Roger Pettitt

1934-2018

Loving Husband of Eileen (dec)

Adored Father of Tony & Peter

Passed away peacefully

Forever in our thoughts

Born Roger John Pettitt in Kogarah/Mortdale on 8^th July 1934, an only child to Parents Grace & William.

Roger was educated at Mortdale & Coogee Public Schools and Sydney Grammar School.

His first employment when he left school in 1950, was a Junior Lab Assistant in Training Physics Department at the University of Sydney then later transferred to The Fisher Library as Library Attendant at the University of Sydney in 1953

He completed 3 months National Service Army Military Training in 1953.

His first employment in Radio was at 2GF Grafton as an announcer, copywriter, sports broadcaster, newsreader from 1958–61.

He met Eileen when he was working at 2GF Grafton radio station, where she was also working. Eileen and her 2 Sons Tony & Peter had come to Grafton to live with her Sister Marie & her family. Eileen and Roger quickly formed a bond and were married in May 1960 then formed a family unit

They all moved to Sydney in 1961, due to the illness of Rogers’s Mother & Father, They enjoyed living in the residences, some on acres which they shared with many German Shepherd dogs over the years and lived in such places as Northmead, Baulkham Hills, Dural, Kellyville, then in the later part of their lives in the Village at Glenhaven.

Roger held a number of casual jobs including Commentator on Sydney Harbour Cruise Boats, Vacuum cleaner Salesman for Electrolux, Real Estate Salesman at Padstow & later Parramatta Sydney Realty.

In 1963 he was appointed the position of Announcer at 2UW Sydney known as the 1110 men, then later to the New/Features Division in 1965 where he produced Sydney’s first talk back radio show and worked there until 1968 when he left 2UW.

He then worked in various positions as an extra in TV series, films and commercials. In 1969 a Gardener at Swains Nursery & in 1970 position as Sales Rep/Stock Controller at Chick Lighting Yennora. In April 1971 he was approached by the Programme Manager of 2CH to do some spare time news reading announcing while still working at Chick Lighting.

In July 1971 2CH he was offered a job as a ‘B’ grade Journalist which entailed news reading, edit voice cuts for news and conduct phone interviews for news, he worked at 2CH until 1988. Whilst at 2CH he researched, wrote commercials and hosted 6 tours of New Zealand, 2 tours to Tasmania, 2 tours to the Riverina, 2 tours to Broken Hill and 1 tour to Lightening Ridge.

He then worked as a Commentator to Sydney Show Boat as well as becoming involved with Marscom Recording Studios on behalf of Marist Bros doing voice overs, he also appeared on TV specials which were shown in Schools in NSW and Interstate.

From 92-04 he then went on to work as a Spruiker for Castle Towers, Castle Hill for many of the stores located in the complex. He was also a compare of the Annual Senior Citizens Luncheon/Concert at the Hills Centre for 10 years. Master of Ceremonies for the Bi-Annual Brother Industries Christmas Function at the Regent Hotel from 1979-1985.

Between 1972 – 1985 he was associated with The Hills Rugby Union Club as an executive, player, referee & coach and was made a life member of the club.

Volunteer Ranger for Baulkham Hills Shire Council from 1965-1979

Volunteer Ranger with Hornsby Council 1980 – 1996.

He was a Justice of the Peace from 1956

He was a recipient of the Queens Silver Jubilee Medal for Service to Broadcasting in 1971.

The 15 year Service Award by 2CH Management.

The Baulkham Hills Shire Councils Community Service Award in 1996

Life Member of the Royal NSW Institute for Deaf & Blind Children & Hills Rugby Union Football Club.

He was interested in watching & playing sport such as Rugby Union – grade player with Randwick, Parramatta and Hills District as a qualified coach and grade referee. Cricket – played lower grade with Randwick CC. Tennis – played B Reserve for the Eastern Suburbs Hard court.

His other interests included, during the 60’s a huge aviary of Australian native birds, panning for gold, digging for sapphires; listening to music, reading, particularly about Australia; watching good documentaries or TV, sport in general, current events, bird watching of the feathered variety, which he did right up to the end, when he enjoyed feeding the lorikeets, magpies & kookaburras who would visit daily for their treats where he lived at Glenhaven Retirement Village with his wife Eileen and later he would come up from Carinya House Nursing Home which is attached at the Village

Sadly his wife Eileen passed away suddenly in June 2018, which left Roger very heartbroken, as he struggled to accept & felt he had nothing to live for. As his health had declined in the few preceding years, he was becoming more frail & immobile. He was admitted to Norwest Private Hospital early December and passed 12 December 2018, Roger was Privately Cremated at Castlebrook Memorial Park on 18 December 2018.