Blessed with a rich, resonant voice and excellent diction, he began working as an announcer at commercial radio station 4CA Cairns - the start of his long career in broadcasting.
He had returned to daytime teaching in 1973, at St Joseph's College, Gregory Terrace, Brisbane, in tandem with his evening television work.
In a damaging internal party brawl, he was narrowly disendorsed as the Nationals' candidate for the seat in the 1986 election and retired from Parliament.
In later life, he returned to teaching, at Wynnum State High School and rekindled his career as an actor and musical theatre performer, appearing in a range of professional and semi-professional stage and television productions.
In 1980, he was awarded an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) in recognition of his service to the community and to radio and television news.