Brian Bury

Brian Frederick Bury (born 14 June 1937) is a former Australian television and radio presenter, best known for his tenure as the weather presenter on the Nine Network's breakfast show Today from the program's inception in 1982 until 1990.[1]

Career

Beginning his career in radio, Bury desired to move into television. He approached television executive Bruce Gyngell in a carpark during a chance encounter in Sydney, in an attempt to gain employment. Bury was subsequently hired as a booth announcer at Channel 9. His first job was to introduce a religious program called I Challenge The Minister hosted by Sir Alan Walker.[2]

Bury is best known for being the original Today weather presenter. With his unique delivery of the weather forecasts and his colourful outfits, his quirky nature ensured he became one of the network's most popular stars. However, Bury claims Channel 9 management had difficulty accepting his style, preferring a more traditional and serious approach to delivering the weather reports. This was despite Bury regularly receiving positive feedback from viewers.[2]

Bury often filled in for Mike Walsh on the network's lunchtime variety program, The Mike Walsh Show. He lists Harry Secombe as his favourite guest, and lists Eartha Kitt as his least favourite guest due to an incident when Kitt punched him in the breastbone.[2]

After more than 30 years with the station, Channel 9 fired Bury. In a 2015 interview, Bury admits he was "hurt" by the decision.[2] After his time at Channel 9, Bury had stints at both Channel 7 and Ten before he relocated to South East Queensland where he returned to radio, hosting an afternoon show on Brisbane's 4BC, which he did up until his retirement in 2003.[3]

Personal life

Bury is married to his wife Margaret, who he originally met on a blind date.[4] They married in 1962 and have two adult children Ann and Matthew, and a number of grandchildren.[4]

In 2015, their granddaughter Natasha took her own life at the age of 15.[5][4] Bury said the tragedy brought their entire family closer and made them realise they needed to live life while enjoying every moment.[4]. Bury said in a 2015 interview that his son and his friends were forming a foundation to undertake research into why young people take their own lives.[5] Bury's son Matt subsequently established the SQUAD Foundation with the aim of preventing other families going through the pain of losing a family member to suicide.[6]

In 2009, Bury suffered a two-metre fall while presenting at the inaugural Gold Coast Area Theatre Awards at the Gold Coast Arts Centre where he fell from the stage into the audience. He was uninjured and joked that he would do anything for attention, before continuing his hosting duties.[7]

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References
  1. Weatherman Bury reigned supreme on Today show, The Daily Telegraph, 16 September 2012. Retrieved 27 November 2017.
  2. Bennett, Craig The Life of Brian, Studio 10, Network Ten, 1 December 2015. Retrieved from YouTube 27 November 2017.
  3. 4BC's Brian Bury announces retirement, radioinfo, 3 July 2003. Retrieved 27 November 2017.
  4. Bennett, Craig Brian Bury: Where is he now?, Woman's Day, 11 July 2016. Retrieved from PressReader 27 November 2017.
  5. Bennett, Craig The Bury Family Tragedy, Studio 10, Network Ten, 1 December 2015. Retrieved from YouTube 27 November 2017.
  6. Foundation Mission, SQUAD Foundation website. Accessed 27 November 2017.
  7. TV star collapses during theatre awards, Stage Whispers, 2009. Retrieved 27 November 2017.
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