"Ken Sutcliffe came from the bush and after 37 years at the Nine Network returns to the bush to enjoy his retirement. What I love and admire so much about Ken, is those authentic bush values have never left him in the nearly four decades he has reigned supreme as the voice, the face, the fabric of sports broadcasting in this country.
Since announcing his retirement, I have been bowled over by complete strangers all wanting to tell me how much they will miss Ken. It's his voice, his sparkling eyes, his familiarity, his realness….that's what they have told me in the supermarket aisle, carline at school, on the street. You see, strangers feel completely comfortable with Kenny coming into their lounge rooms every night. He is like a friend or a family member and that recognition doesn't come easily in this game..
And let me tell you, that's the Ken that lights up our newsroom every day. Away from the studio lights and camera's he is a mentor, a friend, an advisor and one of the hardest working journos you could meet. When it comes to work ethic, Ken sets the gold standard.
None of us — viewers and workmates — want him to go, but he is and we wish him happiness, health and bucket loads of good times exploring the world with his wife Anne and cheering on his grandkids in life.
Every night when Ken throws back to me on the Sydney 6pm news desk I respond with "See you tomorrow" …. And now I won't. I am going to miss him and so are you."