After nearly three decades at the top of Melbourne’s radio airwaves Neil Mitchell will say his final goodbye to 3AW listeners this morning.
The radio veteran described himself as a “bloke with a microphone” while speaking with Today ahead of his final radio stint, which will mark the end of an era for Australian radio.
“It’s (been) a great privilege. I’ve been there forever,” he said.
After stints at some of Melbourne’s most respected mastheads, including The Age and the Herald Sun, Mitchell has hosted 3AW’s mornings, which airs in Victoria on weekdays from 8.30am to noon, since 1990.
The multi-award-winning journalist announced his departure in September, describing it as a difficult decision to make.
“I’m feeling comfortable with the decision. I’m looking forward to the future,” he said.
“But I’m a bit bemused by the amount of attention quite seriously. I’m never comfortable with it. I’ve done TV, radio and newspaper interviews and I am just a bloke who has a microphone.
“There is nothing special about any of us. The power of us is the microphone. I’m bemused and embarrassed by it but comfortable with what I’m doing next.”
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Mitchell has been known for his tough interviews with politicians and people in power.
“This what journalism is about. That is what I am – a journalist with a microphone,” he said.
Mitchell was honoured with an Order of Australia for his “service to the print, radio and television media, and to the community through a range of charitable institutions” in 2007.
He is the only person to be inducted into both the Melbourne Press Club Hall of Fame and the Australian Commercial Radio Hall of Fame.
The radio veteran will continue to run his recently-launched weekly podcast with 3AW, Neil Mitchell Asks Why.
