After renowned sports presenter Clarke Hansen passed away on 30 April at the age of 84, the Australian media profession is in grief.
Beginning in January 1965 as a newsreader for NRN Channel 10 in Coffs Harbour, Hansen had a lengthy and illustrious career in the field.
He relocated to the ABC in 1967, where he established himself as a dynamic and passionate sports reporter and pundit.
In a social media post on Sunday, fellow sports presenter Dan Lonergan confirmed his passing. “On Thursday night, the sports media industry lost one of the best and most respected in the industry; the great Clarke Hansen who had a fine career with the ABC in the 1970s, 80s, and 90s,” Lonergan started. “He called football for years on ABC Radio and TV and also broadcast his favourite sport, tennis, the Australian Open where he and another broadcasting legend, Doug Heywood, were a great team providing brilliantly descriptive coverage.”
After renowned sports presenter Clarke Hansen passed away on 30 April at the age of 84, the Australian media profession is in grief.
“In later years, he organised an annual ABC reunion at his beloved Kooyong tennis club,” Lonergan continued, adding that Hansen was a kind and warm-hearted soul who was adored throughout the business. It is quite difficult to discover a better, more decent human being, he wrote.
“Clarke Hansen was one of the identifiable voices and presenters from my formative childhood years,” one person commented on social media in remembrance of Hansen. “He has left a positive lasting legacy on millions of grateful people.”
“A really good performer.” Excellent expertise and a terrific radio voice. “May Clarke RIP,” another person said. “I’m very sorry to hear this.” Another said, “One of the great footy commentators.”
“A truly amazing broadcaster.” Someone else wrote, “The like of which we don’t see around today.”
Beginning in January 1965 as a newsreader for NRN Channel 10 in Coffs Harbour, Hansen had a lengthy and illustrious career in the field.
Ashley Hansen, an AFL standout who played for the West Coast Eagles from 2004 to 2010, was also his daughter.
Throughout his career, Hansen regularly covered tennis tournaments, the AFL, and the Olympic Games.
In 2011, Hansen was admitted into the Melbourne Cricket Ground Media Hall of Fame in honour of his extensive career in broadcasting.
Ashley Hansen, an AFL standout who played for the West Coast Eagles from 2004 to 2010, was also his daughter.
Ashley and Chris, Hansen’s sons, and his wife Kerry survive him.
