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50 years in television for Channel 10. (L-R) Bruce Mansfield, Stephen Quartermain and Mal Walden (past and present news team). Picture: Tony Gough Source: News Corp Australia
TEN newsreader Stephen Quartermain wants to continue for at least another decade as he clocks up 30 years at the network this week.
Quartermain, 52, took on the nightly network news presenter role after Mal Walden left the network this time last year.
“I couldn’t do early retirement, I’d go stark raving mad,’’ he said.
“I’d like to do what I’m doing for at least another 10 years. In the TV game who knows, or in any job, I don’t take this or anything for granted. It’s been a great ride.â€
Stephen Quartermain and Eddie McGurie on the Channel 10 newsdesk
Quartermain will celebrate his milestone at The Olsen tomorrow night.
He started at Ten on December 10, 1984 as a 22 year-old and after a few months in news moved into the sports department where he spent all his time until recently landing the newsreading gig.
“Sport in Melbourne is news and it’s all pretty similar and competitive,’’ he said.
Steve Quartermain, sports reporter for Channel Ten. 1989 Picture: Supplied/file Source: Supplied
“I think the days of being a newsreader and just sitting there are gone. You’ve got to diversify. I’ve been lucky to work in radio and host the Grand Finals and Brownlows when we had the rights.
“It’s completely different now to when I first started. It’s a real business and financially it’s a lot harder.â€
Stephen Quartermain and Eddie McGuire — Channel Ten's roving sports reporters. Picture: Supplied/file Source: Supplied
Quartermain says his highlights have been working at Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games and the 1989 Ashes Tour.
He counts David Johnston, Mal Walden and news bosses Neil Miller and Dermot O’Brien among his greatest influences.
“And Bruce McAvaney too, he taught me a lot about sport and how to appreciate all sports,’’ Quartermain said.
“It’s an old cliche but time flies when you’re having fun.â€
Grand Prix Ball. Crown. Stephen Quartermain and wife Paige Source: News Corp Australia
Paige, Jack (7), and Stephen Quartermain with their new daughter Scarlett Rose. Source: News Limited