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Australian racing driver Zach Bates has paid tribute to his mother, and legendary TV news presenter, Alison Drower, who has sadly passed away following a long battle with cancer.
Drower, who was an industry leader and a huge mentor to many budding broadcasters, died on Sunday, surrounded by her loved ones at a Canberra Hospital.
Tributes have been pouring in for the legendary presenter, who notably became the face of MTV Australia in the 1980s, while working alongside Richard Wilkins.
Here she interviewed some of the stars of the Australian music industry, and would also go on to work for Triple M Sydney for many years, presenting programmes alongside star Doug Mulray and his breakfast team.
Her son Zach, who drives for the Triple Eight Race Engineering team in the Supercars Championship, stated that the ‘world would not be the same without’ his mother, adding that she brought ‘joy to so many people’.
‘Mum, our best friend, the most incredible, beautiful mum and wife we could ever ask for,’ the 21-year-old racing driver said in a statement on Instagram.
Racing driver Zach Bates has payed tribute to his mother Alison Drower, after the beloved Australian news presenter sadly passed away over the weekend (Pictured: Zach and Alison)
Zach, pictured as a baby with his mum, Alison, and father, Rick, said that the 'world would not be the same without' his mother, who brought joy to everyone
‘I am the proudest son,’ he added. ‘The world will not be the same without you, the amazing energy and joy that you brought to so many people cannot be replaced.
‘I was so so lucky to have the most incredible 21 years with you. You brought “fabulous” everywhere. You showed me how to treat and love others, but most importantly how to make the most of every single day.
‘Your fight and determination is truly inspiring, and you will be with us every single day. It is only a goodbye for now. Zach and Rick.’
Zach accompanied the message with a picture of himself as a baby with his mother and father, Rick, who is also a former rally driver.
In 2004, Drower would become the Regional News Director for TV and radio with Southern Cross Austereo, before taking a role as a Motorsport Partnership Manager, assisting her son Zach with his budding career in racing.
Tributes have been pouring in from many within the media community, with Australian Radio Network’s (ARN) head of news and information, Fiona Ellis-Jones, writing in Mediaweek: ‘Ali Drower was a giant of the Australian news industry.
‘She had a rare mix of curiosity, strategic insight and sharp intellect that made her one of the most remarkable minds in news.
‘Ali could look at any challenge and instantly see the opportunities.
Drower, who was an industry leader and a huge mentor to many budding broadcasters, died on Sunday, surrounded by her loved ones at a Canberra Hospital
Drower was a trailblazing newsreader and mentor whose career spanned decades of Australian radio and television. One of her most renowned roles was as a presenter for MTV Australia in the late '80s
‘Her legacy lives on in the hundreds of journalists she mentored and the leaders she inspired.
‘More than anything else, Ali was a mum and a wife.’
Wilkins, who worked alongside Drower at MTV, stated he was shattered to learn of his former co-star’s passing.
‘I am absolutely devastated to learn of the passing of the wonderful Alison Drower.
‘Ali and I and our small, fabulous, passionate team had the honour and unbridled joy of creating the first international affiliate of MTV in the late 80s,” Wilkins wrote in an Instagram post today.
‘Although I hadn’t seen Ali for years … we always traded birthday greetings and unsolicited compliments… which make me cry as I read them today.’
Drower was also highly respected and lauded for her commitment to helping train the next generation of journalists. She had spent three years working with the ARN, assisting budding newsreaders hone their craft.
ABC Radio star Fiona Wylie paid tribute to her ‘close friend and mentor’.
‘I was lucky enough to have years on radio. The very best part was finding my best friend of 40 years, Ali Drower,’ Wyllie said.
'Ali taught me like so many others what a good story is. What's the lead? How to edit, and how to live life fully. Sadly her time listening, watching, writing, shot-listing and critiquing has finished.'
'She helped countless people get their start in news.'
