Peter Leonard

Who was Peter Leonard?

Peter Antony Leonard was an Australian journalist and newsreader. He was born in Yass, New South Wales, the son of a Greek immigrant father who died when Peter was 17. He was educated at Yass Primary School then at Canberra Grammar School as a boarder. The family moved to Canberra in 1956.

Leonard had a number of jobs over his 45 year career history, commencing it at Canberra radio station 2CA in 1962, initially as a cadet copywriter and later as an announcer and newsreader. He moved to ABC Canberra in 1982 as a radio newsreader and later television newsreader and weather presenter. However, in his most recognisable role, Leonard presented WIN News in Canberra from 1991 until 20 July 2007.

From 1970 to 1988 he was also the media director for the National Capital Development Commission. From 1993 to 2003 he was head of national communications for the Pharmacy Guild.

He was an active participant in several charitable organisations. From 1989 to 1998 he was on the board of the ACT Cancer Council and also served on the board of the ACT Multiple Sclerosis Society. He became Honorary Ambassador for Canberra and the Canberra Citizen of the Year for 1991 in recognition of his community service and charity work.