Australian radio broadcaster Gary O’Callaghan dies at age 83

Staff Writer

Legendary Australian radio broadcaster Gary O’Callaghan has died at the age of 83. The announcement of his passing was made on 2GB on Saturday morning.

O’Callaghan was a staple on Sydney’s 2UE from 1956 to 2003, pioneering the breakfast format and winning countless awards and radio surveys.

Well-known as his alter-ego Sammy Sparrow, O’Callaghan dominated breakfast radio in the 60s and 70s and at one stage managed to hold 46% of the overall session audience.

O’Callaghan was one of the first to report on the 1954 Petrov Affair and became widely recognised for his coverage of the incident.

2GB breakfast host Ray Hadley spoke fondly of O’Callaghan during his show on Saturday morning.

“I’ve never met a more delightful, charming, sweet, lovable and loyal man than Gary O’Callaghan,” Hadley said on-air.

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Malcolm T Elliott
22 Aug 2017 - 12:34 pm

We were never competitors he was always number one. In the 1980’s Ian McRae ex 2SM and myself ex 2UW all worked together in the 2UE building. I had the pleasure in 2004 of sitting in Gary and Dorothys lounge room at Sandcrox/Waughope and having a ton of laughs, I will miss you Gary You were always the winner, then you did have a 20 year start.
Malcolm T Elliott 2UW-2UE

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