Peter Hitchener born 21 February 1946Peter Hitchener is an Australian television presenter. He has been chief newsreader for Melbourne's edition of National Nine News since 1998, and prior to that was weekend newsreader.
Originally from rural Queensland, Hitchener began his media career as a journalist and presenter in 1965 at the Brisbane 4BH radio station, before moving on to ABC Brisbane where he undertook roles as a television and radio presenter. Still at the ABC, he moved to Sydney in 1973 where he was a relief presenter for evening news presenter James Dibble.
Hitchener moved to Channel Nine after one year at ABC Sydney, presenting National Nine News first in Sydney and then in Melbourne. In 1977, Hitchener began hosting the breakfast show on 3AW before moving to 3AK in 1979. At about this time, Hitchener also became chief weekend newsreader and understudy to first-choice newsreader Brian Naylor, until Naylor retired in 1998.
Since then, Hitchener has presented Nine's evening news broadcasts on weeknights and has become one of Melbourne's most respected newsreaders. Hitchener has become one of the most respected newsreaders in Victoria.
In addition to his television presenting, Hitchener is also an avid patron for the Deaf Blind Society of Victoria and a guest speaker for many charity and community events held across Melbourne.
In April 2008, he revealed that he is gay in an interview with a Melbourne newspaper.