Brian Wilshire , passing
On January 13, 2026, the Australian radio industry lost one of its most distinctive and enduring voices. Brian Wilshire, the longtime 2GB overnight presenter, passed away at the age of 81, leaving behind a legacy that spanned nearly five decades of broadcasting and a library of personal interests as eclectic as his talkback topics. A Journey Through the Airwaves Brian Wilshire’s radio career began in 1969 at 2NZ in Inverell, followed by stints at 2TM in Tamworth and 2CA in Canberra. In 1974, he moved to Sydney as a newsreader for 2UE, but it was at 2GB, where he joined in 1979, that he became a fixture of the midnight hours. For over 35 years, Wilshire dominated the Sydney overnight ratings. He was perhaps best known for his pioneering program "Midnight Matchmaker," which launched in 1981. Long before dating apps, Wilshire provided a platform for lonely Sydneysiders to find companionship, introduced by the melancholic strains of Pete Fountain’s "Hanky Panky." He...