720 ABC Perth dedicates our on-air studio to Wally Foreman
Last Update: Monday, April 30, 2007. 4:52pm AWST
When ABC radio sports broadcaster Wally Foreman died six months ago, the 720 team expressed their sadness as well as their love for Wally by taping a hastily made sign to the studio door saying 'Wally Foreman Studio'.
On Monday, April 30, 2007, that fading piece of paper was replaced by a permanent plaque. Wally's widow Lyn officially unveiled the plaque that will forever mark the 720 ABC Perth on-air studio as Wally's own.
At the ceremony ABC staff were joined by Wally's beloved family - his wife Lyn, his boys Glen and Mark, father Eric and sisters Jill and Sandra.
Fellow ABC sports broadcaster, Glenn Mitchell, spoke of the many talkback callers and guestbook writers who started off their tributes by saying 'I never met Wally however...'. Glenn said that if you ever listened to Wally on the radio, then you knew Wally. There were no airs and graces with Wally; he was the same behind the microphone as away from it.
'I've never met anyone more principled,' Glenn said. 'He stood up for people's rights. Like a terrier dog, he fought every battle to the best.'
Lyn said she feared that despite all the work Wally did for others, he would be forgotten in time. 'You can imagine how proud I felt when the ABC asked if they could name the studio after him. So from now on, when that new kid starts work at the ABC and asks "who was Wally Foreman?" someone will be able to say that he was one of those special people who, when they spoke, people listened.
Wally Foreman plaque
Wally Foreman 1948 - 2006
On 2 November, 2006, Australia lost one of its greatest sporting voices
when ABC broadcaster, Wally Foreman, died from a heart attack, at age 58.
He was a much-loved and admired ABC colleague.
Renowned for his knowledge, passion and wit,
Wally entertained and informed countless Australians
through a media career that spanned more than three decades.
He broadcast a wide range of events, from Olympic and
Commonwealth Games to Davis Cup, Australian Open tennis
and AFL football. The talkback programs he hosted
gave thousands a voice.
Like everyone who has ever worked with Wally,
or listened to him, we feel we knew him and
consider him to be part of our lives.
ABC Listener
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