RADIO 2RE MAX FM employees and listeners were shocked this week with news of the death of popular broadcaster, Craig "The Diceman" Huth.
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Craig, 47, had been with the station for more than nine years. Originally from Bundaberg he worked in radio first in Darwin before moving to Wangaratta, Deniliquin and Moree and then Taree.
2RE general manager Murray Nelson described Craig as a great worker for the community. He was perhaps best known as the driving force behind 2RE's Christmas Train that raised more than $200,000 in five years for the children's ward at Manning Hospital as well as retirement homes in the area.
"But he did a lot of work for the community that many people didn't know about,'' Mr Nelson said.
"He could run a fashion parade for five year olds in the morning and spend the afternoon speaking to residents at a nursing home. He was gregarious and comfortable in anyone's company.''
Craig twice stood unsuccessfully for Greater Taree City Council and was also a One Nation candidate at the last federal election.
He created what is believed to be a first for radio when he organised to have 10 students from Chatham Public School speak to Commander Mike Finke on board the international space station via a telebridge from Goddard Space.
Craig was also the first regional broadcaster to go live from Parliament House in Sydney, where he interviewed then Premier Barry O'Farrell among others.
He also interviewed Prime Ministers and government ministers at State and federal level.
He was nominated for major awards in radio, including three categories in 2010.
Craig suffered a stroke early last week and was transported to Royal North Shore Hospital, where he died early on Monday morning. He is survived by his partner, Christine and two children along with his parents and siblings.
No funeral arrangements had been announced at the time of going to press.