One of Australian television's most familiar faces is saying goodbye to the morning sports desk that has become his second home. Mark Beretta has announced he will step down as sports anchor on Channel Seven's Sunrise program after an extraordinary 22-year run.
End of an Era for Sunrise
Beretta made the emotional announcement during Tuesday morning's broadcast, revealing that his final show will air on Friday, December 12. The decision marks the end of a remarkable three-decade relationship with the Seven Network that began in February 1995.
"After a lot of long nights thinking about it, the time is right for me to step away from Sunrise," Beretta told viewers and staff. "If someone had told me back in February 1995 when I walked through the doors of Seven Melbourne for my first day that 30 years later I'd still be doing the job I love, I wouldn't have believed them."
The veteran sports presenter explained that recent family circumstances have reshaped his perspective on life and career priorities. The loss of his father to cancer two months ago, coupled with his mother's ongoing battle with the disease, has prompted a significant lifestyle reassessment.
Family and Charity Take Priority
"Family time has become even more important," Beretta acknowledged. "And I want to do more to help the great work of Tour de Cure in finding treatments and cures for cancer."
His commitment to the cancer charity is deeply personal and longstanding. Beretta has participated in 16 Tour de Cure rides to raise funds for breakthrough cancer treatments, often sharing the emotional journey with Sunrise viewers.
Despite stepping away from his daily Sunrise role, Beretta emphasized that his passion for sports storytelling remains undiminished. "My passion for sport and athletes and telling their terrific stories will never fade, and I won't be far away," he confirmed.
A Legacy of Sporting Moments
Beretta's career with Seven Network spans some of Australia's most memorable sporting moments. His resume includes:
- Covering 13 Olympic Games for the network
- Hosting prime-time coverage of the Sydney 2000 Games and Cathy Freeman's iconic 400m gold medal victory
- Commentating Australia's first Olympic Freestyle Aerials Gold in 2002
- Running with the Olympic flame in both Sydney 2000 and Beijing 2008
- Extensive coverage of AFL, Australian Open Tennis, Supercars, and Commonwealth Games
Seven's Director of Morning Television, Sarah Stinson, paid tribute to Beretta's contribution, describing him as "the heartbeat of Sunrise's sports coverage for more than two decades."
Long-time Sunrise co-host Natalie Barr, who has shared the desk with Beretta throughout his entire Sunrise tenure, expressed mixed emotions about his departure. "For more than 20 years we have sat together in the Sunrise studio and what a ride it has been," she said. "You never quite leave the Sunrise family though... so see you soon Beretts!"
While stepping back from daily broadcasting, Beretta will remain connected to both Sunrise and the broader Seven Network through several special projects yet to be announced. His dedication to charitable work has been formally recognized with an Order of Australia Medal for service to charitable organisations.
Australian viewers will have the opportunity to bid farewell to Beretta during his final Sunrise appearance in mid-December, celebrating a broadcasting career that has become part of the nation's morning routine for over two decades.
