ABC Victoria presenter Jan Deane dies: ‘The end of an era’
A much-loved former radio breakfast presenter and ABC newsreader, he is remembered as one of the ‘greats’ of broadcasting.
Jan Deane, who was a breakfast show presenter at regional radio station 3SR in Victoria before moving to the ABC, where she worked for 20 years as a journalist and newsreader in Shepparton, Bendigo, Ballarat and Melbourne, has died at the age of 70.
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allen tweeted the news on Thursday, offering a huge compliment.
“You may not know her name, but many of us in regional Victoria would immediately recognise Jan Deane’s voice,” Ms Allan said.
‘Jan was an incredible journalist – a girl from Shepparton who I first met when she was reading the news for Bendigo’s own 3BO.
“My condolences go out to her family, friends and colleagues. Thank you Jan for being such a strong voice for rural communities.”
Former colleague and Victorian Country Hour presenter Warwick Long also paid tribute.
“My heart hurts today,” he wrote on Thursday.
Jan Deane, former radio breakfast presenter and 20-year ABC news bureau employee in Victoria, has died aged 70
‘We have lost someone who sat next to me for many years at ABC Shepparton.
‘A beautiful singing voice, a keen sense of humor and an eye for detail.
‘I presented a television programme in Shepparton, read the ABC state news bulletin and enjoyed amateur dramatics.’
When Ms Deane left the ABC in 2018, listeners expressed their appreciation en masse on social media.
“The end of an era,” someone wrote.
“ABC Goulburn Valley will never be the same,” said another.
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan led social media tributes for the beloved radio presenter
‘The dedication and experience that Jan possesses are not easily replaced. You have enriched the lives of countless people over the years.
Mrs Deane, who comes from a well-known Goulburn Valley family, entered radio after performing in amateur dramatics and presenting a daily morning show on local television station GMV 6.
While working in sales, 3SR’s then manager, Steve Woods, saw Ms Deane’s potential in radio because she had ‘so many connections in the city’, as well as her remarkable singing voice.
“We used to have a live band in the studio on Friday mornings and Jan would sing live on the radio,” Woods told Radio Today.
“She had an incredible Barbra Streisand voice.”
Mrs Deane is remembered for the passion she had for her hometown of Shepparton
Mrs Deane went to station 3BO in Bendigo to become a journalist and then to radio station ABC 774 in Melbourne, where she became a newsreader.
She eventually moved back to Shepparton, where she continued to work for the ABC and became a regular columnist for the paper, writing book reviews for the Shepparton News.
“What I will remember most about Jan is her passion for Shepparton and her deep love of words,” Christine Anderson, director of content and audience at McPherson Media Group, said on Thursday.
‘On behalf of Shepparton News I would like to extend our deepest condolences to Jan’s family and friends.’
Mrs. Deane remained true to her calling as a theatre and singing star, playing the lead role in local productions such as Maria in The Sound of Music and Mary in Jesus Christ Superstar.
The cause of death has not been released.
