Australia is mourning the loss of Derryn Hinch, the iconic broadcaster, campaigner, and former senator, who passed away on Friday morning at the age of 82. Known universally as 'The Human Headline', Hinch led a life marked by fascinating contradictions – a staunch anti-establishment crusader who later became the nation's oldest senator, an animal justice advocate who famously enjoyed a good steak, and a heavy drinker whose personal health battle transformed him into a passionate champion for organ donation.

Hinch's half-century in the public eye was replete with memorable moments, controversies, and an unyielding commitment to causes he believed in, leaving an indelible mark on Australian media and political landscapes.

From Newsroom to Radio Wars

Derryn Hinch began his journalism career at just 15, cutting his teeth at The Taranaki Herald in his native New Zealand in 1960. He soon crossed the Tasman, joining the now-defunct Sydney Sun newspaper as a police roundsman in his late teens. However, it was behind the microphone that Hinch truly found his voice, becoming a household name in Melbourne's vibrant talkback radio scene in the late 1970s.

His controversial style quickly garnered attention. Notably, then-Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser boycotted Hinch's program after 'The Human Headline' publicly sided with Fraser's political rival, Andrew Peacock. Facing stiff competition in the ratings, Hinch famously orchestrated a mock feud with popular television personality Bert Newton, affectionately known as 'Moonface'. Reflecting on this cunning strategy in 2021, Hinch recounted, "Bert Newton was the king of radio in Melbourne. It was a very clever move to take him on and the newspapers loved it." He added, "Bert was first in the ratings, I was eighth. But with that rivalry, the headlines were 'Hinch versus Newton, Newton versus Hinch', so anyone that was second to seventh didn't get a look in."

Courting Controversy and the Law

Hinch's career was frequently intertwined with legal battles, particularly his repeated flouting of contempt-of-court laws related to sex offenders. His convictions in this area were numerous, cementing his reputation as a journalist willing to challenge the judicial system for what he considered a greater public good.

In 1987, he was fined and sentenced to 12 days in jail for identifying paedophile Catholic priest Michael Glennon during a pending criminal trial. Years later, in 2011, Hinch served five months under home detention for breaching suppression orders concerning two other offenders. Despite the legal ramifications, his long-term lawyer, Nick Pullen, defended Hinch's actions. "He had a genuine reason for everything he did, whether it be in relation to the law or breaking embargoes or going ahead with stories that no other journalist would touch," Mr Pullen explained, expressing his respect for Hinch's unwavering conviction.

Personal Life and Pop Culture Cameos

Away from the microphone and courtrooms, Hinch's personal life also drew significant public attention. He was married four times, including to acclaimed actress Jacki Weaver, whom he first wed in 1983. Though they separated in the following decade, they later reunited and renewed their vows. Hinch also shared a high-profile relationship with actor and animal rights activist Lynda Stoner, who remained his partner at the time of his death.

Australian music fans might recall a fun fact from Hinch's life: both he and Jacki Weaver appeared in the iconic music video for John Farnham's 1986 smash-hit, 'You're the Voice'. Hinch and Weaver maintained a friendship long after their final separation, with the broadcaster taking immense pride in Weaver's later Hollywood success, including her role alongside Robert De Niro in 'Silver Linings Playbook'.

The 'Shame, Shame, Shame' Phenomenon

One of Hinch's most enduring, yet ironically unuttered, catchphrases was 'shame, shame, shame'. This iconic phrase was actually invented and popularised by comedian Steve Vizard, who famously parodied Hinch as 'Derryn Hunch' in a series of sketches on the popular television comedy 'Fast Forward'.

Vizard recounted how the phrase became synonymous with Hinch, despite the broadcaster never actually saying it. "We literally invented that [on Fast Forward]. It became his catchphrase that people associated with him," Vizard shared. He also recalled their shared time at Channel Seven, highlighting Hinch's undeniable presence across all media. "He was one of the biggest names in newspapers. Then he became one of the biggest names in radio, and then television," Vizard noted. "Like him or no, polarising no doubt. But you couldn't ignore him."

A Brief Stint in Daytime Television

In the mid-1990s, Hinch attempted to translate his media prowess to daytime television, taking over the reins of Channel Nine's 'Midday Show' from Ray Martin in 1994. While the program had been a national pastime under predecessors like Mike Walsh and Martin, Hinch's switch from nightly tabloid journalism to daytime vaudeville proved to be one of his great career misfires. Despite attracting big names, including his friend John Farnham, his tenure as host lasted only one year.

Beyond the Microphone: The Scrabble Swami

By the late 1990s, Hinch shifted his focus to writing, becoming a prolific author. He penned several autobiographies, including 'Human Headlines', 'A Human Deadline', and 'Hinch: How I Hit the Wall and Didn't Bleed'. Yet, surprisingly, his best-selling books were guides to the board game Scrabble, which sold remarkably well to word enthusiasts globally. One of his last published works was 'Winning Wordle', a testament to his enduring love for linguistic games, which he played with gusto until his final days.

Waltzing Back into the Limelight

Hinch's career experienced a unique resurgence in 2005 when he appeared on the Seven Network's popular reality competition, 'Dancing With The Stars'. Dressed in flamboyant outfits, Hinch and his dance partner Patrice Smith competed in the show's second series. Despite facing off against high-profile personalities like Olympian Steven Bradbury, they were eliminated before the grand final, but his appearance undoubtedly brought him back into the public conversation.

Health Battles and Organ Donation Advocacy

The hedonistic 1980s, a period of free-flowing radio advertising revenue, also saw Hinch openly embrace a lifestyle that included heavy drinking. He often boasted of his 'liquid lunches' during his talkback radio prime. This lifestyle, however, took a severe toll on his health, leading to a diagnosis of advanced cirrhosis of the liver in 2007.

Ever the open book, Hinch candidly documented his declining health and his life-saving liver transplant operation in July 2011 through a series of public reports. This personal ordeal transformed him into a passionate public champion for organ donation. While his advocacy was widely lauded, revelations that he had resumed drinking briefly erupted into a public spat with an ex-lover in 2016.

Posthumous Pronouncements and Political Ascent

Hinch's penchant for controversy extended to his pronouncements following the deaths of public figures. His comments shortly after the passing of cricket star David Hookes in 2004, and television icon Graham Kennedy in 2005, caused considerable distress to their families and friends. After Hookes' death in a brawl, Hinch controversially claimed Hookes had separated from his wife and was with a girlfriend. A year later, Hinch inaccurately claimed Kennedy had died of AIDS, a false assertion that Vizard specifically referenced as one of Hinch's "outrageous missteps," noting Kennedy had died of pneumonia.

Despite — or perhaps because of — his polarising nature, Hinch's desire to enact change led him to politics. Famous for declaring he never would, the 'anti-politician' campaigned fiercely and was elected to the Australian Senate, taking office in 2016. In doing so, Derryn Hinch made history as the oldest person ever to be elected to the Australian Senate, completing a half-term and demonstrating that his crusading spirit found a final, impactful outlet in the halls of Parliament.