Mike Williamson (broadcaster)
Encyclopedia
Mike Williamson OAM
(born 1932) is a former Australian television broadcaster.
Williamson was a well-performed professional runner. Having been banned from professional foot-running for "running dead", he turned his efforts towards acting as a sports commentator of Australian rules football
matches in the Victorian Football League with radio stations 3AK
and 3AW
before joining HSV-7
in 1959 as part of Seven's VFL football team.
Key moments in Williamson's commentary career include the 1966 Grand Final
where St Kilda won their first premiership as well as the 1970 VFL Grand Final
where Williamson called the now immortal "Jesaulenko, you beauty!", one of the most famous quotes in the history of Australian rules. The words were part of numerous advertising campaigns, including one for Carlton Draught
, as well as a 2006 Toyota Memorable Moments
campaign featuring Alex Jesaulenko
himself. He presented the premiership medallions to Essendon in 1993.
As well as commentating, Williamson was involved with general announcing duties at both 3AK and 3AW. At HSV-7 he compered a number of variety and quiz shows, the most notable being Tell the Truth and The Penthouse Club
. The latter was co-hosted by Mary Hardy who later compered the show with others, including Bill Collins
and Ernie Sigley
. "The Penthouse Club" provided variety, including live acts, between broadcasts of trotting races. It also introduced to Melbourne, the live broadcasting of the Tattslotto
draw.
Williamson retired in 1977 and was awarded an OAM in 2006 for his charity work.
Order of Australia
The Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, "for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service"...
(born 1932) is a former Australian television broadcaster.
Williamson was a well-performed professional runner. Having been banned from professional foot-running for "running dead", he turned his efforts towards acting as a sports commentator of Australian rules football
Australian rules football
Australian rules football, officially known as Australian football, also called football, Aussie rules or footy is a sport played between two teams of 22 players on either...
matches in the Victorian Football League with radio stations 3AK
3AK
3AK is the call sign of SEN 1116 and earlier the on-air name of a former Melbourne talk-back radio and music station, which, in 2003, leased its licence to sports network SEN 1116...
and 3AW
3AW
3AW is a talkback radio station in Melbourne, Australia on 693 kHz AM. It began transmission on 22 February 1932 as Melbourne's fifth commercial radio station.-History:...
before joining HSV-7
HSV-7
HSV is a television station in Melbourne. It is part of the Seven Network, one of the three main commercial television networks in Australia, and its first and oldest station, having been launched in time for the 1956 Summer Olympic Games in Melbourne....
in 1959 as part of Seven's VFL football team.
Key moments in Williamson's commentary career include the 1966 Grand Final
1966 VFL Grand Final
The 1966 VFL Grand Final was an Australian rules football game contested between the Collingwood Football Club and St Kilda Football Club, held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne on 24 September 1966. It was the 70th annual grand final of the Victorian Football League , staged to...
where St Kilda won their first premiership as well as the 1970 VFL Grand Final
1970 VFL Grand Final
The 1970 VFL Grand Final was an Australian rules football game contested between the Carlton Football Club and Collingwood Football Club, held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne on 26 September 1970. It was the 74th annual Grand Final of the Victorian Football League, staged to determine...
where Williamson called the now immortal "Jesaulenko, you beauty!", one of the most famous quotes in the history of Australian rules. The words were part of numerous advertising campaigns, including one for Carlton Draught
Carlton Draught
Carlton Draught is a 4.6% pale lager made in Australia by Carlton & United Beverages.-Description:Carlton Draught is a pale lager which is sold on tap in its home state of Victoria as well as in New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia, and is one of Australia's most...
, as well as a 2006 Toyota Memorable Moments
Toyota Memorable Moments
The Toyota Memorable Moments series is a series of television advertisements produced over several years for the Australian Football League by its major sponsor, Toyota....
campaign featuring Alex Jesaulenko
Alex Jesaulenko
Alex 'Jezza' Jesaulenko MBE is a former Australian rules footballer and coach. He is regarded as one of the game's greatest-ever players and is an official Legend of the Australian Football Hall of Fame...
himself. He presented the premiership medallions to Essendon in 1993.
As well as commentating, Williamson was involved with general announcing duties at both 3AK and 3AW. At HSV-7 he compered a number of variety and quiz shows, the most notable being Tell the Truth and The Penthouse Club
The Penthouse Club
The Penthouse Club was a weekly variety program produced live to air from the studios of HSV-7 Melbourne from October 10, 1970. It was originally hosted by Michael Williamson and comedian Mary Hardy....
. The latter was co-hosted by Mary Hardy who later compered the show with others, including Bill Collins
Bill Collins (racecaller)
William Henry "Bill" Collins OAM was an Australian racecaller who earned the reputation for being able to accurately call the winner of even the closest of races. Known as "The Accurate One", he was well known for his call of the Melbourne Cup each year. One of his most notable commentaries was...
and Ernie Sigley
Ernie Sigley
Ernest William "Ernie" Sigley is an enduring Australian entertainment personality known for his square-rimmed spectacles, the gap between his front teeth and his slapstick approach to comedy.-Radio career:...
. "The Penthouse Club" provided variety, including live acts, between broadcasts of trotting races. It also introduced to Melbourne, the live broadcasting of the Tattslotto
Tattslotto
TattsLotto is a weekly lottery game played on Saturday nights in Australia. The game is a product of Tatts Group. The first TattsLotto draw was televised by Melbourne television station HSV7 on 22 June 1972, and was hosted by David Johnston and Lucy Kiraly. Six numbers and two supplementary numbers...
draw.
Williamson retired in 1977 and was awarded an OAM in 2006 for his charity work.