THE sad news that the ABC will essentially produce nothing other than news for television in Tasmania, and most likely a lot less for radio, is definitely a time for reflection.
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Whilst, over the past two decades, we have been gradually weaned off what we once enjoyed so that only those with long and nostalgic memories will recall the glory days, let's indulge ourselves and do just that.
For there was a time when the ABC, and to a lesser but still significant degree the two old commercial stations in Tasmania, only had to smell a lathering of penetrene to turn up and cover sport around the state.
Most of the younger generations will find it hard to believe that there used to be afternoon-long direct telecasts of the head of the river, independent schools athletics carnivals and just about every state championship that was conducted in most of the popular sports.
Sportsview, the ABC's Saturday afternoon sport show delivered mostly live material, ably compered by a host of talented broadcasters who were either based or got their start here.
For there was a time when the ABC, and to a lesser but still significant degree the two old commercial stations in Tasmania, only had to smell a lathering of penetrene to turn up and cover sport around the state.
There was even a long period when ABC national sport was produced and directed from Tasmania.
During the footy season there was local product aplenty and Tasmanian personalities, both trained journalists and retired sporting stars, delivered the lot.
It was the commercial channels time to shine on Sunday mornings, when both had eagerly-watched live programs. David McQuestin and then Ray James were the backbone of the Launceston-based sports shows, travelling tirelessly across the North of the state with their cameramen to film every event that attracted even a modicum of interest.
In those days the action of each of the Christmas carnivals was filmed during the afternoon, the tapes then rushed by car back to the old TNT9 studios in Launceston and then every heat, semi and final of the gifts and wheelraces shown that evening.
Yes it was all in black and white but it was sensational and did much to ensure that participation and spectator levels of Tasmanian sport remained high.
But back to the ABC and nationally for the moment - and a reminisce about a great icon of Australian sport that was always the talk of the country at this time of the year.
No - not the wonderful cricket broadcasts which Aunty then delivered on both radio and television, long before telecast rights had even been thought of.
And not the compulsory cross to Sydney for the start of the great yacht race on Boxing Day and the dinky little reports we used to get on the telly each evening after the news as the boats progressed towards Hobart.
But rather the ABC Sportsman of the Year. It was the most basically produced awards show imaginable but it was important and Australians loved finding out who the single winner would be each year.
The national broadcaster stopped hosting and producing it long ago but so many of the greats of Australian sport were acknowledged through it.
What is an even greater pity is that we don't even have such an award these days.
