It is with great sadness that we note the recent death of Marcus May.

Marcus has been a very significant contributor to ABC Friends, including recruiting many people to the ABC Friends cause, campaigning in elections, active in Geelong/Corangamite area, a former Vice President of ABC Friends Victoria, and a prominent member of the Communications team.

Then President, Peter Monie, recalls meeting Marcus for the first time at an ABC Friends rally on 2 July 2017 arranged to celebrate the 85th birthday of the ABC at Deakin Edge in Melbourne, featuring Kerry O'Brien - veteran ABC Journalist and scion of the ABC Alumni. Marcus came up to Peter after the event to announce that he wanted to get involved. And he meant exactly what he said!!

By the following year, Marcus was heavily involved in a hugely successful ABC Friends Rally at the Melbourne Town Hall with 2000 people inside and many hundreds outside who were being "shepherded" by Marcus on a loud hailer hired for the occasion. The purpose of the Rally was to express strong disapproval at the Governments' cuts to the ABC Budget since 2014, and the message was further promulgated through national streaming on social media.

Marcus was very soon an active member of the ABC Friends Victoria Committee, specialising on the Communications Sub-Committee where his marketing savvy was much valued. As well as his sense of humour.  He worked closely with Rosie Spear and Sally Moseby on that Committee and during the 2019 federal election campaign.

One of the highlights of the following year was Marcus's brilliant intervention in an episode of the ABC program Q&A. Marcus sent in an online question which Tony Jones decide to insert as the last question of the night. The question was targeted at John Roskam, then Executive Director of The Institute of Public Affairs. The gist of the question was:  "Mr Roskam, given that you and your organisation are hell-bent on destroying the ABC, how can you justify appearing on ABC Programs such as Q&A?" John Roskam had no adequate answer to this question and for once was almost silenced. ABC Friends' coffers were $25,000 better off within a week as supporters responded with very generous donations.

Marcus continued to contribute significantly to the work of ABC Friends, including regular visits to Group meetings in Ballarat, Southern Bayside and Geelong (and others), and recruitment talks around Victoria. He even spent some time at the national level, somewhat unwillingly, at a time when his people skills were sorely needed.

Many will recall Marcus’ role in setting up a major public meeting at Hawthorn Town Hall in the early days of the 2022 election campaign. Speakers included representatives from ABC Alumni, Get Up, MEAA, and ABC Friends. The local member, Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg, sent a message which was laughed at, and he no doubt regretted it when he lost the seat to Monique Ryan. Marcus organised the whole event on behalf of ABC Friends and it set the tone for a very successful election campaign to urge people to “Vote for the ABC”.

Marcus was also a frequent contributor to this newsletter, including a series on the Murdoch family called Murdoch Watch and a series called Who's Who in the anti-ABC Zoo. We will miss his precise barbs and fresh writing style.

Ivor Donohue, a long-time colleague of Marcus, thought he was impressive, he had a genial presence. “He was a delight to be with, a real contributor to the cause, a wonderful teammate and a great friend”.

Michael Henry, who was recruited to ABC friends by Marcus in 2019 said Marcus was a “fine man, a delightful friend, and a great contributor. A person with admirable integrity, boundless energy and a terrific sense of humour”.

Marcus will be greatly missed by all of his fellow travellers at ABC Friends and our condolences and best wishes go to Gail and the family.