Russell Woolf Explained

Russell Lesley Woolf[1] (1964[2] – 26 October 2021[3]) was an Australian media personality who was best known as a presenter on ABC Radio Perth in Western Australia.

Early life

Woolf was born and raised in Perth. He attended Carmel School. After finishing high school he spent a year in Israel[4] before returning to Perth to study at the University of Western Australia and Curtin University.In his mid-20s, he studied broadcasting at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts.

Career

He worked as a presenter for 6SE Radio West in Esperance for 18 months, then spent two years at 6KG in Kalgoorlie, before joining the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) in 1997 as its Karratha-based resources reporter, a position he held for five years.[4] [5] [6] [7] Woolf then returned to Perth where he co-hosted 720's afternoon show with Verity James. In 2005 he took over the late afternoon Drive program, where he remained until resigning from the ABC in December 2013.[8] [9]

Woolf was also the weather presenter for Perth's ABC News from 2007 to 2011. The role was removed by the ABC for budgetary reasons; subsequently the weather was presented by the main newsreader (Karina Carvalho at the time).[5] [10] [11]

Woolf was an ambassador for the Western Australian Commissioner for Children and Young People,[12] and a patron of Inclusion WA.[13]

He was a candidate in the 2014 WA Senate by-election (together with Verity James) on a "Save Our ABC" platform.[7] [14]

In 2015, Woolf announced he was moving with his family to the United States, leaving his position as host of Saturday Breakfast on 720 after his last show on 12 December 2015.[15]

He returned to ABC Radio Perth in January 2019, co-presenting the weekday Breakfast program with Nadia Mitsopoulos.[16] [17] In January 2021, Mitsopoulos moved to the Mornings program, leaving Woolf presenting solo.[18]

Personal life

Woolf was married and the couple had a daughter, born in 2008.[4] [19]

He was Jewish.[20]

Death

Woolf died in his sleep unexpectedly in the early morning of 26 October 2021, at the age of 56. His death was announced on ABC Radio Perth by Woolf's colleague, Geoff Hutchison. Among those who paid tribute to Woolf were Western Australian premier Mark McGowan and former ABC Radio co-host and close friend Nadia Mitsopoulos.[3] [21]

He is buried at Karrakatta Cemetery.[22]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Funeral Notice: WOOLF Russell . The West Announcements . 2 November 2021.
  2. 2021-10-26. 2021-10-27. ABC News WA (7pm News). Australian Broadcasting Corporation. ABC iview. 0:47 to 01.04. Background image from.
  3. Web site: Beloved ABC Perth presenter Russell Woolf dies . ABC News . 26 October 2021 . 26 October 2021.
  4. Web site: Russell Woolf – Live on Air and Loving It . Peter McClelland . Medical Forum WA . 2012-03-01 . 2014-03-16.
  5. Web site: Russell Woolf . Australian Broadcasting Corporation . 2007 . 2014-03-16 . bot: unknown . https://web.archive.org/web/20131213182117/http://www.abc.net.au/profiles/content/s1857057.htm . 13 December 2013.
  6. Web site: Russell Woolf . Russell Woolf . LinkedIn . 2014-03-16.
  7. Web site: WA byelection: The Woolf released among Senate candidate pack . Nicole Cox . WAtoday . 2014-03-13 . 2014-03-16.
  8. Web site: Russell Woolf moves on from Drive . Australian Broadcasting Corporation . 2013-12-06 . 2014-03-16.
  9. Web site: Popular Drive host Russell Woolf announces he's leaving 720 ABC . news.com.au . 2013-12-06 . 2014-03-16.
  10. Web site: ABC axes Woolf s weather gig . The West Australian . Gary Adshead . 2011-09-22 . 2014-03-16.
  11. Web site: Cold snap falls over ABC weather as Woolf retreats to radio . The Age . Jenna Clarke . 2011-09-22 . 2014-03-16.
  12. Web site: Ambassadors for Children and Young People . Government of Western Australia . 2014-03-16.
  13. Web site: Russell Woolf joins Inclusion WA as Patron . Inclusion WA . 2013-12-18 . 2014-03-16.
  14. Web site: WA Senate draw good news for Greens . ninemsn . 2014-03-14 . 2014-03-16.
  15. Web site: Morris. Nick. ABC Radio 2016 Perth line up changes . Media release . ABC Radio Media Room . Australian Broadcasting Corporation . 26 January 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160126035017/http://radio.press.abc.net.au/abc-radio-2016-perth-line-up-changes . 26 January 2016 . live . 4 December 2015.
  16. News: Russell Woolf returns to ABC Radio Perth, which will expand local programming in 2019. 6 December 2018. 6 December 2018. Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
  17. Web site: Breakfast. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 21 January 2019.
  18. Web site: Trusted voices return to ABC Radio Perth in 2021. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 2020-11-25. 2021-01-15.
  19. Web site: Woolf Cub arrives!! . Australian Broadcasting Corporation . Russell Woolf . 2008-03-17 . 2014-03-16.
  20. My Jewish Christmas. 2019. Russell Woolf. 0:44, 2:41. SoundCloud.
  21. Web site: Richards . Natalie . Steger . Sarah . ABC Perth host and journalist Russell Woolf dies . The West Australian . 26 October 2021 . 26 October 2021.
  22. News: Russell Woolf death: Mourners gather at private funeral at Jewish Orthodox section of Karrakatta Cemetery. The West Australian. 2021-10-29. 2021-10-30.

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