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Beyond his contributions as a successful broadcast journalist and anchorman, Wally Macht is an accomplished documentary maker devoted to sharing and preserving the stories that distinguish our great community.
Originally from North Battleford, Saskatchewan, Mr. Macht’s talents as a news reporter were recognized early on in his career. He progressed through a series radio and television posts across the country, working in Moose Jaw, Winnipeg and Toronto before joining CHEX TV in Peterborough. For many years, he worked for CTV News in Winnipeg as Western Bureau Chief and then moved to Toronto where he became a national news reporter and back-up anchor for Harvey Kirck. Mr. Macht read the CTV national weekend news for ten years, at one time reading seven days a week for a three-month stretch while Mr. Kirck was off on medical leave.
In 1977, Mr. Macht switched to the morning news program on CTV, Canada AM. There he honed his skills as a sportscaster and had the opportunity to interview some of the greatest athletes of all time, including Mohammed Ali and a very young Wayne Gretzky and his father at their home in Brantford.
In 1988, his remarkable skills and experience brought Mr. Macht to Peterborough where he assumed the responsibilities of vice president of information, news director and television anchor for CHEX radio and TV. Under his stewardship, the news department received numerous technical upgrades and new studios. Mr. Macht mentored the younger staff there who benefited from his vast experience and many years in the industry. His colleagues describe him as a consummate professional, patient, always willing to teach and share his knowledge, and respected by all as the heart of the newsroom.
After forty years of broadcasting, Mr. Macht retired in 1999, only to vigorously pursue his love of reporting to support many of the community projects he was involved with. Since then he has produced several television documentaries, including “The Trent-Severn Waterway: A National Treasure”, “Peterborough’s Heart Catheter: A Work of Heart”, and “Days Gone By: The History of Peterborough”. The latter production was so popular that it sold more than 1200 DVD copies.
Through his many video projects, Mr. Macht has given the community a deeper sense of its history and accomplishments. He played a fundamental role during Peterborough’s centennial year in 2004, co-chairing the media and publication sub-committee and producing a special video for the city capturing the centennial year’s highlights and the Mayor’s selection honouring 40 important local citizens. Mr. Macht also produced a video celebrating the Rotary Greenway Trail and in 2007 created a historical production on the Kawartha Golf and Country Club on the occasion of its seventy-fifth anniversary. In addition to his video pursuits, Mr. Macht has recently turned to writing, authoring a new book entitled The First 50 Years: A History of Upper Lakes Shipping, Ltd.
He remains a dedicated volunteer for the United Way, and currently serves as president of the Trent Valley Archives. For his exceptional contributions to his profession and the community, Mr. Macht has received numerous awards, including the Achievement Award from the Government of Saskatchewan, the Mayor’s Centennial Award in 2005, a special recognition award from the Kingston Regional Cancer Centre and is honoured on Peterborough’s Pathway of Fame.