Kerry O'Brien has signed off after fifteen years as the host of The 7.30 Report (Source: ABC)

Kerry O'Brien said goodbye to viewers of The 7.30 Report for the last time on Thursday evening, ending his fifteen-year association with the programme on a night during which his peers also honoured his contribution to Australian journalism.

O'Brien has been the editor and host of The 7.30 Report from the time it went national in December 1995, just weeks before the beginning of the 1996 election campaign.

"A lot of happened since - the tragedies, the triumphs, the big landmark moments and the little things that nonetheless brighten our lives," he said in his last sign-off.

"I've enjoyed your company and I hope you've enjoyed mine. There's a great team of people in this place, but you know that and you can expect good things from 7.30 with Leigh Sales and Chris Uhlmann next year.

"I can honestly say it's been an honour and a privilege to share this space with you. We can get together again on Four Corners next year, but now, as they say, the time has come to say goodnight. Have a great Christmas."

O'Brien made his name at programmes including This Day Tonight and Four Corners. He will return to Four Corners as the investigative programme's presenter next year.

'I'm stunned'

A few hours after signing off on his final edition of The 7.30 Report, O'Brien was honoured at the Walkley Awards with one of the annual ceremony's top accolades.

Upon receiving the award for journalistic leadership - which recognises outstanding acts of integrity and bravery in the practice of journalism - O'Brien said that he was "stunned".

"Tonight was my last show for 7.30, as you know, and I was determined to play a straight bat and I managed to, and now you've got me, you bastards," he quipped.

O'Brien also took out the prize for broadcasting and online interviewing, for his interviews with Kevin Rudd and Tony Abbott.

Media Spy discussion: The 7.30 Report