Last newsreel cameraman dies

Australia's last fully-employed newsreel cinema cameraman Kevin Roche, a former Pearl Beach resident, has died.

The 79 year-old passed away at Wyong Hospital on August 13 after a long illness.

Family friend Ms Diana Johnston from Umina said old-time cinema lovers would be saddened by the passing of Mr Roche.

"If the name Kevin Roche is not known, many would have his work etched into their memories," Ms Johnston said.

"Before we all had television, everyone loved Saturday night at the picture theatre.

"There as you were seated, the lights were dimmed and the music heralded the Cinesound and Movie Tone News.

"Kevin was the cameraman who shot the scenes that we all would have viewed.

"Many of the events he filmed were to become a part of history."

Ms Johnston said that with the advent of television, newsreels in cinemas were becoming a thing of the past.

"This was seen when Cinesound and Movietone merged in 1972," Ms Johnston said.

"Kevin went to the Movietone production side where he shot news as well as short magazine stories.

"Some events that he covered in the early years were games of Rugby League.

"He was very happy to cover Rugby League, as it was his great love.

"He also covered Australian Rules Football grand finals, the Bathurst car race, the Melbourne Cup."

Ms Johnston said Mr Roche then went on to documentary work.

"One of his documentaries was Roche Chemicals."

Another, His Own Kind of Dignity was shot for theatre and television release.

"Two documentaries for Phillips Industries followed."

He then worked on "500 Miles in the Saddle, about a horse endurance race from Berrima to Melbourne.

"Then Kevin and Sid Woods, also a documentary maker, made two Army films - A Man and his Dog and another one about explosives."

When Movietone ceased production, Kevin was the last fully-employed cameraman.

"As Kevin became known for his outstanding cinematography work and with the event of television, it was Channels 7's good fortune to secure his services in 1981.

"He covered many major world events.

"His coverage of the Gulf War on the evening news all would remember.

"His work was outstanding and he set the benchmark for future cameramen.

"Arriving home from the Gulf War zone, ill health started to plague him and he retired in 1994. "His work is held in the film archives in Canberra.

"He may be gone, but his work will live on for all to see."

Email, 19 Aug 2008 Diana Johnston, Umina www.cinematographer.org.au