Terry Gallaway, the highly respected veteran journalist and television reporter, has passed away.
In recent years, Gallaway had revived his journalistic career by writing several pieces for The Western Weekender – his hometown paper.
Handwriting his own newspapers at 10-years-old before starting an apprenticeship at the Townsville Daily Bulletin at age 15, Gallaway’s interest in media started from a young age.
Gallaway had a varied career from local newspapers to radio, and television from Channel 7 to Sky News Australia where he worked for over 23 years as Chief Sub-Editor.
He was 85-years-old and had been battling illness in recent times.
In 2022, Gallaway was honoured with the Order of the Medal of Australia (OAM), highlighting his commitment to media.
He told the Weekender at the time that he has loved informing the community of local and broader news.
“I’ve been to Timor twice, been in Canberra covering elections, bushfires and my favourites which is Council, cops and courts,” Gallaway said.
“Every day is different, and you meet interesting people but some stories like the murder of four-year-old Lauren Hickson in Emu Plains in 1989 is something that sticks with you.”
Last year, on the 35th anniversary of Lauren Hickson’s murder, Gallaway re-visited the story with an extraordinary piece for the Weekender, interviewing Lauren’s mother Jurina as part of the story.
It would be one of the last stories filed in an extraordinary career that started in 1955.
His long-time friend and colleague Scott Richardson said Gallaway was “one of a kind”.
“They don’t make them like Terry anymore,” he said.
“He was old school. He was a real journalist.
“He not only reported the stories, he got involved as well. Many times he’s helped out victims of crime and done a lot of good for people.”
Gallaway had in recent times been detailing his life in journalism through a podcast.
For some time he had also been working on his memoirs.
“I can honestly say that not once in my life have I ever not wanted to go to work,” he told Sky News Australia in 2022.
“Working in the media, in newspapers, radio and television is just the most exciting thing any person could wish for.”
Terry leaves behind his beloved wife Coral, along with his children and grandchildren.
Funeral details are yet to be confirmed.
Troy Dodds
Troy Dodds is the Weekender's Managing Editor and Breaking News Reporter. He has more than 20 years experience as a journalist, working with some of Australia's leading media organisations. In 2023, he was named Editor of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards.