NSW: Former Mercury editor Peter Cullen dies

AAP General News (Australia)
12-28-2000
NSW: Former Mercury editor Peter Cullen dies

Australian journalism has lost one of its most colourful characters with the death
of former Illawarra Mercury editor PETER CULLEN.

Mr CULLEN died today after a massive heart attack at his Woonona home, just north of Wollongong.

One of the last of the old-fashioned crusading journalists, the 61-year-old led a number
of campaigns that gained him national prominence.

He fought passionately against paedophilia, and in 1993 published stories exposing
two prominent Wollongong Catholic clergymen who'd been abusing young boys.

Mr Cullen's crusade also led him into a long conflict with another accused paedophile,
former Wollongong Lord Mayor and State MP FRANK ARKELL.

Their conflict only ended with Mr ARKELL'S murder in his Wollongong home in June, 1998.

Mr CULLEN retired just six weeks later.

Mr ARKELL'S murderer MARK VALERA was jailed for life two weeks ago.

Mr CULLEN also had a running battle with ABC Media Watch's former host STUART LITTLEMORE
- with the pair trading barbs in a running battle.

Current Mercury editor NICK HARTGERINK described Mr CULLEN as a fearless journalist,
who was often misunderstood.

Mr CULLEN is survived by his wife JANINE, son MATTHEW and daughter JULIA.

AAP RTV str/sb/evt

KEYWORD: CULLEN (SYDNEY)

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