Brian Cahill
Brian John Cahill MBE (16 February 1931 – 8 March 2015) was an Australian broadcaster, teacher and politician. He began in radio and moved to television, becoming Brisbane’s first Channel 7 newsreader in 1959 and later anchoring news for Brisbane’s three commercial stations until 1982. He also taught English and history at St Joseph’s College, Gregory Terrace, from 1973 to 1980, then returned to the 4BC newsroom.
In politics, Cahill was elected as the National Party member for Aspley in the Queensland Parliament in 1983 and served until 1986, when he was narrowly disendorsed in an internal party dispute and retired. He later spent 15 years as Secretary of the Former Parliamentary Members Association in Queensland.
Cahill loved theatre. In 1984, with his wife Denise, he formed the Queensland Musical Theatre, where he was President and often a lead performer. He later returned to teaching at Wynnum State High School and continued acting and performing.
Born in Innisfail, Cahill studied at Cairns State High School and St Joseph’s College, Nudgee. He trained to be a teacher and began his career in far north Queensland before moving to Brisbane. He married Pamela Holmes in 1955 and later Denise in 1966.
He was awarded the MBE in 1980 for his service to the community and to radio and television. He died on 8 March 2015, survived by Denise, three children and two stepchildren.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 18:29 (CET).