Kevin Wallace Whalan

7^th June 1929 - 25^th June 2022

Obituary by his son, Andrew Whalan

As he said, “I wouldn’t have missed it for quids!”

On 25 June, 2022, at age 93, my Dad Kevin Whalan, journalist to the last, filed his final yarn.

Born 7 June 1929, in Canowindra, he was the youngest of eight children and spent his first forty years there. He taught himself to drive, invented a poker-

machine counter, and learnt to fly Tiger Moths.

Until journalism became his calling. In 1951, after working an assortment of jobs, he was cleaning floors at the Cowra Guardian.

There, serendipitously, he was asked to write a movie review. As he recounted, “I just wrote it.” Afterwards, he worked for the Guardian and Canowindra Star.

In 1961, he married, had his first two children, and was offered the role of editor of the Kiama Independent. Instead, he leased the failing Canowindra Star.

As editor, journalist, photographer, advertising manager, publisher, and sport reporter he revitalised an ailing paper, almost doubling its circulation!

Dad joined the ALP (1958) and ran for the seat of Orange, against his friend Charles Cutler. He lost the seat but kept the friendship. As Dad wrote, “He (Cutler)… praised my unbiased (campaign) coverage.”

After moving to Kiama, he supported local, state, and federal candidates.

He joined Apex, Rotary (receiving a Paul Harris fellowship) and was a charter member of Canowindra Lions club.

His service club involvement continued in Kiama including forming the Kiama Downs Men’s Probus Club. 

When the Canowindra Star folded in 1969, he finally became editor of the Kiama Independent. Again, he melded with the local community including the church (Ss Peter and Paul) and school, service clubs and the ALP.

As a court reporter, he avoided a murder charge, being pointed out as the accused by an unreliable witness.

After the Independent, he worked for the Illawarra Mercury until he was asked to reveal a source. Upon his refusal, he was sacked. His colleagues went on strike, and he was reinstated.

Later as Wollongong Bureau Chief for News Ltd, he mentored many up-and-coming journalists. Until Rupert Murdoch offered him a generous redundancy package.  

Even in retirement, he contributed to his church, community and charity and travelled the world.

He visited Brazil, Great Britain, Japan and the United States making and keeping friends including Ronnie Biggs, the Great Train Robber.

Dad lived a full life, one of stories, people, service: none of which he would have missed for quids.