Neil Mitchell is a former Australian newspaper and magazine journalist, radio presenter, and television personality, gained widespread recognition for his extensive tenure on the Melbourne AM talk-back station 3AW. He is a keen supporter of the Melbourne Football Club.
Bio/Wiki
Age-72 years
Height-1.65 m
Weight-70 kg
Born-21 November 1951
Birthplace-Melbourne, Australia
Spouse-Selina
Profession-Australian journalist and radio presenter
Nationality- Australian
Parents
Born in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, he is the son of a school teacher. Unfortunately, the names of his parents are not available.
Wife and Children
Since the 1980s, Mitchell has been married to Selina and they have a son and a daughter.
Career
Newspaper Journalist and Television
At the age of 17, Mitchell entered ventured into journalism immediately after finishing high school. He has been actively engaged in newspapers, radio, and television throughout his career.
Becoming one of the youngest editors of a major Australian metropolitan newspaper, The Herald, Mitchell held the position from 1985 to 1987. Additionally, he served as a reporter, columnist, and news executive at The Age for 16 years, including a four-year stint as sports editor. Mitchell’s diverse experience also extends to working for Time Magazine.
He hosted documentaries and his talk-back TV program on both the Nine and Ten networks, though both were short-lived. Additionally, Mitchell contributed to two programs on the Seven Network and on Sky News Australia.
Radio 3AW career
Mitchell commenced his tenure at Melbourne station 3AW in March 1987, initially working part-time on weekends and filling in during mornings for former broadcaster Derryn Hinch. By October 1987, he had become the host of the drive time program. In 1990, Mitchell transitioned to the morning program, where he has remained a successful and influential figure ever since. His presence extended beyond radio as he appeared as himself in the first season of the Australian comedy television series Frontline in 1994.
In December 2009, Mitchell faced a concerted effort by rival talk station MTR to acquire his services. Despite protracted negotiations, he chose to stay at 3AW, citing loyalty to his listeners as the primary reason for continuing with the station, rejecting a more lucrative offer from MTR.
In August 2011, Mitchell inked a new three-year, multi-million-dollar contract with 3AW, effective from January 2012.
Mitchell is involved in community and charity work both professionally and in his private life.
Achievement/ Awards
Queen’s Birthday Honors (June 2007):
- Neil Mitchell was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO).
- The recognition was conferred “For service to the print, radio and television media, and to the community through a range of charitable institutions.”
Melbourne Press Club Quill Awards:
- Throughout his media career, Mitchell has earned eight Melbourne Press Club Quill Awards for the best radio current affairs report.
- He also received one award for the best columnist.
Graham Perkin Australian Journalist of the Year Award (2011):
- In 2011, Neil Mitchell was honored with the Melbourne Press Club Graham Perkin Australian Journalist of the Year Award.
- This prestigious award acknowledged his excellence in radio journalism spanning a quarter of a century.
- Mitchell holds the distinction of being the first radio journalist to receive this coveted award.
Walkley Award (November 2013):
- Neil Mitchell secured his first Walkley Award in November 2013.
- The award was in the radio/audio news and current affairs category.
- Mitchell was recognized for his report on the Ford Motor Company’s decision to cease manufacturing vehicles in Australia after 2016.
Melbourne Press Club’s Quill Awards (March 2014):
- In March 2014, Neil Mitchell was announced as the winner of the 2013 Best Radio Current Affairs Report at the Melbourne Press Club’s annual Quill awards.
- This particular award acknowledged Mitchell’s investigative report on the Ford Motor Company’s resolution to conclude local manufacturing in Australia.
Australian Commercial Radio Awards:
- 2007 Inducted into the Australian Commercial Radio Hall of Fame
- 2008 Best talk presenter
- 2011 Best talk presenter
- 2012 Best current affairs presenter
- 2013 Best current affairs presenter
Net Worth 2023
Neil Mitchell is estimated to have a net worth or net income ranging between $1 million and $6 million dollars.
Latest News about Neil Mitchell
Neil Mitchell announced his last day on 3AW
As part of his final performance, he played the song Another One Bites The Dust as a sharp evocation of other public figures’ departures.
“Today I play it for myself,” Mitchell said, before welcoming his opening guest right out of the fade-out from Queen.
“I could be playing that for you,” he told his interviewee. “The polls are bad, you look tired … what are you doing wrong?”
Anthony Albanese, the headline act on one of the most remarkable runs in Australian radio history, was on the other end of the phone. This marked the end of an era, and it was classic Mitchell.
His exit dominated the headlines on his own station Friday morning, underscoring his status as a prominent figure in Melbourne. For decades, every newsroom in the city has tuned in to hear his studio broadcasts, and this morning was no different. TV cameras and photographers documented his final hours on air.
However, they all had to vacate the premises for the last half-hour of his show.
That, he promised, would be just him and his listeners for one last stoush. “I should warn you, I haven’t had much sleep, so I’m a bit dangerous.”
