Beloved Australian presenter and newsreader Alison Drower has died.
The veteran media star, who was aged in her late ’50s, passed away on Sunday at a Canberra hospital following a long battle with cancer, surrounded by her family.
Drower was a trailblazing newsreader and industry mentor whose career spanned decades of Australian radio and television.
One of her most renowned roles was as a presenter for MTV Australia in the late ’80s, alongside Richard Wilkins.
In the role, she interviewed some of Australia’s most beloved musicians, including John Farnham and Jon Stevens.
She also worked at Triple M Sydney for years, alongside veteran radio star Doug Mulray and his breakfast team, earning a string of affectionate nicknames.
Drower later rose to become Regional News Director for TV and radio with Southern Cross Austereo.
After moving to Canberra, she used her media expertise to support her son Zach on his motorsport journey, taking on the role of Partnership Manager.
She also developed a keen passion for motorsports after marrying legendary Aussie rally driver Rick Bates, 60, and frequently appeared on the Channel Ten racing variety show RPM in the early 2000s.
In 2024, she reflected on her career in an interview with Greg Rust on his Rusty’s Garage podcast.
Drower said one of the things she treasured most about her role was the cheeky banter she shared with her colleagues.
Passionate about training the next generation, she spent the last three years freelancing with ARN, guiding new recruits through the challenges of radio news.
Her close friend and colleague Fiona Wyllie remembered her as ‘a mentor and a true friend’.
‘I was lucky enough to have years on radio. The very best part was finding my best friend of 40 years, Ali Drower,’ she began.
‘Ali taught me like so many others what a good story is. What’s the lead? How to edit, and how to live life fully. Sadly her time listening, watching, writing, shot-listing and critiquing has finished.’
‘She helped countless people get their start in news.’
‘Shocking news. A wonderful and gifted broadcaster,’ added Sunrise sports reporter Mark Beretta.
Drower’s career also included landmark moments in Australian media history.
In 1989, she covered MTV’s Turn Back the Tide concert at Bondi Beach, a pivotal environmental protest attended by 200,000 people, speaking with an all-star lineup of Australian talent.
She leaves behind a legacy as a brilliant journalist, guiding mentor, and cheeky friend whose influence on Australian media will long be remembered.
Drower is survived by her husband Rick Bates – a famous Australian rally driver – and their son Zach.
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