The journalist Adele Horin has died a week after revealing the lung cancer she had previously been treated for had “raged back”.
Horin, 64, covered social issues for the Sydney Morning Herald for 18 years until 2013.
She had been diagnosed with lung cancer in 2014 and undergone surgery and chemotherapy, revealing on her blog the cancer had returned and “the prognosis is poor”.
Fairfax Media reported on Sunday that Horin had died.
She won a Walkley award in 1981 for a series of article in the National Times about sex in Australia, and two Human Rights Commission prizes, the latter for a 2011 series on the abuse and neglect suffered by people with disabilities in boarding houses.
In her blog post on 15 November Horin attributed her success to intelligence and hard work, but said luck – in being born a baby boomer, in her education, and her career, parents and relationships – stood out as “the queen of the trifecta”.
“I’ve been lucky in having a fulfilling career in journalism and when that finished to have started a blog which has brought me so close to many readers in a way I’ve not experienced before,” she wrote.
“I hope you have enjoyed this exploration of ageing with me. But dear readers, my luck has run out. I’m not going to be one of those feisty octogenarians I so admired.
“I want to say it’s unfair. I never smoked; I’ve been too much the ‘good girl’ all my life. But the lung cancer detected in 2014, operated on and treated with chemotherapy, has raged back. The prognosis is poor. I hope for miracles and I look at Clive James with hope. Whatever happens, I’ve been so lucky.”
On Sunday the Sydney Morning Herald editor-in-chief, Darren Goodsir, said: “At a time when so much journalism is reduced to black and white, Adele’s considered and caring approach to storytelling reminded us of the power of balance, nuance and depth in reporting.
“She will be greatly missed but her spirit will continue to be honoured at the Herald.”
Friends, colleagues and fans also paid tribute to Horin on social media.
.@AdeleHorin was also one of the founding team member of @RNLifeMatters @RadioNational ..many RN colleagues will be left bereft by her loss.
— Natasha Mitchell (@natashamitchell) November 22, 2015
Rest is peace, Adele. Your wonderful journey is at an end @AdeleHorin Dear reader, my luck has run out https://t.co/OTu7EU4Akj
— Kate McClymont (@Kate_McClymont) November 22, 2015
Sympathies to friends, family and colleagues of @AdeleHorin Admired her work very much. A great advocate for the often voiceless. Vale.
— Wendy Harmer (@wendy_harmer) November 22, 2015
Sad news, excellent journo whose stuff made a difference. RIP. #adelehorin https://t.co/Dxz9Vv9m7b
— Rohan Connolly (@rohan_connolly) November 22, 2015
Adele Horin - such a good journalist and an even better human being. An example to everyone in our trade.
— Michelle Grattan (@michellegrattan) November 22, 2015
For two years I sat next to Adele Horin. Compassionate yes. But hard-nosed as any I've met. Merciless on vested interests and bureaucracy
— Linton Besser (@lb_online) November 22, 2015
She is survived by her two sons and partner of 30 years.
