A trailblazing Channel Nine newsreader has died, leaving behind a lasting legacy in the television industry.

Television news pioneer Penny Spence has died at the age of 83.

Spence was a pioneer in her industry with her status growing from the late 1960s.

She was one of the first women to read television news on Channel Nine in Australia.

The journalist presented the afternoon news for TCN9 in New South Wales with the renowned Brian Henderson presenting the evening bulletin.

Television pioneer Penny Spence died at the age of 83. Picture: NFSA
Television pioneer Penny Spence died at the age of 83. Picture: NFSA
Spence died earlier this month, with The National Film and Sound Archive of Australia (NFSA) confirming the sad news on social media.

“We’re saddened to hear of the passing of Penny Spence, a trailblazer in Australian television,” the statement read.

“Spence was part of a pioneering group of women who were the first women to read television news in Australia.”

Penny Spence was one of the first women to read television news on Channel Nine in Australia. Picture: Adam Ward
Penny Spence was one of the first women to read television news on Channel Nine in Australia. Picture: Adam Ward
Spence was the first wife of legendary Channel Nine musical director Geoff Harvey.

They had two daughters, Eugenie and Charlotte.

Harvey died in 2019, aged 83.

Spence worked across an array of roles at Nine as she fronted a women’s current affairs programme and presented the weather, all while making herself a familiar face across NSW.

Penny Spence was the first wife of legendary Channel Nine musical director Geoff Harvey. Picture: Supplied
Penny Spence was the first wife of legendary Channel Nine musical director Geoff Harvey. Picture: Supplied
She became a major force behind the cameras, establishing children’s programs at the network.

In 1969 she received a Logie Award for Most Popular Female Personality in NSW.

Her success expanded globally, serving as Executive Producer of the European Broadcasting Union’s children’s unit.

Spence managed the popular 1985 Ray Meagher mini-series Colour in the Creek.

Her legacy lives on through an array of produced work archived by the NFSA.

This included The Water Trolley (1988), which was nominated for an International Emmy, along with Shipmates (1987), Sovereign Hill (1990), and Hinkler: The Aviator (1990).