From Seven:
Vale Frank Warrick OAM
The entire team at 7NEWS is deeply saddened by the death of legendary Queensland newsreader, dear colleague and friend, Frank Warrick OAM.
Warrick passed peacefully at 4.50am this morning surrounded by family, aged 76, following a five-year battle with dementia.
An icon of our screens in a career spanning four decades, Warrick joined the 7NEWS team in June 1976 as a part-time weekend newsreader. In February the following year, he was promoted to full-time weekend news presenter and reporter.
A move to weekdays would soon follow, where he would eventually co-present the evening news alongside Kay McGrath, until his retirement in 2001.
Kay McGrath said: "My sincere condolences to Frank’s wife Lyn and family. We had a very successful 13-year on air relationship during the 80’s and 90’s when 6pm news was a ritual for viewers.
“Live TV can be a challenging environment at times, but we always had each other’s backs. Frank was the consummate professional, I never saw him fazed or flustered on air. He taught me a lot and I’m very saddened to hear he’s left ‘this world around us’."
Director, 7NEWS Brisbane, Neil Warren said: “Frank changed the way TV news was delivered in Queensland, going live on air for hours on end with breaking news and putting himself at the centre of big stories. He was the ultimate newsman and what he pioneered back then, continues with our team today.”
Network Director of News and Public Affairs, Craig McPherson said: “On behalf of the entire team at 7NEWS, we extend our deepest sympathies to Frank’s wife Lyn and the Warrick family. Frank was one of the greats. He forged an on-air partnership with Kay that became appointment viewing, setting up a golden period for the 6pm news and the Seven Network in Queensland. A wonderful presenter and tremendous mentor to so many.”
7NEWS Brisbane will present a special tribute to Warrick in tonight’s bulletin, live at 6.00.
