The radio industry will pay tribute to the late Peter Harvie following his passing last month.
Harvie, or Harvs as he was known, will be honoured with a memorial service celebrating his life and legacy.
On behalf of the Harvie family, friends, and members of the industry, the service will be hosted on Monday, July 18, beginning at 6:30 pm at The Great Hall at the National Gallery of Victoria.
A long-time director of Southern Cross Austereo, Harvie was inducted into the Commercial Radio Hall of Fame at the 26th annual Australian Commercial Radio Awards in 2014.
Harvie was honoured for his outstanding lifetime achievement and contribution to the radio broadcasting industry.
Upon the news of his passing last month, tributes flowed from big names and colleagues in the radio industry who remembered the radio stalwart.
See also: Remembering Peter Harvie: Passing of a radio great who nurtured Austereo’s talent
Longtime Triple M contributor and breakfast host Eddie McGuire told Mediaweek he spoke with Harvie just a fortnight before his passing. “Peter Harvie was a legend of the media industry,” McGuire said.
“He understood as well as anyone the need to nurture and support on-air performers. He also, through his advertising background, had an innate understanding of clients and the concept of the ‘show and business.’
“Many years after retirement age he was still an executive who could ‘read the play’ of technology and was totally engaged in what was happening or about to happen rather than revel in past glories.
“His dedication to causes particularly the Commando Welfare Trust supporting members of the Australian Army’s Special Operations Command made him a man for all seasons.
“I will miss our lunches at France-Soir, his support and advice. When it came to media Peter Harvie ‘got it’. We’ve lost one of the greatest.”
Hamish and Andy with Village Roadshow’s John Kirby and Peter Harvie (Source: Andy Lee)
Other Austereo/SCA radio stars that Harvie helped to nurture and promote were Hamish and Andy. On learning of his passing, Andy Lee said:
“One of the greatest humans I have ever come to know. He protected Hamish and I as we made our way into the industry and was a great ear for all my questions along the ride.
“Good mentors are hard to find and I hope you knew how much I appreciated your tidbits of wisdom. Chairman Harvie, you’ll be sorely missed. You’ve been on my wall for the last 10 years and will stay there.”
While Harvie called Melbourne home, he worked across the SCA network and early on was a big supporter of Kyle Sandilands and Jackie O. It’s quite possible if he was handling contract negotiations at the company in the last decade the duo might still be hosting Sydney’s #1 breakfast show from World Square.
Sandilands said: “Peter was a true boss in every sense of the word. He saved me more than once in my career and above all allowed creative people to shine. Peter will be missed, but his teachings and guidance will live on.”
Those who would like to attend are asked to RSVP by Wednesday, July 13, here.
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Top image: Peter Harvie at the 2014 CRA