Legendary ABC Radio Sydney broadcaster and musician James Valentine was awarded an Order of Australia in the weeks before his death at 64 after a battle with cancer.
Valentine was the voice of afternoon TV for a generation before becoming a defining presence on radio, his near-40-year career making him one of the most recognisable voices in Australian broadcasting.
Valentine died at home surrounded by family, with his loved ones confirming he used voluntary assisted dying after a long illness.
“James passed peacefully at home surrounded by his family, who adored him,” his family said in a statement.
“Throughout his illness, James did it his way, which lasted all the way until the end when he made the choice to do voluntary assisted dying.
“Both he and his family are grateful he was given the option to go out on his own terms. He was calm, dignified as always and somehow still making us laugh.”
Speaking to 702 ABC Sydney, his children Roy and Ruby said Valentine was “a great dad”.
“I think that is something that we wanted to say – everyone knows he was such a kind man and so generous and compassionate, but he was just such a great dad as well,” Ruby said.
“That kindness and compassion came through for us as well.”
His son Roy said he had been listening to the flood of tributes with his family on the balcony.
“The thing that sticks out for me is this period has been one of kind of pure joy with him and love,” he said.
Valentine awarded Order of Australia before death
On Thursday morning, Governor-General Sam Mostyn revealed that Valentine was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in a private ceremony held with his family last week, with the honour also confirmed to have been made on his deathbed.
Ms Mostyn spoke about having attended a “living wake” for Valentine on Valentine’s Day, describing it as a rare and meaningful gathering that reflected the broadcaster’s deep connection with his audience and colleagues.
She told 702 ABC Sydney the medal was given to Valentine’s family over the weekend.
“I was sent a recommendation by the Council of the Australian Honours to approve James’s appointment as a Member of the Australian honour system, an AM,” Ms Mostyn said.
“We were able to work very quick – I knew how sick James was – and working with his family we got the medal struck (and) engraved with his name.
“I was able to present that to (his children) Ruby and Roy at Admiralty House (on) Saturday so it could be presented to James with his family.”
The AM is one of Australia’s highest civilian honours, awarded by the Governor-General for significant service to a particular field or community, with recipients nominated by the public and recognised for contributions that go well beyond their professional roles.
“As a pioneering broadcaster, gifted musician, and passionate advocate for the arts, his lifetime of achievement has enriched the public conversation and championed Australian creativity,” the Order of Australia citation read, per the ABC.
“On radio, screen, and stage, James has reminded us that conversation and community matters, and kindness belongs at the heart of public life.”
‘Very best of company’: Albanese remembers veteran host
Anthony Albanese told reporters on Thursday Valentine was “someone who was always very good to talk with”.
“He is someone who was engaging to talk with and who Australians listened to and trusted,” the Prime Minister said.
“He listened, he put forward his views. He was entertaining and he was uplifting as well, which is why his recent health issues that he’s gone through are so devastating for all those who knew him and loved him.
Mr Albanese said Valentine’s Order of Australia was well-deserved.
“(Valentine), quite rightly, received an Order of Australia award,” he said.
“He was someone who was most deserving of it.”
“Today, I just express my sympathy to his family and his many, many friends and those who never met him but felt like they knew him because of the way that he engaged with them through the radio.”
In a statement on X, Mr Albanese described Valentine as one of the country’s “national treasures”.
“Australia first got to know James through the sound of his saxophone, most notably in his years with The Models. But it was as a mainstay on the ABC that we really got to know his voice,” he wrote.
“As a presenter and as an author, James was an incisive, witty and often mischievous presence. When he was on, you always felt like you were in the very best of company.
“Our thoughts now are with his loved ones. May James Valentine rest in peace.”
NSW Premier Chris Minns said he was devastated by Valentine’s death.
“He had a kind of quirky, unique way of talking with people in Sydney and he was both an interested and interesting person, which is unique,” he said per the ABC.
“He will be hugely missed.”
Inside Valentine’s illustrious career
Valentine stepped away from ABC Radio Sydney’s Afternoons program earlier this year after 25 years in the role following a return to cancer treatment after new tumours were discovered.
His broadcasting career began in 1987 at the ABC, where he hosted the Afternoon Show for children on television after a decade working as a professional musician.
He performed with bands including The Models and collaborated with artists such as Wendy Matthews, Kate Ceberano and Jo Camilleri.
He later became a fixture of ABC Radio Sydney, where Afternoons built a devoted following through its humour, improvisation and unconventional talkback segments.
In 2024, Valentine revealed on air he had been diagnosed with oesophageal cancer following a sudden medical incident at a social event.
At the time, he described feeling “equal parts hopeful and terrified”.
After undergoing treatment and returning to radio, he later stepped back again when further tumours were detected.
A farewell message earlier this year reflected on his decision to leave broadcasting, with declining health a central factor.
“It’s sad news, it’s definitely sad news for me,” Valentine said.
“This decision has been hard for me to make, but look, I think my health is giving me a pretty clear message that it still might be a while until I could return and resume broadcasting.
“(It) could still be another year or six months or so until I’ve got the energy or the strength to come back. I just think it’s too long. I think it’s time to say ‘come on, somebody else (should) come and have a shot’.
“I need to focus on getting better, on being with family and friends and making sure that I’m giving my health my best shot.”
Tributes flow for beloved radio host
Tributes began flowing as news of Valentine’s death spread on Thursday morning.
His long-time colleague Richard Glover paid tribute to both the man and his impact on Sydney radio.
“Certainly for me, it was the greatest professional, lucky stroke of my career that I got to meet him,” Glover said.
“He brought joy to me and fun to me every single day for 26 years.
“You just sat in your motor car listening to James and his listeners, and it filled you full of pleasure about your fellow Sydneysiders.”
He also described how Valentine’s style made audiences feel connected, saying he “brought out this enormous creativity and enormous love” through segments that celebrated everyday life and relationships.
ABC managing director Hugh Marks acknowledged Valentine’s influence on Australian radio, highlighting his ability to connect with audiences.
“He has been a trusted companion for so many people, part of the rhythm of everyday life for generations of our Sydney audience,” Mr Marks said.
“James brought warmth, wit and humanity to radio as an exemplar of radio craft. His style was never about confrontation or noise, it was always about connection.”
Former Triple J and ABC Radio Sydney presenter Robbie Buck described the loss as the passing of a unique broadcaster and colleague.
“Vale to one of the greatest. The joyous, irrepressible and unbelievably sharp James Valentine has left us. What a wonderful human to have worked with. Thanks for all the laughs James. Godspeed,” Buck said.
Wendy Harmer shared a brief tribute reflecting on his character and impact.
“Lovely, clever man. You will be so missed,” she said.
In his final program, Valentine reflected on a career that had defined much of his life, stating that it was “really quite extraordinary” to have been able to do something he loved for so long.
“Thank you to (the) listeners. Thank you to (the) producers,’ he said.
“To the ABC, and I mean that in the entire ABC … thank you for letting me do it. Goodbye.”
Valentine is survived by his wife Joanne and children Ruby and Roy, with memorial arrangements to be announced in the coming days.
