Former Centralian Advocate editor Steve Menzies dies in Alice Springs

The death of a stalwart of the Alice Springs media and sporting communities has been described as ‘a great loss’ after impacting so many lives. Read the tributes.

Steve Menzies is being remembered by the Alice Springs community for the impact he had on both media and sports.

A former Centralian Advocate journalist and sports enthusiast has died after a long battle with illness.

Steve Menzies died in Alice Springs on Wednesday, aged 69.

Mr Menzies was born in Adelaide and began his journalism career in Whyalla before moving to Alice Springs and taking over the sports round in 1986.

He stayed at the publication until it finished as a print product in 2020.

Writing in that final edition, Mr Menzies recounted an opportunity presented to him at work that had a “major impact” on his life.

“An invitation to the launch of an NT government event came into the office and passed down the line with no one taking up the offer until it reached me and I was told to go along to represent the Advocate,” he wrote.

Steve Menzies looks over the last run of the Centralian Advocates printing press. A veteran employee of 26 years Menzies arrived four years before the press was installed. The Advocate will now be published in Darwin.

“It was for the Alice Springs Masters Games and the rest is history. I have been involved in all 17 Games to date, either reporting on the Games or playing basketball, cricket and hockey — a sport I was coerced into after arriving in Alice Springs.

“But the thing about all the Games has been meeting the people involved whether sports participants or officials.”

After spending the latter half of his life in the town, Mr Menzies continued his legacy and impact long after leaving the Advocate.

“I’m staying in Alice. It is a wonderful town and I am so grateful for all that it has offered my life,” he wrote.

His older brother Campbell said the family had recently all reunited in Alice Springs ahead of Mr Menzies’ 70th birthday.

Steve Menzies with former Centralian Advocate staffers Carmel Sears and Paul Urban.

He described his younger brother’s passing as a “a great loss”.

“We grew up together and did a lot of things together,” Campbell said.

“He’s a great loss but he was a pretty good fighter right til the end, taking advantage of every moment.”

Campbell said his health issues began in 2020 but didn’t stop him from attending netball matches and handing out trophies.

He said plans for a funeral were still being finalised but expected they would “fill out a church”.

“He made a difference in so many people’s lives,” he said.

Centralian Advocate journalist Steve Menzies was inducted into the Desert Sports Foundation League of Champions at the Alice Springs Golf Club. Picture: Justin Raymond

The Alice Springs Netball Association penned an emotional tribute to the life member on Thursday.

“Steve was a much-loved member of Alice Springs Sporting Community and of the netball community more specifically. Steve’s contribution to Alice Springs Netball and its community are invaluable,” a post on Facebook said.

“Steve’s association with the Alice Springs Netball Association began through providing media coverage of the association and it never stopped.

“He continued to promote the game through various forms of media until as recently as 2022.

“Steve, on behalf of the Alice Springs Netball Community thank you for your friendship and being the sounding board that so many of us needed.”