Influential Former Triple J Program Director Stuart Matchett Passes Away

Revered Australian radio industry figure Stuart Matchett is confirmed to have passed away this week following a long battle with cancer, age 67.

As Radioinfo reports, the former triple j presenter and Program Director passed away earlier in the week, as confirmed in a memo by ABC Head of Music & Creative Development, Chris Scaddan.

"Stuart was a huge music fan whose knowledge and passion spread over so many genres," Scaddan said.

"He gave so many of us our first start at the ABC and will be remembered as a warm, funny and genuine person. Someone with a huge heart and a huge love of music."

Matchett kickstarted his career at Brisbane community radio station 4ZZZ in 1975 before moving on to triple j as a presenter from 1978 to 1986, eventually working his way up to Program Director, a position he held until 2002.

The broadcasting icon had been acting as Program Director at the ABC’s DIG Internet Radio since 2002, introducing the station into digital radio with ABC DIG, Jazz and Country.

Former triple j Breakfast presenter Mikey Robbins spoke to Zan Rowe this morning about Matchett's legacy.

"He was very hands on. Very much involved with every part of the station, not just hiring presenters, he was the most involved with the music of any Program Director I’ve ever met in my life," Robbins said.

"In terms of the line up – that line up in the 90s that I was a part of – apart from one or two people, Stuart was the main person who brought those people into the station."

In a tribute to Matchett, Double J will be playing a selection of his past interviews over the coming week.

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