Sunshine Coast Mix FM radio host Caroline Hutchinson announces retirement on air

One of Australia’s longest running radio partnerships, spanning an estimated 5000 breakfast shows, is coming to an end with a beloved co-host announcing she’s quitting radio to start a second life.

Mark Darin and Caroline Hutchinson have had about 5000 breakfast shows together, making them among the longest running co-hosts in Australia, if not the world.

One of Australia’s longest running radio partnerships, spanning an estimated 5000 breakfast shows, is coming to an end with a beloved co-host announcing she’s quitting radio to start a second life.

Sunshine Coast Mix FM radio host Caroline Hutchinson, who first came to the Coast in 1998, told listeners she would finish up at the end of the year to pursue a ‘second life’ at age 56.

She used her signature ‘Is it Just Me’ segment to announce the tightly held secret.

“Is it just me or did everyone think this day might never actually come?” Ms Hutchinson said.

She said that yesterday she told her co host Mark Darin she had resigned as they were leaving the studio.

“I think I surprised him,” Ms Hutchinson said.

“It’s a sad decision. I love everyone here,’’ she said, described the Maroochydore-based station as like family.

Caroline Hutchinson and Mark Darin.

“I actually raised my kids at Mix FM.”

YOU CAN LISTEN TO HER ANNOUNCEMENT HERE

Ms Hutchinson said she came to the Sunshine Coast when houses were $150,000, surf lifesavers were ‘gods’ and the Winter Bowls Carnival was the biggest money spinner for the region.

Mr Darin said they were the one of the longest running breakfast shows in not only Australia but the world with more than 5000 shows together.

Ms Hutchinson, who was at the station six years before Mr Darin, described breakfast as the “best job going in the whole radio world.’’

But the new grandmother said it was time to start a second life and she admitted she would look forward to walking the dog on the beach and having breakfast before work like other people do.

“I’m 56 and if I am going to have a second life I just have to get busy and do it.’’

She’s indicated her passions were problem solving for businesses and strategic planning so hoped to get into those areas after finishing at the station.

“I’ll be here til Christmas so there will be 1000 goodbyes,” she said.

Caroline Hutchinson. Picture – file.

“I’m not going to cry. I’m here till Christmas. I can’t cry everyday.”

Mr Darin congratulated her on air but also said it was sad.

“Oh Caroline what are you doing?” he said.

“I don’t know anyone in radio who does what you do.

“You have a lust for life that is unstoppable.

“You are underestimating the effects you have on people’s lives.

“Everybody comes to you with their problems and you try to solve everyone of them.’’

He revealed they had spoken a few weeks ago and asked her to ‘give me another year’

He said if ‘she can’t say yes – she’s got to go’.

“It’s been an incredible run mate,” he said.

“I think we’re one of the longest running breakfast shows in the world.

“It’s been remarkable.

“You’re incredible... a force to be reckoned with...no one will be able to take your place.

“It’s been an amazing run and we are going to miss you like nothing else.

“Congratulations. You're doing it for you. It’s a brave step.”

Caroline Hutchinson from 97.2 Mix FM grabs her Bear for Care teddy with her copy of the Sunshine Coast Daily.

Ms Hutchinson is known for her dedication to the local community, her ongoing charity work, helping raised millions for Give Me 5 for Kids.

Just this year the pair walked 30 km for charity.

The Give Me 5 for Kids campaign was launched in 1999 when Caroline and Mark devastatingly learnt premature babies were actually being bagged on the Sunshine Coast then put into an ambulance to keep them alive during the trip to Brisbane.

In the first year they raised enough to fund two transport cots.

An emotional moment as 92.7 Mix FM breakfast announcers Caroline Hutchinson and Mark Darin discover they have smashed their $600,000 fundraising goal for the Give Me 5 for Kids appeal.

Then in 2001 the team made televisions in the children’s wards free for every family.

Caroline and Mark even set a world record for the longest Mexican waves when walking from Noosa to Caloundra with wheelie bins in tow which were filled with donated money for the children in hospital.

Ms Hutchinson describes herself as “a wife, mother, part time home re-arranger and full time food and beverage enthusiast”.

Ms Hutchinson and her husband John also share three adult children – Gabe, Milly, and Jemimah.

Ms Hutchinson is from Margaret River in Western Australia.

She has been a radio presenter at MIX FM for more than 25 years.

Prior to this she worked as a journalist in television.

Caroline Hutchinson. Picture – file.

When she is not on the air, Ms Hutchinson previously said she enjoys cooking, eating, lying on the beach, lying on the couch, watching TV, and lying in bed reading.

When previously asked who she looked up to and admired in her life, Ms Hutchinson said “ordinary people”.

“I love people who run sporting clubs for no money, people who remain calm when things go wrong, people who work really hard in their job and butchers who flirt with EVERYONE who comes into their shop,” she said.

“You get the gist, I just like people who make the world a better place.”

Originally published as Sunshine Coast Mix FM radio host Caroline Hutchinson announces retirement on air