Bob Cronin AM had a distinguished career of more than 50 years in journalism.
Mr Cronin began his career as a cadet on Brisbane’s Courier-Mail in 1960 and worked his way through the ranks at several newspapers before being appointed editor of the Border Morning Mail in Albury in 1974 and editor of the Sun in Melbourne from 1985 to1986. He moved back to Western Australia in 1987 to establish Robert Holmes a Court’s fledgling media empire, which put him in charge of the Western Mail and Albany Advertiser. He took charge of The West Australian as editor-in-chief of WA Newspapers from 1987 to 1996, was general manager of the Shanghai Daily Press till 2008, before returning to WA Newspapers as editor-in-chief from December 2008 until his retirement in October 2016. Lauded as a champion of free speech and press freedom, and a strong leader who inspired great loyalty, Mr Cronin was honoured in 2014 with a Walkley award for journalism leadership.
Mr Cronin also played a significant role in the media community as a member of the Australian Press Council, a founding director of information radio in Perth, a member of the Council of Celebrate WA, a board member of SBS, and chair of the NRL WA (WA's rugby league governing body).
In 2011, he was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for services to print media, journalism and the community.
