31 Mar 2023 – Australian radio legend Doug Mulray has died at the age of 71 after a long illness. He died peacefully yesterday with his long-time partner Lizzie and business partner Hamish Cameron by his side.
His passing leaves a rich and widely loved legacy. His irreverent breakfast show on Sydney’s Triple M broke new territory in Australian radio in the 80s and 90s. For more than a decade Sydney woke up to ‘Uncle Doug’ Mulray, with his rapid-fire quips, parodies and unbridled naughtiness that had morning driving commuters in stitches.
From the formative years of Triple M and FM radio, his show’s ratings share grew from 2.6% to over 18% thrusting Triple M into #1 status.
Uncle Doug Mulray at the radio Triple Jay 10th birthday party in 1985,
with Maurice Parker, Malcolm Lees, Vic Davies & friends.
© Mark Anning / 1EarthMedia photo 1985
Doug Mulray had a long and distinguished career in radio starting at 2AD in Armidale, then 2GO Gosford and 3AW Melbourne. He worked at 2JJ and Triple J before being lured to Triple M by radio mastermind Rod Muir.
This move to Triple M would change the Sydney FM radio market forever. He made several successful radio programs, but it was his love for the cut and thrust of breakfast radio that took him to the pinnacle of his career.
In 2019 Mulray was inducted into the Commercial Radio Hall of Fame, for his outstanding lifetime achievement and contribution to radio. Accepting the honour via video message, Mulray said:
“It’s nice to be included, to be inducted, I’ve never been inducted before, I hope it doesn’t hurt. I appreciate being remembered fondly by the industry. It’s a great pleasure and a great privilege.”
Doug Mulray
Doug Mulray was a very private man and since his retirement deliberately kept out of the limelight for the past twenty years.
His is survived by his partner Lizzie and children James, Rosie and Tom.
The family has asked that their privacy is respected at this time to deal with the fragility of their grief.
Doug’s last video – giving his Radio Hall of Fame acceptance speech can be seen here
Doug Mulray acceptance speech after his induction into the Commercial Radio Australia Hall of Fame. “Uncle Doug”, the legend behind one of Australian radio’s most celebrated and successful breakfast shows on Triple M Sydney, was recognised for his outstanding achievements and unique contribution to the industry in October 2019.
Issued on behalf of the Mulray family by : Stewart White FPRIA (Doug’s friend of more than forty years)
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