William Russell Tyson (20 April 1920 - 11 September 2014) was an Australian radio announcer and television presenter.
Career Radio Tyson was arguably best known for his radio work, particularly with ABC Radio Brisbane where he commenced as a cadet announcer in 1939.(11 September 1952) "Russ Tyson started early", Yass Tribune-Courier. Retrieved 23 October 2018. He subsequently became known for presenting a national breakfast program and the popular Hospital Half-Hour program.Webb, Elizabeth (26 July 1954) Russ Tyson still a tonic, Brisbane Telegraph. Retrieved 23 October 2018.
Tyson was the second of three announcers who presented The Hospital Half-Hour, taking over from the show's original host, Mike Connors, after Connors died in 1949.(3 May 1975) "The Hospital Hour to end", The Canberra Times. Retrieved 23 October 2018. Tyson had previously filled in for Connors during his ill health.Burns, Nelson (16 January 1949) "Carrying On For Mike", The Sunday Mail. Retrieved 23 October 2018.
Following disagreements regarding the direction of the breakfast program, Tyson resigned from the ABC in 1966.(2 June 1966) "Russ Tyson resigns", The Canberra Times. Retrieved 23 October 2018.
Tyson was replaced on The Hospital Half-Hour by Garry Ord, who hosted the program until it was axed in 1975.
After leaving the ABC, Tyson worked for commercial station 4KQ until his retirement in 1976.(12 September 2014) Vale ABC's Russ Tyson, radioinfo. Retrieved 23 October 2018.
Television Tyson was the first person to appear on ABC Television in Queensland, when Brisbane station ABQ commenced transmission on 2 November 1959. Among the television programs he hosted were Anything Goes and On Camera.(12 September 2014) Obituary: Russ Tyson , Australian Television History. Retrieved 23 October 2018.Sinnamon, Myles (15 July 2017) Television Comes to South East Queensland , SL Blogs, State Library of Queensland. Retrieved 23 October 2018.
Books Throughout his career, Tyson also released a number books. These include: What is a -? : a collection of listeners' contributions read by Russ Tyson in the Hospital Half-Hour of the ABC (1960)Edition Details: What is a -?, National Library of Australia. Accessed 23 October 2018. Philosopher's Note Book (1961)Edition details: Russ Tyson's philosopher's notebook, National Library of Australia. Accessed 23 October 2018. Philosopher's Scrap Book (1963)Edition details: Russ Tyson's philosopher's scrapbook, National Library of Australia. Accessed 23 October 2018. Russ Tyson's Australian Christmas Book (1965)Edition details: Russ Tyson's Australian Christmas book, National Library of Australia. Accessed 23 October 2018. Russ Tyson's Philosophy Corner(1968)Edition Details: Russ Tyson's philosophy corner, National Library of Australia. Accessed 23 October 2018. Russ Tyson's New Philosophy (1970)Edition Details: Russ Tyson's new philosophy, National Library of Australia. Accessed 23 October 2018. The Best of Russ Tyson (1973)Edition Details: The best of Russ Tyson, National Library of Australia. Accessed 23 October 2018.
Later years and death Tyson attended the ABC's 75th birthday celebrations in 2007.(9 July 2007) "Brisbane ABC's 75th birthday party", ABC Radio Brisbane, Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 23 October 2018. In 2012, he was a guest at the official opening of the ABC's new Brisbane studio complex at South Bank.Skjonnemand, Ursula (27 January 2012) 612's first South Bank broadcast , ABC Radio Brisbane. Retrieved 23 October 2018.
Tyson died at the age of 94 on 11 September 2014."Vale: ABC's Russ Tyson", Radio Today, 12 September 2014. Retrieved 23 October 2018.
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