Peter Wilkins
Peter is the definitive all-rounder in sports broadcasting terms with an unbridled passion which is reflected in many of his commentaries across the years. He has predominantly worked for the national broadcaster for the last 30 years as a presenter, commentator and reporter in both television and radio
Peter hosted two world cup soccer finals for ABC TV in 1982 and 1986, was ABC’s chief rugby league commentator for 9 years from 1992 –2000 and represented ABC radio as a commentator at the Sydney Olympics. He describes the radio broadcast of the Socceroos qualification for the 2006 World Cup as a ‘career highlight’.
‘Wilko’ was part of the ABC’s flagship sports/entertainment programs called ‘The Fat”, which earned high ratings and rave reviews and he was nominated for ‘best new talent’ at the Logies. He’s also been the national sports face of the 7pm news bulletin and made contributions to the ABC’S current affairs benchmarks, the 7.30 Report and Lateline. Peter is also a regular columnist for the Illawarra Mercury newspaper.
Peter has commentated innumerable sports across his career including cricket, tennis, golf, soccer, rugby league, rugby union, hockey and a plethora of Olympic sports. He was a regular member of ABCTV’s Hopman Cup tennis coverage for eight years
‘Wilko’ has been to three Paralympic games.” He commentated on cycling; rowing and wheelchair rugby for ABC TV’s much heralded coverage of the 2008 Paralympics in Beijing and has represented the ABC on several Kangaroo rugby league tours of England and France and the World Cup Soccer tournaments in Germany 2006 and South Africa 2010. He also gave the commentary of Australia’s historic Asian Cup women’s football triumph for ABCTV in 2010.
In 2008 Peter published his first book entitled “Don’t Rock the Boat” - the inside story of the Australian women’s eight at the Athens Olympics and its emotional postscript. Peter subsequently won a Walkley award for journalistic excellence for ABC TV’s Australian Story based on the book. The program also collected an Australian Sports Commission award. Peter also received a high commendation at the same 2008 awards for his “Contribution to Australian Sport by an Individual”. In 1985 Peter won the Sydney Turf club award for best story on the Golden Slipper The prize…Two weeks in the United States visiting the Kentucky Derby.
Peter is currently the national sports correspondent for ABC TV News and Current affairs and News 24. He is chief commentator for the W-League women’s football for ABCTV Sport.
Peter is married to Susie and has two children, Billy and Jacqueline. He loves golf, the guitar, surfing and horses in no particular order.