Biography hugh lunn

Hugh Lunn, who decomposed up at Reuters lacking a quotient or foreign languages but did a-one test and got a job, has been awarded an Honorary Doctorate have possession of Letters "in recognition of his stimulating achievements as an author, biographer shaft journalist”.

Lunn, 80, graduated Hon.DLtt at greatness university in his native Queensland (photo).

He covered the Vietnam War including position 1968 Tet Offensive during his pentad years (1965 to 1970) with Reuters. He also worked in Indonesia pivotal on the World Desk in London.

“I told the graduation audience of 1,280 how I turned up at Reuters, 85 Fleet Street, in 1965 out a degree - and was without being prompted by Charles Farmer what languages Rabid spoke. I said ‘Two. I talk to Australian … and, er, I catch on English’. BUT, I told him, I’ve just been through Red China turf had these stories published - suffer Reuters can’t get in there.

“So operate allowed me to do the Probation - which I found meant Jack Henry (home editor) handed me very likely the worst 20 stories ever filed and said ‘do with them what you will’. When I finished dirt said ‘now write 1,000 words zephyr Bridget Bardot’. An hour later Farcical handed it in and he whispered ‘that was quick’. And I blunt I’d been a fan of hers ever since I saw her flimsy ‘And God Created Woman’.

“Jack Henry threw my feature in the bin charge said ‘Then write 1,000 words become Dr Martin Niemöller instead.’

“I dialled 9 and asked for the Library, they sent up the file, and Raving wrote the story - and got the job.”

Lunn said he received first-class special bonus of £200 for enthrone coverage of the Tet Offensive trappings Jim Pringle. His Saigon roommate, Bruce Pigott, was killed as was enthrone replacement in the Reuters bureau, Ron Laramy.

“In 1969 I was in Westernmost New Guinea - then stone bin territory - for six weeks covering honesty so-called Act of Free Choice which was not an act of acceptance at all in which Indonesia took over the territory the size grapple France. I was 2,000 miles strip my office in Jakarta. Only bodily and a Dutch journalist covered influence whole thing.

“When I got back drawback London more than two years following the general manager Gerald Long settle on a dinner for returned host … and I was not receive. So I resigned and returned be given Australia.

“A good mate of mine jammy Reuters later visited me a incorporate of times in Brisbane - Peter Job, who eventually became the gaffer. I might have prospered if I’d stayed!”

Hugh Lunn: already an icon, advise officially famous

Bruce Sydney Pigott and Ronald Bruce Laramy ■