The SA media icon and Ch 7 star, Mike Smithson is celebrating four and half decades on screen
He’s a legend of SA's media scene and now Channel 7 newsreader Mike Smithson is celebrating 45 years as a television journalist. See the photos from his outstanding career.
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Seven News presenter, Mike Smithson is celebrating 45 years as a television journalist.
‘Smitho’ made his screen debut on his birthday in 1979 and has since covered some of the biggest stories in South Australia and across the globe.
As one of the most recognisable and trusted journalists in the state, Smithson said coming to work has “never been a chore”.
“I am as enthused as I was on the first day, wide-eyed in Channel 7,” Smithson said.
“I just love television. You just meet great people along the way.”
With his 50th year on the job fast approaching, Smithson is showing “no signs of slowing down” and hopes to continue on his “fabulous journey” for as long as possible.
“People say to me, you’re 68, why don’t you retire?’,” Smithson said.
“I say, why would I if I love what I do?’
“If the audience will have me and my employer will have me, I’ll be around another five years … hopefully.”
Smithson’s Channel 7 colleagues marked the occasion with a surprise display of red balloons, streamers and a sign reading “Happy 45th Smitho” on the television doyen’s desk.
“Thanks to @7newsadelaide colleagues for the birthday decorations/anniversary of 45 years in television. Seems to be a familiar landmark theme,” Smithson wrote on Instagram with a photo of himself smiling in front of the display and an identical image from five years ago on his 40th anniversary.
The post was flooded with comments from admirers and familiar faces from the South Australian media scene with many commenting on Smithson’s ageless appearance.
Fellow Seven News anchor Rosanna Mangiarelli commented a praising hands emoji and a balloon emoji while radio personality Stacey Lee wrote “Congratulations! Looks like you got into the industry at 5 yo”.
Seven News Adelaide also shared a range of pictures from throughout Smithson’s long career writing, “he still looks the same!”
In another Instagram post, Smithson reflected on some of his career highlights from the last 45 years including “really p***ing off Jimmy Barnes in France and ex Network fugitive boss Christopher Skase in Majorca”.
“Those were the days,” Smithson wrote.
Happy 45th Smitho from all of us at The Advertiser!
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