Gold Coast radio legend Ian Cousins dies in Robina Hospital
A Gold Coast radio legend and prominent business figure is being remembered as a “true gentlemen” who was devoted to the community, as friends and family grapple with his death.
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A Gold Coast radio legend and prominent business figure is being remembered as a “true gentlemen” who was devoted to the community, as friends and family grapple with his death.
Former radio presenter Ian Cousins, also known as ‘Mr Media of the Gold Coast’, passed away on Thursday morning at Robina hospital.
It was understood Mr Cousins was battling with complications after a fall last year and had spent several months in hospital.
Mr Cousins’s best friend and fellow media figure Nick Scott said it was a dark day for the community but comforted himself knowing his mate was “at peace”.
“I can honestly say that I’ve never met anyone, man, woman or child that has said a bad word about Ian,” he said.
“His whole life was about people.”
Mr Cousins was survived by his wife Brenda and his two sons, Jordan and Elliott.
Mr Scott said he had worked with Mr Cousins for over a decade in the early 2000s and had created a “bond for life”.
“We spent many happy days at sea on cruises with our wives,” he said.
“We went to Alaska and Asia.”
91.4FM community radio station director Gary Field said: “To me and most people he’s been Mr Media of the Gold Coast. There is no doubt in the world about that.
“He goes right back to 4RO in Rockhampton, he started there. Then he came to the Gold Coast and built his way up. He worked at 4GG and was general manager of Radio 97 at the Tweed. And then he came on to Gold and SEA (FM).”
Mr Field said Mr Cousins was a foundation director of 94.1 and his weekend afternoon show had a cult following with Ian Counsin's Countdown, which looked at top 40 hits of the past few decades.
“Ian and I have known one another for many years, and he is a true gentleman. He is probably the most social character you would ever meet,” he said.
“Whenever you saw him he would want to have lunch with you. He was called Mr Lunch at one stage.”
Experienced Gold Coast media and communications consultant Wayne Hickson described Mr Cousins as a “true legend” in both the media and business world.
“Ian has had a 40-year plus media career. He was a real legend in Gold Coast radio,” he said.
“For 20 years he was president of the Gold Coast Business Awards, a totally voluntary position.
“He worked tirelessly for the betterment of Gold Coast businesses.”
On Thursday, former 4GG staffer Judith Ferber was taking telephone calls from other former colleagues recalling wonderful stories about Mr Cousins.
Ms Ferber started her career in radio at the popular station before launching the Gold Coast’s Tropicarnival and Eisteddfod, always crossing paths with Mr Cousins.
“I’m very saddened. Ian was part of the old 4GG family and was a very close friend – I’m deeply saddened by his passing,” Ms Ferber said.
“I’ve had a lot of phone calls from lots of 4GG staffers who have all got funny comments about Ian who was much loved and admired. Certainly for the Ferber family, he was part of our life.
“It’s not a shock, because Ian has been unwell for quite some time. But when the time comes it’s always deeply distressing.
“I was fortunate I was able to see him a few times over the past few weeks, and I’m grateful for that. I spoke to him often. He will be greatly missed.”
Originally published as Gold Coast radio legend Ian Cousins dies in Robina Hospital
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