Mal Walden
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Mal Walden is a veteran Australian journalist and television presenter based in Melbourne. He was born on May 20, 1945.
Quick Facts
- Birth Date
- 20 Mar, 1945
- Age
- 75 yrs
- Occupations
- Journalist
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- Citizenship
- Australia
- Birth Place
- Melbourne
- Education
- Mentone Grammar School
- Gender
- Male
- Description
- Australian broadcaster
- Twitter Id
- MalWalden10
Personal Life
Walden is married to Pauline Durham, who previously worked in the programming department at HSV-7. The couple has twins, a daughter named Sarah and a son named James. In his free time, Walden enjoys gardening, playing golf, and fishing—interests that reflect his love of the outdoors and relaxation.
Broadcasting Career
Mal Walden's career in broadcasting began in radio before transitioning to television. In 1970, he started as a reporter at 3DB, a Melbourne-based radio station. Later that year, he moved to its sister company, HSV-7, marking the start of a long and impactful television career.
One of his early significant assignments included reporting from Darwin in the aftermath of Cyclone Tracy, which devastated the city on December 25, 1974. This opportunity showcased his capability to cover major events with professionalism and depth.
Rise as a News Presenter
In 1979, Walden was appointed senior news presenter at HSV-7, replacing the highly regarded Brian Naylor, who had moved to GTV-9. This role placed Walden at the forefront of broadcast journalism in Victoria, cementing his place in the industry.
On March 27, 1987, following HSV-7’s acquisition by the Fairfax Group, Walden was unexpectedly dismissed just minutes before he was scheduled to go on air. Describing the incident as abrupt, Walden regrouped and within a month joined the Eyewitness News team at ATV-10 (now Network Ten).
Ten Eyewitness News and Later Years
At ATV-10, Walden served as a news presenter and reporter, contributing significantly to the station’s human interest stories and special broadcasts. His on-air work included coverage of major events and feature programs such as the 30th anniversary of ATV-10 and the Young Australian of the Year awards.
Initially working as a weekend presenter, Walden later became the weeknight news anchor. In 1996, he assumed the role of senior news presenter after David Johnston returned to HSV-7. Walden continued in this lead position until his retirement from Network Ten in 2013, concluding a distinguished 40-year career in Australian television journalism.
