Alexander George "Terry" Dear (4 October 1913[1] – 1995) was an Australian radio personality in the "Golden years of Australian AM radio", remembered as the last compere of Australia's Amateur Hour. Known for his affable personality, he made a moderately successful transition to television.
History
editDear was born in Fitzroy North, Victoria, a son of James Kidd Dear (died 1952)[2] and Annie Dear, née Bryan. He was educated to Intermediate level.[1]
He set out as an Engineering student, but was more interested in a career in singing, taking lessons from Amelia Banks.[3]
He began his radio career with Melbourne's 3KZ, as compere of a five-hour Saturday night program of dance music,[4] though also claimed by 3AW.[5]
During WWII he served in Lae, New Guinea, as announcer and OC with the rank of lieutenant in the Army radio station.[1][6] In 1946, following his discharge, he was appointed production manager at 3AW.[7]
He was introduced to the Amateur Hour audience by Harry Dearth on 24 August 1950, and took over as producer and compere when 2GB took over as host broadcaster from 2UW,[8] the following week.[9] Dear rated Angelina Arena as the show's most important "discovery", but other contestants include opera stars Donald Smith and Colin Grant, and performers Rolf Harris, Frank Ifield and Marie Tysoe.[10]
He has been named as one of the 'Five D's of Australian Radio' with Jack Davey, Bob Dyer, John Dease and Harry Dearth. Unlike Davey and Dearth, Dear survived the transition to television.[10] Dear was a well-known figure on Victorian television from its inception in 1957, as compere of the short-lived Amateur Hour and Leave It to the Girls. He had a daytime quiz program Concentration from 1960.[11]
He left television,[when?] and in later life was a business executive with a large Sydney company.[10]
Personal
editDear married Phyllis Mary Farnan on 23 September 1940;[12] their family included Ian (born c. 1941), Tim (born 30 November 1944),[13] Ian (born c. 1948), Ann (born c. 1951). In 1940 they lived at 15 Chasleton Ave. Toorak, Victoria;[3] in 1962 they had a home in Pymble, New South Wales.[11]
References
edit- ^ a b c "Attestation Form". Australian Military Forces. Retrieved 13 October 2023.
- ^ "Family Notices". The Argus (Melbourne). No. 32, 902. Victoria, Australia. 15 February 1952. p. 14. Retrieved 13 October 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ a b "The Voice Behind the Mike". The Weekly Times. No. 3749. Victoria, Australia. 26 April 1941. p. 8. Retrieved 13 October 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "Week-end Broadcasting Information". The Herald (Melbourne). No. 18, 260. Victoria, Australia. 23 November 1935. p. 47. Retrieved 13 October 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "3AW — "Station of the Stars"". The Argus (Melbourne). Victoria, Australia. 24 July 1956. p. 12. Retrieved 13 October 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "Reunion". The Examiner (Tasmania). Vol. CIX, no. 203. Tasmania, Australia. 1 February 1951. p. 4. Retrieved 13 October 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "Advertising". The Argus (Melbourne). No. 31, 100. Victoria, Australia. 6 May 1946. p. 4. Retrieved 13 October 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "Terry Dear for Amateur Hour". The Sun (Sydney). No. 12647. New South Wales, Australia. 10 August 1950. p. 9. Retrieved 12 October 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "Terry Dear Tonight". The Advertiser (Adelaide). Vol. 93, no. 28, 665. South Australia. 24 August 1950. p. 10. Retrieved 12 October 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ a b c Nancye Bridges (1983). Wonderful Wireless. Methuen. ISBN 045400513X.
- ^ a b "Terry Dear, Compere of "Concentration"". The Australian Women's Weekly. Vol. 30. Australia, Australia. 9 January 1963. p. 1 (Television). Retrieved 13 October 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "No title". The Age. No. 26, 658. Victoria, Australia. 24 September 1940. p. 3. Retrieved 13 October 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "Family Notices". The Herald (Melbourne). No. 21, 076. Victoria, Australia. 4 December 1944. p. 4. Retrieved 13 October 2023 – via National Library of Australia.