Network Ten has announced that Mal Walden will step down as senior newsreader at Ten News in Melbourne on 4 December, to be replaced by sports presenter Stephen Quartermain.

Quartermain currently reads Ten News in Melbourne two nights a week since Walden cut back his presenting duties back in July in preparation for his retirement.

In a statement issued by Ten, Walden welcomed the announcement of his successor:

“I could not endorse a more appropriate or more qualified colleague than Stephen to carry on the tradition of newsreader here at Ten.

“I have worked with Quarters for 25 years in the Ten Newsroom. We have both shared the same rights of passage through those years and the same passion for journalism. Now it’s time to hand over the baton as Ten News begins the next exciting phase of expansion.

“Stephen is as much a part of Melbourne as the AFL, so congratulations mate you will do us proud. I couldn’t be happier for you.”

Quartermain, with almost 30 years’ experience at Ten, looks forward to this next career development:

“It’s very humbling to have the newsreader baton passed on to me. Mal is a legend of the Melbourne TV news business alongside names like Brian Naylor, Geoff Raymond and David Johnston.

“For 25 years we have been colleagues at Ten and have ridden a wild rollercoaster together! I have learnt a lot from Mal and admire the high standards he has set, his loyalty and his extraordinary longevity. He will be a hard act to follow.

“This is an exciting new phase of my career. I love the news business and hope to do the job proud.”

In other staff moves at Ten, sports presenter Brad McEwen returns to Melbourne to read sport for Ten News, while Wallabies star Matt Burke will fill the sports presenter role for Ten News in Sydney.