A Life in Stories: An Interview with Journalist Doug Conway
After more than fifty years as a journalist — from the frontlines of global news to the hallways of Trinity Grammar — Doug Conway is closing his notebook. In this conversation with John Blois, he reflects on a life spent chasing stories, the lessons he’s learned along the way, and what retirement has in store.
Looking Back on a Lifetime in Journalism
J: Doug, this week marks your final days at Trinity Grammar after an incredible career in journalism. How does it feel to be stepping away?
D: I feel very nostalgic. When I look back over more than half a century in journalism, it’s hard not to get emotional. It’s been a wonderful journey filled with people, stories, and experiences I’ll never forget. There’s a sadness to it, of course — but also gratitude.
On Retirement and New Beginnings
J: Are you thinking of this as the end of your career?
D: Yes, this really is the end of my official paid work as a journalist. I might do some freelance projects or even write a book, but my career as a full-time journalist began when I was seventeen — and this feels like the natural close to that chapter.
J: How did your time at Trinity fit into that long career?
D: Honestly, I never imagined I’d work for a school, but it turned out to be a blessing. It let me keep doing journalism in a completely new setting. The people here made it interesting and fun. That’s what matters most — the people.
Favourite Stories and Interviews
J: Across all those years, what’s a story that stands out for you?
D: One that comes to mind is a feature I wrote on Dr Glenn Singleman — the extreme-sports doctor who flies off mountains in a wingsuit. He’s an incredible mix of scientist and thrill-seeker, but he never does anything without intense preparation. He taught me a lot about the difference between risk and recklessness.
J: You’ve written hundreds of interviews. Do you have a favourite?
D: Interviewing our headmaster, Tim Bowden, for his five-year anniversary at Trinity was a memorable one. He shared his Year 11 report card, which described him as one of the school’s “most underachieving boys.” It was a generous and human moment — a reminder of how people grow.
Breaking the Story of the Last Anzac
J: What about the most memorable story of your whole career?
D: That would be the story of the last Anzac. I tracked down Ted Matthews, the final surviving Australian soldier who landed at Gallipoli on day one. He turned one hundred on Armistice Day — you couldn’t script it better. The story went front page nationwide, and Prime Minister John Howard even paid tribute to him in Parliament.
J: That’s remarkable. What made that story special for you?
D: Gallipoli is at the heart of Australia’s identity. To meet someone who was actually there — an ordinary bloke with an extraordinary life — was deeply moving. He was proud but humble, and like most soldiers I’ve met, he hated war. They didn’t choose it; they just did their best to serve.
World Cups, Icons and Adventures
J: You’ve covered so many major events. Was there a particular highlight?
D: Without a doubt — the 2006 World Cup in Germany. It was the first time Australia had qualified in 32 years. I was AAP’s senior correspondent, covering front-page stories while my colleague handled the sport-specific pieces. Everything about it was perfect — the football, the atmosphere, even the beer! I couldn’t have imagined a better job.
J: And your favourite interview outside the newsroom?
D: Talking with Evonne Goolagong Cawley was a real privilege. She brought along the first tennis racket her father carved for her out of an apple crate, and the one she later used to win Wimbledon. She told me how her mother never said “I hope you win” — only “Have a good time.” That philosophy stayed with me.
Beginnings and Lessons Learned
J: What inspired you to become a writer in the first place?
D: I remember it clearly. I was seventeen, reading the Melbourne Herald when I realised that a real person — an Australian — was writing that story from Tokyo. I thought, “That sounds like something I’d love to do.” Soon after, I joined the Nunawading Gazette as a cadet.
J: Do you remember your first story?
D: I do. I was sent to cover a local youth club. I wrote the headline “Nunawading youths are hanging around bars three nights a week unsupervised” — of course, it was about gymnastic bars, not pubs! The editor printed it, and I cheekily asked, “If it’s good enough to publish, isn’t it good enough to give me a job?” He hired me soon after.
Advice for Aspiring Journalists
J: What advice would you give to someone just starting out in journalism?
D: Be curious. Curiosity is everything. And be adaptable — journalism will take you to unpredictable places. You have to be ready for that, trust your instincts, and keep learning.
J: What’s the most uncomfortable or dangerous situation you’ve faced?
D: Probably flying out of Baghdad in Iraq. There was a huge orange flash outside my window, and I thought, “This is it.” Later I learned it was one of our aircraft’s flares to divert heat-seeking missiles. I told the captain afterward, “That’s fascinating — but I’d have loved to know that before take-off.”
Books, Legacy and What’s Next
J: Do you have a book that’s influenced you deeply?
D: The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series by Alexander McCall Smith. They’re gentle, moral stories that make you feel good about being an ordinary person trying to do the right thing.
J: And will we ever see a book by Doug Conway?
D: I hope so. I’d like to write something for young journalists — lessons I’ve learned from the road. Whether it ever gets published is another question, but even writing it would be worthwhile.
J: So what does retirement look like for you?
D: Busy! The happiest retirees are the ones who stay active. I’ll be playing squash, golf, and tennis, travelling with my wife Peta, spending time with family, and enjoying life at a slower pace. I think it’ll be wonderful.
J: Doug, thank you for sharing your story — and congratulations on an extraordinary career.
D: Thank you, John. It’s been a pleasure — and quite a ride.