The Channel 7 Children’s Research Foundation (CRF) is pleased to announce the appointment of Mike Smithson to its Honorary Board, effective February 2023.

Mike comes to CRF as a representative for Foundation Member, Channel 7, succeeding Rosanna Mangiarelli, 7News Presenter and CRF Ambassador.

Mike Smithson is News Presenter and Chief Reporter at Channel 7 Adelaide. He has more than four decades experience in newspaper and television news gathering in Adelaide and internationally, being the Network’s European correspondent for two and a half years.

Mike was chief political reporter for 25 years, where he earned the SA Journalist of the Year award, before turning his attention to full-time news presenting.

He was also a long-standing member of the University of Adelaide Media Advisory Board and has been President of the SA Press Club for the past three years.

Over his journalistic journey, he’s been a weekly radio commentator on ABC Adelaide and FIVEaa and a columnist with the Advertiser and Sunday Mail.

In his various capacities, Mike’s been an ambassador for organisations including Legacy.

He’s a keen mountain hiker and is married to Fiona who has considerable not-for-profit executive experience.

They have two adult children, Matt and Emma, who both work in Communications.

And as we welcome Mike to the Channel 7 Children’s Research Foundation, the Board also wishes to acknowledge and greatly thank Rosanna for her honorary contributions to helping the Board with its dedication to enriching the lives of children through research, and congratulate her on her new role as Presenter for 7News Adelaide nightly at 6pm.