Obituaries Australia

The Director of the Australian News and Information Bureau, Mr Kevin Murphy, died in Canberra Hospital yesterday at the age of 56.

Mr Murphy was admitted to the hospital on May 6, after he suffered a heart attack.

A resident of Canberra since 1941, except for four years in London, he was widely known in official, diplomatic and sporting circles. He was a member of the Canberra Club and the Canberra South Bowling Club, and was interested in swimming, tennis and Australian Rules football.

Born in Melbourne, Mr Mr Murphy Murphy was educated at St Patrick's College and Melbourne University. After graduating in Arts in 1933 he joined the editorial staff of the Melbourne Herald and in 1941 came to Canberra as editor for the Department of Information. He rose to be Director-General in 1948 and in 1950 went to London as Director of the News and Information Bureau there.

On his return to Canberra in 1954, Mr Murphy became Director of the bureau. He was also chairman of the Australian National Film Board and a member of the Australian Road Safety Council and Australian Tourist Commission.

Mr Murphy leaves a widow, two sons by his first wife who died in 1958, and a daughter. A brother, Mr Hugh Murphy, is editor of the News and Information Bureau and his eldest son, Paul, is a journalist with the ABC.

Mr Murphy's funeral will take place at the Norwood Park Crematorium at noon tomorrow.