Special Kingsmen Journalists

Murray was born and raised in Dunedin. He spent four years at King’s High School from 1948 to 1951.  He passed School Certificate in 1950 and University Entrance in 1951. Murray has been a long-time member of the King’s High School Old Boys Association. His son David said that “He always enjoyed receiving his latest edition of The Kingsmen newsletter.”

He left New Zealand to pursue his dream of becoming a journalist, working first in London, UK, before moving to the Moose Jaw Times-Herald in Canada. It was there he met Elizabeth, his wife of 64 years. He raised his family in Ontario where he worked at the St. Catharine’s Standard, and then in Toronto at the Globe and Mail. His professional roving finally stopped in Winnipeg where he was Managing Editor of the Winnipeg Free Press from 1979 to 1990. He retired to his family cottage by a lake in Kenora, Ontario but never gave up writing, devoting much time to another passion: His book “Winnipeg’s Ladies from Hell” (2010) focused on the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders.

In his 90 years, Murray was a prolific writer, an old school journalist, and an active member of the Commonwealth Journalists’ Association. Murray was an advocate for the rights of journalists throughout the world, he believed strongly in the founding principles of the Commonwealth Journalists’ Association to fight for media freedom, and he was a role model for many young journalists.

He became the Association vice-president for the bits of North America and the Caribbean that claim Commonwealth status. The Commonwealth Journalists’ Association became his passion and he moved on to serve two presidential terms of the world-wide Commonwealth Journalists Association. While doing this he worked simultaneously as a volunteer board member for the Commonwealth Human Rights Commission.

Murray was one of the pillars of the Commonwealth Journalists’ Association always available to give wise advice and answer queries about the association and its background.  He was an inspiring presence at Commonwealth Journalists’ Association conferences and went out of his way to encourage and promote new members across the Commonwealth. His knowledge and breadth of experience were of special value.

Murray lived a good life, packed with travel, adventure and achievement.

He was much admired and respected.

Murray Burt passed away in Winnipeg, Canada on May 11, 2024, at the age of 90.