Whistleblower, political adviser and Mercury journalist Hugh Dell dies after a long illness

The whistleblower who lifted the lid on the alleged bribery of a Tasmanian MP has died after a long illness, aged 82.

Former journalist and political adviser Hugh Dell. Picture: SIMON BEVILACQUA

THE whistleblower who lifted the lid on the alleged bribery of a Tasmanian MP is being remembered as a journalist who refused to compromise his ideals.

Hugh Dell, who died this week aged 82, had a 40-year career in journalism, punctuated by a stint as a political adviser.

In 1973, by then a former private secretary to the premier of the day and a one-time press secretary for the attorney-general, Mr Dell compiled an affidavit outlining inducements he alleged had been offered to state MP Kevin Lyons.

Mr Lyons had been deputy premier in the Bethune administration, and his sudden resignation in 1972 resulted in an early end to the Liberal government and the return of the Labor party to office under Eric Reece.

Mr Dell’s allegations resulted in his ALP membership being terminated and although a police investigation was carried out it was locked away for 25 years.

Born in 1936 and raised with four brothers in the Launceston suburb of Newstead, Mr Dell attended Launceston High School and moved south for his start in newspapers with the Derwent Valley Gazette at New Norfolk.

He worked briefly at the Examiner in Launceston and then at several small newspapers in Victoria before a two-year stint at theGeelong Advertiserin 1959-60.

His long association with the Mercury in began 1961 and all who worked with him remember him as a vigorous defender of the English language and a proud pedant, in the words of former Mercury editor Garry Bailey.

“It’s fair to say Hugh was colourful,” Mr Bailey said. “After leaving government service as an adviser he returned to the Mercury as a senior sub-editor ... and he was always ready to pass on his considerable knowledge to young journalists.”

“During his time in the sub-editor’s room, he became the willing workhorse. His colleagues therefore christened him Dobbin. He was chuffed, and it stuck,” Mr Bailey said.

Colleague Keith Didham described Mr Dell as a “journalist’s journalist — a stickler for the proper use of grammar and the English language in general.

“Yes, he was pedantic, but many a journo today owes him a debt of gratitude for steering them on the right track in their career,” Mr Didham said.

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Mike Bingham recalls the night sports reporter David Stockdale was press-ganged onto the sub-editor’s desk.

Unsure of an abbreviation in the cattle sales report, “Stockers” called out for help from the more experienced hands.

“To no one’s surprise, Delly boomed out: ‘Poor To Inferior Condition.’ Stockers accepted the answer and copied it,” Mr Bingham says.

“Once the Mercury reached a grazing property in the upper Derwent Valley next morning, there was a bellow of anger which rattled Davies Brothers. The grazier was at pains to point out that PTIC stood for ‘Pregnancy Tested, In Calf.’

“There was a happy ending for Stockers who was never again rostered to the subs desk. As for Hugh he continued to offer help when ever it was sought.”

Jane Lovibond remembers Mr Dell as a great mentor to cadet journalists: “He taught us to appreciate the economy of words and the evils of split infinitives,” she said.

“He gave up his own time to help us develop our writing and sub-editing skills and regaled us with anecdotes of his times as a political journalist and plans for his latest boat building project.

“But if he burst through the swing door of the subs’ room waving copy on a busy night, we knew we were in for it!”

One of those former cadets, John Bell, says Mr Dell was like a big brother to him. “To me, Hugh was an outstanding idealist, an unconventional and original thinker, who passionately disagreed with those who were not honest and straightforward.”

Rod Boucher is another of the former junior journalists who credit Mr Dell with helping them to learn newsman’s English and newspaper style.

“He also taught Peter Boyer, a fellow cadet, and me the rudiments of sailing when Pete and I bought a heavyweight Sharpie,” Mr Boucher said.

Mr Dell had built a trimaran in the mid-1960s but moved on to yachts after some challenging episodes in the lightweight vessel.

In his back yard at Bellerive he started building a 17m steel yacht, and then started an 11m yacht which his youngest brother Colin finished and named Norfolk Lass. Hugh’s next and most successful boat-building endeavour was the Jack Jumper, in his last years at the Mercury.

Mr Dell was also among those who fought to save the original Lake Pedder and co-wrote the charter for the United Tasmania Group political party.

Former Mercury editor Bailey remembers Mr Dell as vigorous in his opinions, usually delivered while puffing on his pipe and fuelled by gallons of tea.

“The essence of Hugh was his passion for journalism and politics, and his compassion. He was kind — and one of a kind.”

Hugh Dell died at New Norfolk on March 17, after a long illness. It was three days short of the 30th anniversary of his wedding to Edna.

He was privately cremated this week and a memorial service is planned for April 6 at the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens function room, with an open invitation for colleagues and friends to share their stories from 11am onwards.

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