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Peter Cundall, long-time host of ABC's Gardening Australia, dies aged 94
Peter Cundall, long-time host of ABC's Gardening Australia, dies aged 94
Credits: ABC News
Credits: ABC News
Tributes are pouring in for Peter Cundall, the much-loved former host of ABC's Gardening Australia, who died, aged 94, following a short illness.
Cundall, who had appeared on the national broadcaster for nearly five decades, died on Sunday in Tasmania.
ABC issued a statement confirming the news on Sunday afternoon.
“On Sunday 5 December 2021, Peter Cundall passed away peacefully after a short illness, surrounded by his family,” it read.
“Peter’s privacy and the privacy of his family is to be respected during this very sad time.
“Peter’s family does not wish to be contacted. While he was loved by many, as per Peter’s wishes, there will be a private cremation, and no memorial services will be held.”
Cundall hosted Gardening Australia from 1990 to 2008 and became a household name in the gardening world.
His passion for the environment extended far beyond his own vegetable patch, as he also entered politics.
In the 1961 federal election, he was the Communist Party of Australia's federal senate candidate in his home state of Tasmania.
He also spoke at rallies and events in support of many left-wing political and environmental organisations.
Mike Carlton, a media commentator, and author, was among those who paid tribute, describing Cundall as a lovely bloke.
Cundall marched alongside thousands of other Australians in 2003 to protest the country's involvement in the Iraq war.
On November 19, 2009, he was arrested by police at a separate protest after refusing to obey requests to move from the Tasmanian state parliament’s front steps.
He was there to protest the Gunns' Tamar Valley pulp mill, a controversial $2.3 billion pulp mill proposal.
Cundall, who had appeared on the national broadcaster for nearly five decades, died on Sunday in Tasmania.
ABC issued a statement confirming the news on Sunday afternoon.
“On Sunday 5 December 2021, Peter Cundall passed away peacefully after a short illness, surrounded by his family,” it read.
“Peter’s privacy and the privacy of his family is to be respected during this very sad time.
“Peter’s family does not wish to be contacted. While he was loved by many, as per Peter’s wishes, there will be a private cremation, and no memorial services will be held.”
Cundall hosted Gardening Australia from 1990 to 2008 and became a household name in the gardening world.
His passion for the environment extended far beyond his own vegetable patch, as he also entered politics.
In the 1961 federal election, he was the Communist Party of Australia's federal senate candidate in his home state of Tasmania.
He also spoke at rallies and events in support of many left-wing political and environmental organisations.
Mike Carlton, a media commentator, and author, was among those who paid tribute, describing Cundall as a lovely bloke.
Cundall marched alongside thousands of other Australians in 2003 to protest the country's involvement in the Iraq war.
On November 19, 2009, he was arrested by police at a separate protest after refusing to obey requests to move from the Tasmanian state parliament’s front steps.
He was there to protest the Gunns' Tamar Valley pulp mill, a controversial $2.3 billion pulp mill proposal.
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