Gee ready to sign off

HE has been the face of ABC television’s Tasmanian news for more than two decades, but Peter Gee is readying to sign off for the last time.

Mr Gee has announced his retirement after a distinguished 40-year media career, 38 years of it spent with the ABC and 20 of those as weeknight presenter of the flagship 7pm news.

His farewell bulletin will be on August 3, with his successor to be announced soon.

“After 40 years in the media I think it’s time to give the public a rest from my uninvited appearances in their lounge rooms and on their radios,” Mr Gee said yesterday. “The fact I’ve been allowed to go this long tells me I’ve been doing something right and from that I take great satisfaction. It has been a privilege to have been of service to such a loyal audience and to be held in some sort of regard by them.”

Aside from reading the weeknight news on ABC TV Tasmania since 1998, Mr Gee has also read afternoon radio bulletins.

He began his broadcasting career in commercial radio in country Victoria before joining the ABC in 1980 and spent 18 years in the sports department in Hobart, then in Melbourne.

Mr Gee has also worked as a commentator, interviewer and presenter on many national sports programs.

His commentary highlights include two Olympic Games, two Commonwealth Games, the Athletics World Championships, World Cup Soccer and golf, swimming and basketball.

He said personal career highlights included calling the gold medal swim of Kieren Perkins in the 1500m freestyle final at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games and hosting the ABC Sports Awards.

Mr Gee was also on deck in 2006 during the Beaconsfield mine rescue.

ABC director of news, analysis and investigations Gaven Morris said Mr Gee would be sorely missed.