Australian sport and racing icon Graham McNeice has died at age 76 following a short illness.
Throughout his celebrated 60-year career, McNiece worked as a race commentator, presenter and documentary film producer.
He began his career at 17 in 1965, where he worked with legendary greyhound race caller Frank Kennedy at the regional NSW radio station 2KA.
Graham stayed with the station for over a decade and later moved to Channel Ten after being offered a role as a sports presenter.
In 1984 he covered the Los Angeles Olympics for the network.
In the early 2000s he became a documentary producer, and helmed several critically acclaimed productions.
He joined Foxtel in 2005 and created the investigative TV series CIA: Crime Investigation Australia, which provided a hard-hitting look at shocking true crimes across the nation.
Many of Graham’s celebrity friends were quick to pay tribute following the news on Thursday.
Australian sport and racing icon Graham McNeice has died at age 76 following a short illness. Pictured
‘It’s a very sad day, we have lost a beautiful soul,’ Australian entrepreneur John Singleton said.
‘No one has a bad word to say about Graham. That is so rare in the media industry.’
Meanwhile, Sky Racing caller Darren Flindell posted on social media that Graham’s passing was a huge loss to the industry.
‘He was the most selfless, caring man I have had the honour to call a close friend,’ Darren began.
‘Dealing with numerous health issues this year, Graham passed peacefully, feeling much loved by his family and vast array of friends, many of whom had their careers shaped and nurtured by this brilliant man.’
Equestrian expert Jo McKinnon also shared a tribute to Graham, writing: ‘He was extraordinary. He gave me a start in the racing media world in 1998 as Sky Channel’s first female anchor. My boss, mentor and a father figure.’
Graham helped many iconic Australian presenters get their start in showbusiness, including Sunrise co-host Matt ‘Shirvo’ Shirvington and Channel Nine newsreader Peter Overton.
Overton paid tribute to his late friend live on-air, and revealed that McNeice was the godfather of his daughter.
‘One of our finest documentary makers, a friend of mine for 40 years and godfather to my eldest daughter, Graham, we will miss you so much. Our thoughts and prayers going to his family and friends,’ Peter said.
Throughout his celebrated 60-year career, McNiece worked as a race commentator, presenter and documentary film producer
Many of Graham’s celebrity friends were quick to pay tribute following the news on Thursday. Pictured with Sunrise co-host Matt ‘Shirvo’ Shirvington
