The first Secretary of Save Our SBS, Darce Cassidy (pictured), died this week.
‘Darce’ as he was affectionately known, was instrumental in transforming Save Our SBS from an unincorporated club to an incorporated association; this enabled Save Our SBS to operate as a legal entity.
Darce first became known to Save Our SBS in August 2007, when he wrote a lengthy comment about the impact of advertising on SBS. Six months later and having made personal contact, Darce took up the honorary position of Secretary of the Association. He was the public officer and spokesperson for a period too.
Over the ensuring years, Darce wrote media releases, various articles, and submissions to government for Save Our SBS. He initiated The SBS Must Be Special project which received wide public acclaim.
On occasion, Darce also wrote for On Line Opinion.
In 2011 Darce was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.
He was an Maoist, ABC broadcaster and later manager for ABC South Australia, and led the takeover of the old ABC Staff Association from the Groupers in Melbourne in 1982. Amongst Darce’s many claims to fame was the radio program he made of the 1965 Freedom Ride which he went on. It took years for the ABC to broadcast it and then it became one of its most repeated programs. He was also a gifted photographer.
In his earlier days, Darce studied law and had a great sense of justice. He was always concerned about the plight of those not so fortunate, and marginalised communities.
After leaving the ABC, Darce took a keen interest in multicultural broadcasting and volunteered his time at the National Ethnic and Multicultural Broadcasters’ Council and Radio 3ZZZ in Melbourne. His dedication to multicultural broadcasting and passion for SBS – as it then was – led him to joining Save Our SBS.
When Darce passed away last Monday night he was surrounded by family.
Darce leaves behind his wife Jan Smith, son Michael and daughter Anna (whom he had with Julie Rigg).
