PETER Russell, who was a news reader at RVN's Channel 2 in Wagga, now known as Prime7, suffered a fatal heart attack last Thursday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Mr Russell was trekking up Tasmania's Cradle Mountain with his wife when he suffered the heart attack.
He was 68 years-old.
Born in Melbourne, Mr Russell read the news in Maryborough, Ballarat, Wagga during the late 1970s and Canberra.
He also held senior roles at the Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association and the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Association.
Former manager at RVN, Richard Gray, worked with Mr Russell for many years.
Mr Gray said he was very saddened to hear to Mr Russell's death.
"He was a highly regarded news reader who was extremely popular," he said.
"He definitely did make an impact on journalism in Australia."
His son, Matthew said his father had died 11 years after his first heart attack.
"He was a brilliant man, unbelievably generous," he said.
"He was very good at bringing the family together and will be very much missed."
Mr Russell spent the later part of his life in Wollongong's seaside suburb, Thirroul.
Funeral details have yet to have been announced.
