Brian had been at the helm of the Gazette from 1972 until his retirement in 1996. However, his involvement with the paper didn’t end there, as he continued to report and cover local news, particularly council meetings, up last November. Brian started his editorial career as a 15-year-old cadet journalist at the Wellington Times.

His next step in 1951 was a promotion to the Barrier Miner at Broken Hill. It was here that Brian met June, who was to be his wife of more than 62 years until her passing in 2014.

Continuing his country newspaper progression, Brian moved to the Daily Advertiser at Wagga Wagga. It was here that their family life started with the birth of two sons, Mark and Wayne and a daughter, Karen.

In 1958 Brian was offered the post of assistant managing editor back at the Wellington Times. Only four years later, the family was on the move again when Brian took over the ailing Mudgee Guardian as managing editor. There followed a productive seven years restoring the business to profit, and the arrival of another daughter, Kylie.

A brief period with Macquarie Publications at Dubbo came to an end in June, 1972, when Brian secured the lease of The Gazette from the Temora firm of Bradley and Woods.

A 45-year love affair for Crookwell and its people had started. Brian is survived by his four children, six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Brian’s funeral service will be held Monday, August 14 at 11am at St Bartholomew’s Anglican Church, Crookwell.