Peter Hitchener was born on February 21, 1946 (Age: 80 years old), in Texas, Queensland, Australia is a renowned Australian television news presenter. He is best known for his long-standing role as the chief newsreader for Nine News Melbourne.
Peter has been a household name in Australian journalism for over five decades at 4BH radio in Brisbane before he transitioned to television, joining the ABC and later the Nine Network.
Hitchener became the chief news presenter for Nine News Melbourne in 1998, succeeding Brian Naylor, and held the position for over 25 years before moving to weekend bulletins in 2024.
Read Peter Hitchener’s biography where you will get to know more about his relationship, family, education, career, achievements, net worth, height, weight, facts, and more.
Peter Hitchener Wiki & Early Life
| Full Name | Peter Donald Beauchamp Hitchener |
| Profession | Television Presenter, News Anchor |
| Age | 80 years old |
| Date of Birth | February 21, 1946 |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Zodiac/Sun Sign | Pisces |
| Birthplace | Texas, Queensland, Australia |
| Current Address | Yet to be updated |
| Email ID | Yet to be updated |
Peter Hitchener Girlfriend, Wife, Children
Peter Hitchener is believed to be single and has never publicly disclosed details about a spouse or partner. As of now, any information about his relationships or having children is yet to be updated.
| Relationship Status | Single |
| Girlfriend/wife | Yet to be updated |
| Children | Yet to be updated |
Peter Hitchener Family
Peter Hitchener was born into a supportive family in Texas, Queensland, Australia, but he has remained very private about his personal life, including details about his parents and siblings.
| Parent’s Name | Yet to be updated |
| Siblings | Yet to be updated |
Peter Hitchener Education
Peter Hitchener received his early education at The Southport School, a prestigious Anglican boarding school located on the Gold Coast, Queensland. As a student, he developed strong communication skills, which later helped him build a career in journalism.
Details about his higher education are yet to be updated.
| School | The Southport School |
| Alma Mater | Yet to be updated |
| Highest Qualification | Yet to be updated |
Peter Hitchener Career
Peter Hitchener began his media career in 1965 at 4BH radio in Brisbane, Queensland. His role involved writing, editing, and presenting news bulletins, providing him with the foundational experience in journalism.
Transition to Television – ABC (1970s – 1973)
After gaining valuable experience in radio, Hitchener joined the Australian Broadcasting Corporation [1] (ABC) in Brisbane, where he worked as a television and radio news presenter. His dedication and ability to deliver news with credibility saw him promoted to ABC Sydney in 1973, where he worked as a relief presenter.
Joining the Nine Network (1974 – Present)
In 1974, Peter Hitchener joined the Nine Network [2], a move that would define his career. Initially, he worked as a news presenter and reporter for Nine News Sydney before moving to Nine News Melbourne.
Weekend News Presenter and Understudy to Brian Naylor (1974 – 1998)
During his early years at Nine News Melbourne, Hitchener served as the chief weekend news presenter and was the understudy to the legendary Brian Naylor, who was the chief newsreader for Nine News Melbourne.
Becoming Chief News Presenter for Nine News Melbourne (1998 – 2023)
Following Brian Naylor’s retirement in 1998, Peter Hitchener was chosen to replace him as the chief news presenter for Nine News Melbourne.
For over 25 years [3], he remained the trusted face of Nine News Melbourne, covering significant national and global events.
Under his leadership, Nine News Melbourne became one of the most-watched news bulletins in Victoria.
Transition to Weekend Bulletins (2024 – Present)
In November 2023, it was announced that Alicia Loxley and Tom Steinfort would take over as the weeknight presenters for Nine News Melbourne [4].
As a result, Peter Hitchener transitioned to presenting the weekend news bulletins starting in January 2024. While stepping back from the weekday role, he continues to be an integral part of the Nine News team.
| Year | Role | Network Name |
| 1965 – 1970s | Radio News Presenter & Editor | 4BH Radio, Brisbane |
| 1970s – 1973 | TV & Radio News Presenter | ABC Brisbane & ABC Sydney |
| 1974 – 1998 | Weekend News Presenter & Reporter | Nine News Melbourne |
| 1998 – 2023 | Chief News Presenter | Nine News Melbourne |
| 2024 (Present) | Weekend News Presenter | Nine News Melbourne |
Awards & Achievements
Throughout his remarkable career spanning over five decades, Peter Hitchener has received numerous accolades for his contributions to Australian journalism and broadcasting. Below is an overview of his notable awards and achievements:
| Year | Award / Recognition | Description |
| 2017 | Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) | Awarded for service to broadcast media and the community. |
| 2023 | Lifetime Achievement Recognition | Honored for over 50 years in Australian journalism. |
| 1998 – 2023 | Chief News Presenter for Nine News Melbourne | Led Nine News Melbourne for 25+ years, gaining public trust. |
| Ongoing | Community & Charity Work Recognition | Recognized for contributions to charities and fundraising. |
| Career-long | Industry & Public Recognition | Celebrated for excellence in news presentation. |
Peter Hitchener Net Worth, Salary
Estimates of Hitchener’s net worth vary across sources. Some reports suggest it is approximately $5 million. While Hitchener’s annual salary was reported to be approximately $800k.
| Net Worth in Dollars (Approx.) | $5 million |
| Salary (Approx.) | $800k |
Peter Hitchener Height, Weight & Physical Stats
Peter’s exact height, weight, and body measurements are yet to be updated.
| Height | Yet to be updated |
| Body Measurements | Yet to be updated |
| Hair Color | Light Brown |
| Eye Color | Blue |
Interesting Facts About Peter Hitchener
- Peter Hitchener has been in the media industry for over 50 years, making him one of Australia’s longest-serving news presenters.
- He is a passionate animal lover and serves as a patron of Dogs Victoria and an ambassador for Lort Smith Animal Hospital.
- Before joining television, he started his career in radio at 4BH Brisbane in 1965.
More News Anchor From Australia
FAQs
Where was Peter Hitchener born?
Peter Hitchener was born on February 21, 1946 (80 years old), in Texas, Queensland, Australia.
What is Peter Hitchener famous for?
He is famous for being one of Australia’s longest-serving news presenters, leading Nine News Melbourne for over 25 years.
What is Peter Hitchener’s net worth?
Peter Hitchener’s estimated net worth is around $5 million.
How long has Peter Hitchener worked in journalism?
Peter has been in broadcasting for over 50 years, starting his career in 1965.
What is Peter Hitchener doing now?
As of 2024, Peter has transitioned to weekend news bulletins after stepping down as the chief weeknight presenter for Nine News Melbourne.
