a year later, HSV7 sought a late-night newsreader; Dan Webb recommended Johnston for the role. His first significant broadcast was covering the death of US President John F. Kennedy. He juggled responsibilities between 3DB and the Seven Network until 1967, when he transitioned to become a full-time reporter and presenter for Seven. On 22 June 1972, Johnston co-hosted Melbourne’s inaugural televised Tattslotto draw alongside Lucy Kiraly. He maintained this position for five years before leaving television to manage a news agency in Elsternwick.
Johnston made a television comeback in 1980 as the prime-time anchor of Eyewitness News on ATV-10, initially partnering with Jana Wendt and later with Jo Pearson. Their effective partnership propelled Eyewitness News to dominate Melbourne’s evening ratings throughout the 1980s. He remained until 1996 before returning to the Seven Network as the weekday anchor for Seven Nightly News Melbourne. Initially solo anchoring until mid-1999, he then co-anchored with Anne Fulwood.
After shifting to relief anchor duties in 2000, Johnston resumed full-time anchoring in 2003 by leading a national news program titled "Target Iraq," which aired weekdays at 4:30 pm focusing on major international events and Australian updates from Sydney. When the Iraq coverage concluded, the program was rebranded as Seven's 4:30 News (later renamed Seven Afternoon News) with production moving to Melbourne; Johnston continued as presenter until his retirement in 2005.
Awards
Throughout his career, Johnston earned multiple honors including a prestigious Logie and two Penguin awards.