Story by Rhylea Thompson
It was the year of 1949 when the world was still reeling from the impacts of World War II and in the midst of The Cold War. Robert Menzies was the Prime Minister of Australia and George Orwell’s dystopian novel ‘1984’ was published. It was also the year John Higgins stepped foot into his first newsroom.
Young and curious, John started out as a cadet generalist, before moving up the ranks to journalist and eventually chief of staff at The Courier Mail. Entering stories into the teletype, John could barely see the words he was writing due to the small font size. Whether it was the adrenaline he felt from meeting the tight deadlines, breaking a scoop or writing about some of Australia’s most notorious criminals, John was hooked.
“I had a lingering desire to do journalism because it was interesting and novel to me, but I always liked to read and write too,” he said.
“The challenge of interviewing a person, finding something of value and sitting down to work out how to write the story were my favourite parts of the job.”
BREAKING NEWS: Seasons resident John Higgins reflects on his extensive career as a former Newscorp Journalist. Picture: Rhylea Thompson
During his extensive career, the veteran journalist travelled across the Sunshine State, country and even parts of the world covering major murder trials, Royal Commission reforms, healthcare and industrial actions.
When he was not reporting on the Bulloo Downs triple homicide or shocking conditions of children’s rural health, John was holding politicians to account and asking the tough questions.
“I always liked the stories that didn’t just happen for you,” he said.
“Obviously there are always going to be stories that are produced, but I enjoyed the ones I went searching for and found myself – the stories where you dig a little deeper and realise you’re onto something big.”
WEDDING BELLS: A heartfelt moment captured on the wedding day of Seasons residents John Higgins (right) and his late wife Teresa. Picture: Supplied
After going into semi-retirement, it was John’s late wife Teresa who finally convinced him to give up the gig for good in 1996. John reluctantly agreed and the pair escaped to Stanthorpe where they settled into country life. Eighteen years later, the couple moved into a Seasons community. Three years later, John’s wife sadly passed away.
“We had a very beautiful life together for 45 years,” he said.
“Teresa was a widow and I never had kids but my stepchildren and their children were always my family.”
LIFELONG LOVE: Seasons residents John Higgins (right) with his late wife Teresa. Picture: Supplied
Never losing his taste for writing and a telling a good story, John still has a typewriter and spends the majority of his time writing. The talented storyteller is also one of Seasons’ longest standing residents.
“I’m less of a journalist now and more of a writer,” he said.
“Since retiring I’ve developed a personal style of writing and I hope to continue with that… here I am still writing at 93!
“The thing I really like and appreciate about Seasons is that the care is here and I believe the people in this business do the very best for the residents.”
