David Leckie has been posthumously appointed the Order of Australia (AM) in the Queen's Birthday Honour list for 2022.
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David resided in Robertson until his death in July 2021.
His wife Skye Leckie OAM said she was thrilled for her late husband but also sad that he wasn't here to accept it.
"I think he'd be very honoured. It's something I don't think he ever in a million years thought he would receive. So it's exciting for our family."
Skye said the award came out of the left field.
"It's quite emotional," she said.
"He would be honoured as we are and as is his father, who turned 100 in April this year, who's still with us.
"It's very appropriate because he passed away on July 20, 2021. So it's very timely that we've got through the first year.
"It's an anniversary, and he gets his award. It's not as sad as it could be because it's a wonderful way of honouring him."
Skye described her late husband as a "larger than life character."
"To take two networks (Channel Nine and Seve) to number one is a pretty huge achievement, and over time he sort of changed people's viewing habits," she said.
"He was always determined that people could have their news and sport for free. He commissioned a lot of amazing Australian television dramas that have stood the test of time.
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"He was a brash man who very much spoke his mind. But he encouraged and nurtured people in the two networks to be the best they could be.
"I think he would say that, despite everything, he brought good teams together and gave them the ability to work well for themselves and be proud of the work that we're doing."
Despite his TV success, Skye said David's greatest achievement were his sons.
David Leckie was the CEO of Seven until 2010, then Seven West Media until 2012, before becoming an adviser and leaving the company in 2016.
Before Seven, he led the Nine Network from 1990 to 2001.
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Vera Demertzis
Journalist at the Southern Highland News covering council yarns and community news. Got a tip or a story to tell? Email vera.demertzis@southernhighlandnews.com.au or call on 0427 250 908.
Journalist at the Southern Highland News covering council yarns and community news. Got a tip or a story to tell? Email vera.demertzis@southernhighlandnews.com.au or call on 0427 250 908.
