Veteran Tasmanian ABC broadcaster Ric Paterson has announced his retirement.


Paterson, 59, made the announcement this morning at the launch of the 2006 ABC Giving Tree.


Paterson says it has been a memorable 42 years in the industry.


“Last night I got the calculator out and did some rough calculations,” he said.


“In 42 years in radio I’ve played around about 87,360 records and have done roughly 16,400 interviews.


“But the most alarming thing is that it’s still out there in space somewhere.”


He says his last breakfast radio program will be broadcast on December 22.


“I’ve always regarded it as a great privilege to be a broadcaster, to be part of the daily lives of many Tasmanians,” he said.


“It has never, ever been just a job.”


Source ABC