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Vale Mike Gibson, one helluva good bloke

23rd September, 2015
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23rd September, 2015
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Multi-media personality Mike Gibson died today, aged 75.

Mike started his long media career with the Daily Telegraph, writing rugby league, boxing, and covering the Olympic Games.

How he loved his rugby league in general, but more so as an avid Bears’ supporter, always watching from the Moreton Bay Fig tree end, and his boxing.

And he wrote in an era of kindred spirits like Bill Mordey, Alan Clarkson, Bill Casey, Dick Tucker, and Peter Frilingos, all of whom are sadly no longer with us.

Sports writing is the poorer for their loss.

But Mike always had itchy feet, wanting new worlds to conquer using his photographic sporting memory, and thirst for knowlege in other fields.

From the mid to late 1970s, Mike teamed with George Moore on Sydney radio 2SM in the 9-12 morning slot.

Their entertaining interviews were from all walks of life, including many overseas celebrities like Joan Collins.

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But 1978 was their proudest moment, beating the legenday John Laws in the morning radio ratings. John Laws sent them a congratularity telegram.

The 2SM show was driven by Mike Gibson, as it was when he co-hosted the original Channel Nine ‘Wide World of Sports’ program on a Saturday morning with former Australian cricket captain Ian Chappell that kicked off in 1981.

Two ever-likeable rogues who called a spade a spade – they meant what they said, and said what they meant – take your pick, both accurate.

They ruled the sporting airwaves for a decade before Ken Sutcliffe and Max Walker took over.

But Mike Gibson wasn’t finished.

In tandem with the brilliant “Twelfth Man” comedian Billy Birmingham from 1996, Mike chaired the “Back Page” for 720 episodes over 16 years, missing only one episode with a chronic bad back.

Over such a long period and different callings, Mike Gibson’s built up an army of mates.

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They will sorely miss his wit, humour, and never ever dull conversations, especially those who frequented The Oaks at Neutral Bay, and the Mosman Rowers, for most of his media career.

He was just one helluva good bloke.

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