Howard Sattler

Howard Sattler (23 February 1945 – 11 June 2021)[1] was an Australian talk back radio host.

Sattler began his career as a cadet journalist for the Sydney Morning Herald before performing national service during the Vietnam War, during which he completed officer training and moved to Perth in a public relations position with the Australian Department of Defence.[2][3] From there he moved into broadcast radio,[4][5] although he also was a newspaper editor and columnist.[3]

He was considered to have introduced the shock-jock style of radio to Perth.[6] Although well known in his state of Western Australia after a 30 year long career on radio,[7] he gained national notoriety in 2013 when he was fired from radio station 6PR over a controversial interview with former Prime Minister Julia Gillard, in which he asked her whether her partner Tim Mathieson was gay.[8][3]

In 2018, Sattler was inducted into the Australian Media Hall of Fame.[9]

In his later years he developed multiple health conditions, including throat cancer,[3] and was diagnosed with PSB Steele Richardson syndrome (from which he eventually died[10]), which so affected his speech that listeners would often call in thinking he was drunk.[10] He became a vocal advocate for voluntary euthanasia laws.[11][3]

References

  1. ^ Death notice, The West Australian, 14 Jun 2021
  2. ^ "Former talkback radio host Howard Sattler & WAMN News contributor dies age 76". WAMN News. 12 June 2021. Retrieved 25 June 2021.
  3. ^ a b c d e "Former radio host Howard Sattler dies in Perth". www.abc.net.au. 11 June 2021. Retrieved 24 June 2021.
  4. ^ "Controversial radio host Howard Sattler dies, aged 76". www.9news.com.au. Retrieved 24 June 2021.
  5. ^ "Tributes flow for Perth radio legend Howard Sattler". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 24 June 2021.
  6. ^ "Howard Sattler". Melbourne Press Club – Hall Of Fame. Retrieved 24 June 2021.
  7. ^ "He did it his way: Howard Sattler farewelled". The West Australian. 22 June 2021. Retrieved 24 June 2021.
  8. ^ Orr, Aleisha (14 June 2013). "Howard Sattler sacked by 6PR". WAtoday. Retrieved 24 June 2021.
  9. ^ "Perth talkback radio legend Howard Sattler dies aged 76". 91.7 The Wave. Retrieved 25 June 2021.
  10. ^ a b "Howard Sattler opens up about terminal illness". 6PR. 18 January 2021. Retrieved 24 June 2021.
  11. ^ Offner, Steve (21 January 2021). "Howard Sattler: "I want to bow out gently, with dignity"". Go Gentle Australia - building the biggest record of support. Retrieved 24 June 2021.