BREAKING: Tributes are flooding in for renowned journalist and wine writer John Lewis, who passed away at the age of 92 after a brief illness. The former editor of the Newcastle Herald leaves behind a legacy that spanned seven decades and touched countless lives in the journalism and wine communities.
His daughter-in-law, Amanda Moore, expressed deep sorrow, stating, “We are so proud to have known and grown from our deeply cherished and much adored father, grandfather, and father-in-law.” She highlighted his unwavering integrity and kindness, adding that his values of truth and civic duty will live on through his family.
Born in Newcastle in 1933, Mr. Lewis began his journalism journey at the Armidale Express before moving to the Daily Advertiser in Wagga Wagga. He returned to Newcastle to join the Sun, where he rose to the position of deputy editor. In 1979, he transitioned to the then-broadsheet Newcastle Herald, where he eventually served as editor-in-chief until his retirement in 1993.
Mr. Lewis was awarded the prestigious Gold Walkley in 1981 for his outstanding reporting on the battle for control of the Newcastle TV station NBN, making him the first regional journalist to achieve this honor. Rod Quinn, ACM editorial director and former editor of the Herald, praised Lewis as a master of his craft who mentored generations of journalists.
“John was a leader who held his journalists to the highest standards,” Quinn recalled. He remembered Lewis as “firm, fair, and forgiving,” especially towards novice reporters. Lewis was known for his unique editorial style, often leaving handwritten notes on clippings, offering praise or constructive criticism.
During his tenure at the Sun, Mr. Lewis launched the “Trencherman” column, focusing on wine and food in Newcastle and the Hunter. This column, which ran for an impressive 47 years, is considered one of the longest-running of its kind in Australia. In recent years, his insights on wine continued to appear in the midweek food pages of the Newcastle Herald.
“My approach has always been you give your readers your opinion, and the proviso is, it’s my opinion,” Mr. Lewis shared with the Herald in 2023. He wrapped up his prolific writing career to celebrate his 90th birthday.
The Hunter wine community recognized his contributions with the unveiling of the John Lewis Newcastle Herald Trophy for museum red at the 2023 Hunter Valley Wine Show. Chris Tyrrell from Tyrrell’s Wines remarked, “John was more interested in how you got to the wine in the glass,” highlighting his passion for learning and conversation.
As tributes continue to pour in, the impact of John Lewis’s work and character is felt deeply. He is remembered not just as a journalist but as a true gentleman whose legacy will resonate for years to come.
