Tributes are pouring in for a popular television and radio veteran who has been remembered as one of the ABC’s “preeminent journalists”.
Tim Bowden, who has died in his sleep aged 87, is a familiar face to many Australians after a decades-long career on the national broadcaster.
After joining the Drama and Radio Features Department at ABC in 1975, the successful journalist began making documentaries.
Tim went on to set up Radio National’s Social History Unit and was the presenter of Talking History and That’s History in the mid-1980s.
But Bowden became best known for the television show Backchat, which ran from 1986 to 1994.
He hosted the show and it consisted of him answering letters from ABC viewers.
ABC managing director David Anderson led the outpouring of tributes.
“(Tim was) a storyteller whose curiosity about the world around him was appreciated by so many of our audience,” he said.
Tim Bowden, who has died aged 87, worked at the ABC for several decades as a correspondent, radio presenter, producer and television presenter. He has also written an impressive 15 books
The father of two and grandfather of three (pictured) was familiar to many Australians after starting at the ABC in 1963
“Tim was part of the generation of ABC journalists who brought those events and their significance into Australian homes every night.”
Bowden’s death sparked an outpouring of grief from fans and former teammates across the country.
Mike Carlton wrote on X that he was “deeply saddened” to hear the news about his “old partner” and “colleague”.
“Wise and witty, enormously good company, a great journalist of the old school,” he wrote.
ABC radio host Sabra Lane wrote: “Vale Tim Bowden – ABC journalist, foreign correspondent, backchat host. Also a Tasmanian treasure’.
Author Daniel Best said: “Incredibly sad to hear. His book on Neil Davis, One Crowded Hour, is a masterpiece.”
– I still see him from time to time. Mr. Bowden was a rare writer, one who put the story first, and rightly so. May he rest in peace and I’m sure he’s laughing with Neil, he said.
One fan posted: “Absolutely gutted by the news of Tim Bowden’s passing. I’m a huge fan and any episode of Backchat found is a good day for me.’
The animated opening of the popular ABC show Backchat, where Tim Bowden was the host
Born in Hobart, the broadcaster completed an arts degree before working with the BBC’s general overseas service in London from 1960-1962.
Bowden worked at the BBC with the Pacific Service as both a radio interviewer and producer.
He first joined the ABC in Tasmania on his return home from Europe in 1963, working in both radio and television.
Bowden went on to become a correspondent in both Asia and North America in the mid-to-late 1960s, covering events impacting the region.
The journalist then returned to production and became the first executive producer of PM, an ABC radio current affairs program in 1969.
Bowden also made “amazing” documentaries about Australian research taking place in Antarctica – and the footage is still broadcast today.
But his talents didn’t stop there – the grandfather wrote an astonishing 15 books, including ‘One Crowded Hour – Neil Davis, Combat Cameraman, 1934-85’ in 1987 and ‘The Changi Camera’ in 2012.
The journalist (pictured) has been described as “generous with his colleagues” and one of the ABC’s “first-rate journalists”.
Mr Anderson said the journalist had been “part of the fabric of the ABC for decades” and had not only made a “huge contribution” to the ABC but to the nation.
“He was generous to his colleagues and was known for both his sense of humor and his passion for journalism and the ABC,” he said.
“Condolences to Tim’s family and many friends and colleagues.”
Bowden was awarded the Order of Australia in 1994 for services to public broadcasting.
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