Award-winning journalist Michael Gordon has died after suffering a suspected heart attack during an ocean swim on Victoria’s Phillip Island.
The 62-year-old Fairfax writer was pulled from the water and brought to shore at Cowes about 10.30am Saturday but tragically died at the scene despite efforts to revive him.
Gordon won a Walkley Award – one of the profession’s highest accolades – for most outstanding contribution to journalism in 2017, the year during which he left his long-term role as political editor.
Gordon (pictured) won a Walkley Award – one of the profession’s highest accolades – for most outstanding contribution to journalism in 2017, the year during which he left his long-term role as political editor
The award-winning journalist died after suffering a suspected heart attack during an ocean swim on Victoria’s Phillip Island (pictured)
The father-of-two died after competing in an ocean swim and was pulled unconscious from the water on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula.
He worked at the Australian newspaper for 37 years after starting his career in journalism at the age of 17.
Gordon has been described as a ‘a giant of Australian journalism’ and was one of the publication’s most loved, respected and lauded writers, according to The Age.
Friends, colleagues and family members were quick to pay tribute to the high-profile and respected journalist.
Gordon (pictured) has been described as a ‘a giant of Australian journalism’ and was one of the publication’s most loved, respected and lauded writers, according to The Age
The father-of-two died after competing in an ocean swim and was pulled unconscious from the water on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula (pictured)
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull gave his condolences and said Gordon was ‘one of the most wise and calm’ journalists and offered love and sympathy to his wife Robyn and family.
‘A good friend and great mentor to so many. He left us far too soon,’ Mr Turnbull posted on Twitter.
Opposition leader Bill Shorten said Gordon was simply ‘one of the good guys’.
‘A passion for truth-telling, a champion for social justice, his every word was wielded for a cause,’ Mr Shorten tweeted.
‘I’ll miss reading him and talking to him immensely.’
In addition to his long tenure at Fairfax, Gordon was a former political editor of The Australian and US correspondent for The Herald.
‘A good friend and great mentor to so many. He left us far too soon,’ Mr Turnbull posted on Twitter (pictured)
The 62-year-old Fairfax writer was pulled from the water and brought to shore at Cowes (pictured) about 10.30am Saturday but tragically died at the scene despite efforts to revive him
Gordon wrote about his formative years as a cadet in a column published in June 2017, describing how securing the position at age 17 and when his father Harry was the editor was viewed with suspicion by some.
He spent ‘long spells’ on real estate, police rounds and the Trades Hall – the ‘perfect prelude to observing national affairs’ – before moving to the press gallery in Canberra.
Former Prime Minister John Howard was named by Gordon as the catalyst for a focus on the plight of asylum seekers, one of many subjects he covered with passion.
As he left journalism at the same age his father did, Gordon said his overwhelming emotion was one of ‘immense gratitude’.
Gordon sent through his last copy to The Age before his death only several days earlier.