Veteran presenter Lee Lin Chin has presented her last bulletin after more than thirty years with SBS.
“I am saddest of all to leave you, the audience,” she said. “Thank you for watching and a very good night.”
Wearing a black ensemble that fans described as Darth Vader-inspired, Chin delivered her final sign off with her usual aplomb.
On Twitter, she said simply: “30 years, it goes by rather fast. Goodbye.”
Fans share their memories
The hashtag #LeeLinChin trended on Twitter after her final bulletin.
Fans posted pictures of where they watched the final bulletin with some heading to Melbourne’s Federation Square to watch it on the big screen.
Other viewers, watching from home, praised Chin for being a pillar of diversity on national television.
Others were overcome with emotion.
Viewers also approved of Chin’s outfit for the occasion.
Fans were also pleasantly surprised to see a farewell comment from British reporter Dan Rivers, who was the subject of a famous off-air comment by Chin when she said “who is that handsome…” before matter-of-factly turning to the camera to present the next story.
“Lee Lin Chin I was once that handsome man, so you claimed very generously," Rivers said. "Not so much anymore. But I'm here waiting for you on the [Greek] holiday island of Paros.”
“Perhaps you and I could sit in the sun and we could read Shakespeare together.”
Earlier in the bulletin, colleague Michael Tomalaris expressed sadness at Chin’s departure, saying she is one of a kind.
“You are unique in every way: your delivery, your clarity, the news presentation,” he said.
“You are unique to Australian television. You really are and have been the fabric of this network for so many years. And you leave behind some wonderful history; and all I can say to you from Paris is happy trails to you, thank you for the memories. We're going to miss you and bon voyage.”
Lee Lin Chin and Michael Tomalaris. Source: SBS
Similar sentiments were echoed by sports presenter Craig Foster, who said Chin broke the mould.
“You have redefined what it means for a presenter in Australia: what they should look like, how they should talk and certainly how they should dress,” he said.
“Everyone here is incredibly proud of you. I am sure every Australian is. And I am sure you leave as you conducted your career: very much on your own terms.”
The weekend newsreading baton is being passed to Anton Enus, who returns after battling bowel cancer.
He said the new responsibility brings back memories of how his time at SBS began.
"My very first broadcast as a presenter for SBS World News was filling in for you on a weekend shift," he told Chin.
He said the time was notable for "a kind of sameness that existed across the channels, particularly the commercial channels - bits of white bread if you like".
"You had the confidence and verve and off-centre styling to take that established conventionality and turn it on its head.
"We owe you a debt of gratitude for bringing that dash of colour and style into our lives over a long period."
