Personal reflections from a leading ABC Alumni on how her career intersected with Peter Manning at the ABC.

Deborah Richards is an award winning journalist and producer. She’s reported for Four Corners, Lateline, and was Executive Producer of Media Watch, co-winning the Gold Walkley for the “Cash-for-Comment” expose.

Her ABC career began in Victoria—as a radio and TV producer for the Education section, but ended up in NSW, the headquarters of the ABC and from where other states ABC offices were “somewhat sniffily” referred to as the “BAPH-M” (Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Hobart, and Melbourne – anywhere other than Sydney!

Peter Manning was an important figure in Deb’s career.

She had worked on an archival series called Australia, A New World for Sure documenting social and political changes in Australia during the 1960's and 70's.  It was this expertise in archives that lead to a call from Peter Manning- asking if she could come up to Sydney “for 8 weeks” to produce a special 4 Corners documenting the tenth anniversary of the Whitlam downfall with reporter Kerry O’Brien. She stayed as a producer at 4 Corners for the next, very eventful, five years.

Manning was just taking up the reins as Executive Producer in the mid-1980s, and had a real enthusiasm for television journalism and what it could do.

“As a program leader Peter had a rare talent, clarity of vision and a sense of purpose. He led with warmth and enthusiasm,” Deb recalls, “and he always backed his team.”

With a keen editorial judgement, his dynamite combination of qualities lead to the production of some of the most notable 4 Corners programs ever made: “Moonlight State", "Rainbow Warrior”, “Black Death”, "Blue Death"… It was a golden era, leading to corruption inquiries and Royal Commissions.

Later as Head of News and Current Affairs, Manning was responsible for initiating a raft of new programs: Lateline, Foreign Correspondent, Landline, Attitude among others.

He commissioned Lateline with no allocated budget – something he went to bat for because he believed in its importance, later conjuring the money. Deb became the Canberra based reporter for Lateline reporting on national policy issues and politics.

The program took advantage of new satellite technology, bringing key players in Australia and the world to account. Helmed by Kerry O’Brien, Lateline set a reputation for excellence in public broadcasting.

Peter faced health challenges in recent years, and died on the 28th September. He was honoured at the Walkley Awards last year in recognition of his singular contribution to journalistic leadership and commitment to public knowledge in Australia.

He built strong teams, encouraged many fine journalists and program makers, and created a huge chunk of Australian news and current affairs history.

It is a proud legacy. 

Deb Richards (with Peter Marks)

Read Jonathan Holmes' tribute on the ABC Alumni site