Melbourne news presenter Peter Hitchener celebrates 40 years at Channel 9

PETER Hitchener will celebrate 40 years at Channel 9 tonight - and he says he still loves the job more than ever.

Peter Hitchener

PETER Hitchener will celebrate 40 years at Channel 9 tonight with a dinner at city restaurant Vue de Monde.

The long-time presenter of Nine's 6pm news said he was honoured and humbled about the celebration.

Nine boss David Gyngell, 3AW's John Burns, Sam Newman, Tracy Grimshaw, Tony Jones and the Nine news team will be toasting Hitchener's achievement.

Hitchener, 66, started at Channel 9 in Melbourne in 1973, after stints in radio and TV in Brisbane and Sydney.

It was network boss Kerry Packer who sorted out his contract after having an hour-long chat in the newsroom.

"From that moment I think he always showed an interest in my career," Hitchener said. "I found him charming and witty, and very supportive."

Hitchener has became one of Melbourne's most loved news presenters.

He started reading the weekend news in 1979, with Brian Naylor presenting from Monday to Friday. Hitchener took over in 1998 when Naylor retired.

In February 2009 he had to read the toughest bulletin of his life, after finding out about the death of Naylor and his wife, Moiree, in the Black Saturday fires.

"It was a difficult bulletin to read," he said. "It was very, very sad."

Hitchener has presented many big stories, including the death of Princess Diana, and the Hoddle St and Port Arthur massacres.

One of his most memorable moments was broadcasting the final live program at the Nine studios in Bendigo St, Richmond, in February 2011.

The news is now filmed at Nine's new studios at Docklands.

"In a way I think it has revitalised us," Hitchener said of the move.

"I will always remember reading the last bulletin from Bendigo St and we miss it, but working in a brand new building is fantastic."

After 40 years, he said he loved the job more than ever

HITCH'S FIVE BIGGEST MOMENTS

1. Telling Victoria about the death of his long time friend and colleague Brian Naylor who died in the Black Saturday fires in February, 2009.

2. Having an hour-long chat with Kerry Packer in the newsroom in 1973, who then promised to sort his contract out and support him.

3. The famous seagull incident. A magnified seagull appeared to walk behind him as he read a story about a cold case murder. The clip went around the world.

4. Taking over from Brian Naylor in 1998 to read the Monday to Friday news. A major personal achievement.

5. Reading the last ever bulletin from Nine's Bendigo St studios. It was the last live broadcast before the station moved to the Docklands.