At home with Sunrise sports presenter Mark Beretta

He’s a sporting fanatic and a 10-time Australian waterskiing champion, but for TV presenter Mark Beretta home and family are his most prized possessions.

Presenter and sports fanatic Mark Beretta at home. Picture: David Li

Television presenter and passionate sports devotee Mark Beretta describes his Mosman, Sydney family house as “full on”, with lots of noise and activity.

The three-level house is home to three generations – Beretta and wife Rachel, their son, daughter and partner, and one grandchild.

It’s a busy household with plenty of action, but Beretta, known as “Beretts” to many, loves it.

“There are our children, Ava and Daniel, Ava’s partner Sam and our grandson Arlo, so it’s a full house,” he says.

“The house is built on a hill, so it’s set over three levels and we are lucky enough to have a view over the beach below and a pool out the back, which we love.”

One of the views from the Berettas’ family home. Picture: David Li

Great views are a feature of the house that is set quite high above the trees, with lots of birdlife.

“There are always cockatoos on the back deck, and we have a beautiful view over the valley,” says Beretta.

His favourite room is his study which is filled with lots of sporting memorabilia and items which are reminders of remarkable sporting memories.

“My desk is set up to work and write, and there is a television to watch sport to my heart’s content and I am completely uninterrupted,” he says. “But most of all I love that I’m surrounded by things that are special to me.”

A signed ball from the US is one of Mark’s prized possessions. Picture: David Li

Some of his favourite possessions are all sports orientated, which comes as no surprise.

They include an Atlanta 1996 Olympic Games poster signed by all the Australian gold medallists, which Beretta especially treasures.

The Olympic torches from Sydney and Beijing are also valued keepsakes, as he ran and carried them.

The Mosman home is built over three levels. Picture: David Li.,

“Luckily, I was able to keep them, and I also have my old water skis,” says Beretta, a 10-times Australian water skiing champion who was a silver medallist at the Singapore International Masters and held a US record.

A surfboard signed by Mick Fanning, which he rode to win the world championships, is also special.

A keen cyclist, Beretta, who raises money annually for Tour de Cure, loves his Cannondale bike.

Books and sports memorabilia take pride of place. Picture: David Li

“When I’m not presenting, I also sit on the board of Tour de Cure, a charity I hold very close to my heart – I’ve ridden thousands of kilometres around Australia for the past 10 years and counting,” he says.

Beretta and family are sentimentally attached to the leafy Mosman hills where they have lived for a long time, and this is the third house they have purchased in the suburb.

“We enjoy the friendly atmosphere and how there are lots of families and it’s a good comfortable spot to live – we all really enjoy living there,” he says.

Beretta, who grew up in Geelong west of Melbourne and has an engineering degree, has also lived in Melbourne’s seaside suburb of Albert Park and inner-city Hawthorn, but as a family the Berettas have always resided in Sydney’s North Shore suburbs.

When it comes to cooking, Beretta is a bit of a “barbecue master” – rather than in the kitchen.

“I enjoy cooking on the deck on the BBQ and everyone seems to enjoy my efforts,” he says.

Beretta, who is best known as a sports presenter on Channel 7’s Sunrise program and for hosting Seven’s major sports broadcasts, says he’s been lucky to call television and radio presenting his ­career for 25 years.

Some highly prized motor racing signatures. Picture: David Li.,

“In the past, I’ve also had the chance to MC at some incredible events like the AFL’s Brownlow Medal, Olympics’ Welcome Home ceremonies, and some of Australia’s biggest sporting events – all such wonderful opportunities,” he says.

“I love being able to live a lifetime in sport, and the fact that I’ve made a million very fond memories – I never wanted to leave the ­industry, so to be able to stay ­involved and enjoy it and go to events which are special to me is incredible.”

Beretta feels very privileged to be able to enjoy so many great ­moments in Australian sporting history.

His latest venture will be as a guest on Cunard’s new Sporting Greats and Wellness cruise from February 13-20, 2024.

“I’m there to have a great time, share some amazing sporting stories and spend time with three great athletes that I admire and hold in high regard – Brett Lee, Adam Goodes and Karrie Webb,” he says.

“It will be informative for those who come along but it will be also a good time for people who love sport; it should be a great adventure, so bring it on.”