URGENT UPDATE: Tributes are flooding in for renowned journalist and wine writer John Lewis, who passed away at the age of 92 after a brief illness. His death marks the end of an era for journalism in Newcastle, where he served for over seven decades.
Mr. Lewis, a former editor of the Newcastle Herald, leaves behind a legacy of integrity and mentorship that has profoundly impacted the journalism community. He was married to Ruth Lewis for 57 years and is survived by two sons, Guy and Tim, along with five grandchildren.
“He was a man of the utmost integrity and perspicacity; John was thoughtful, generous and profoundly kind,” said daughter-in-law Amanda Moore. “Though the loss is immense, John lives on through the strong values he has rooted within his family.”
Born in Newcastle in 1933, Mr. Lewis began his journalism career at the Armidale Express. He then moved to the Daily Advertiser in Wagga Wagga before returning to Newcastle to join the afternoon tabloid Sun, where he advanced to deputy editor. In 1979, he transitioned to the then-broadsheet Newcastle Herald, retiring as editor-in-chief in 1993.
In 1981, he received the prestigious Gold Walkley award, becoming the first regional journalist to achieve this honor for his reporting on the contentious battle for control of Newcastle TV station NBN.
Rod Quinn, an ACM editorial director and former editor of the Herald, praised Mr. Lewis as a master of his craft. “John was a leader who held his journalists to the highest standards,” Quinn stated. “He was firm, fair, and forgiving, particularly of reporters still finding their footing.”
Mr. Lewis was also well-known for his weekly wine and food column, ‘Trencherman’, which ran for an astonishing 47 years. This column, believed to be the longest of its kind in Australia, showcased his discerning palate and love for wine.
Even in his later years, he continued to share his insights on wine with readers, reviewing five wines a week. “Wine is agriculture, but it is also art, high art,” he remarked in a 2023 interview.
His contributions to the Hunter wine industry were recognized with the unveiling of the John Lewis Newcastle Herald Trophy for museum red at the 2023 Hunter Valley Wine Show.
“He was a brilliant conversationalist,” said Chris Tyrrell from Tyrrell’s Wines. “John always wanted to learn and listen. Every year we made sure he was on our table at the wine show because we loved spending time with him. He was a true gentleman.”
As the journalism community mourns his loss, Mr. Lewis’s influence will continue to resonate through the values and lessons he imparted to his family and fellow journalists. His legacy as a champion of truth, civic duty, and humanity will not be forgotten.
Stay tuned for further updates as tributes continue to pour in for this beloved figure in Australian journalism.
