MIKE AMOR QUIETLY BOWS OUT OF SEVEN AFTER 30 YEARS, WITH NO ON-AIR FAREWELL

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One of the most familiar faces on Australian television news has signed off, and he did it without any fanfare at all.

Veteran newsman Mike Amor has left the Seven Network after around 30 years, reading his final bulletin on Friday night, 30 October.

There was no on-air farewell and no formal announcement in the newsroom.

Instead, he said goodbye to colleagues in an email sent late on Friday night.

"There will be a spare desk from today, as I wrap up my time at Seven," he wrote, as reported by TV Central.

Mike Amor's remarkable career

For many viewers, Mike will always be the calm, steady voice reporting from America.

He spent close to two decades as Seven's US bureau chief, based in Los Angeles.

In that time he covered some of the defining events of the modern era.

He reported on the September 11 attacks, Hurricane Katrina and three US presidential elections.

He also covered conflicts in Libya and Gaza, bringing the world's biggest stories into Australian living rooms.

Reporting from overseas for so long meant years of long hours, constant travel and time away from home.

It is the kind of career many young journalists dream of, and few manage to sustain for so long.

Ashlee Mullany later took over the role of US bureau chief.

Coming home to Melbourne

In 2018, Mike returned home to Melbourne to present weekend editions of 7NEWS Melbourne.

He also fronted major investigations for the network.

Most recently he read the weekend news alongside Karina Carvalho and regularly filled in on the Melbourne news desk during the week.

Last November he led Breaking Point, a five-night investigation into violent crime in Melbourne that included overnight patrols with Victoria Police.

This year he also reported live from Porepunkah as a major manhunt came to an end.

In May, he sat down with Scott and Alex Pendlebury for a 7NEWS special.

Why did he leave?

So far, no reason has been given for his departure.

Seven has not named a replacement for his weekend role, according to TV Blackbox.

His understated exit is in keeping with the low-key, professional style viewers have come to know and trust.

There was a hint of what lies ahead in his farewell message, though.

He said he would be cheering on the Richmond Tigers from home in 2027, which will no doubt delight fellow Tigers fans.

A quiet goodbye from a trusted voice

In an era of splashy farewells and social media tributes, there is something rather touching about a journalist who simply finishes his final story and heads home.

It says a lot about a man who always put the news ahead of himself.

For three decades, Mike Amor has been there when big news broke, from disasters overseas to stories in our own backyard.

Many of us grew up hearing his voice on the evening news, and for some families he was as much a part of the dinner routine as setting the table.

His departure marks the end of an era at Seven.

What's next?

Whether Mike Amor takes a well-earned rest, moves into a new role or pops up somewhere unexpected, we wish him all the very best.

After 30 years of early starts, late finishes and long-haul flights, he has more than earned some time at the footy.

For now, his many fans will be keeping an eye out for his next chapter.

Long-serving newsreaders often become like old friends to viewers, which is why departures like this can feel surprisingly personal.

It is a reminder of how much trust we place in the people who bring us the news each night.

And if you spot him in the stands at a Richmond game next year, a friendly wave of thanks would not go astray.