Rob Astbury dies at 69
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Rob Astbury dies at 69
If you have been around Pattaya long enough, you may remember Rob Astbury. He was also quite well known in Australia. He and I were friends. He left Pattaya and returned to Australia several years ago. We kept in touch periodically.
I am quite upset at the news of his death.
A friend informed me of his death this morning and sent the following:
____________________________________________________________
Former journalist and TV presenter Rob Astbury has died at the age of 69.
For over 20 years, Astbury was a multi-award winning investigative sports journalist and at one point was the highest-paid sports journalist in Australia.
He worked across all three commercial channels in Melbourne — initially at ATV0 (Ten), then Nine and later at Seven.
He also worked in radio, including a stint at 3AK in Melbourne.
Astbury broke many exclusive sports stories and was a recipient of two Penguin Awards and ten VFL/AFL media awards.
After leaving the media, he moved into a successful career in real estate, in Thailand for more than a decade and then later back in Australia on the Gold Coast.
In 2005, Astbury was “outed” as the secret former lover of Graham Kennedy, amid allegations made by Derryn Hinch after Kennedy’s death that the TV legend died of AIDS. This was later refuted by medical records, though Astbury would later reveal that he had contracted HIV in the early 2000s.
Astbury later wrote of his relationship with Kennedy in a book, King and I: My Life With Graham Kennedy.
Story, photos, video: http://televisionau.com/2017/11/obituar ... tbury.html
Re: Rob Astbury dies at 69
I am sorry for your loss. These days 69 is too young to meet one's Maker.
Re: Rob Astbury dies at 69
As I said on another board, Rob was a good man. One of the best. Sorry he's no longer with us.
Re: Rob Astbury dies at 69
Very sad and, to me, so unexpected. Having dinner in a restaurant with Rob was always an experience in itself! Quite the best salesman I have ever encounted. R.I. P.
Re: Rob Astbury dies at 69
Just adding my sympathies on your loss, GB.
My blog: http://khunbaobao.blogspot.com/