Raf Epstein will take over as host of the Mornings program on ABC Radio Melbourne, following is stint as Drive presenter.
Epstein’s new role comes after Virginia Trioli announced that she will farewell Mornings on Friday, 15 September.
Epstein has built a large and loyal following, keeping the Drive audience up-to-date and connected with what is happening in Melbourne at the end of each working day for the past 11 years.
Much-loved ABC Radio Melbourne regular Ali Moore will move into the Drive slot on Monday, 11 September, until the end of the year.
Acting manager for ABC Radio Melbourne, Mary-Jane Fenech said Epstein had been excellent company for the station’s audience during the drive-time commute.
“Since Raf took over Drive in 2012, he has put his audience at the centre of every conversation, delivering the latest news and thought-provoking interviews,” Fenech said.
“Raf helped Melbourne navigate the pandemic years. He gave a voice to the audience by asking the questions that needed answering during the daily covid press conferences and he provided companionship through lockdowns. We are thrilled to welcome Raf to Mornings and know he is going to be Melbourne’s champion each weekday from 8.30am. And it’s great to see Raf farewell his audience on a high, with a bump to Drive’s share and reach in this week’s survey.”
Epstein said he couldn’t wait to build on the powerful tradition of Mornings, encapsulated by Virginia Trioli.
“I will ask fearless questions and listen carefully to every answer. Interviews are crucial, but the most important voices are callers, who understand and care deeply about what happens next in our city and across the state.”
Epstein is an award-winning journalist and one of Australia’s most experienced and skilled investigative journalists.
Epstein has worked for both the ABC and Fairfax (now Nine) newspapers and has worked in Melbourne, Canberra, Sydney and Europe. Raf has won two Walkley awards for investigative reporting with his exposure in 2004 of links between corrupt police and underworld murders and his report in 2006 that exonerated Dr Mohammed Haneef, who had been held under anti-terrorism laws.
Raf’s last Drive show will be next Friday 8 September. He will start on Mornings on Monday 18 September.
Ali Moore has been a familiar voice to ABC listeners for more than three decades. She began her career as a journalist with the ABC Radio and News team, later becoming the ABC’s China correspondent. On her return to Australia, Ali joined ABC TV before moving to Channel Nine’s Business Sunday program as a reporter and later host of the program.
Moore rejoined the ABC in 2006 as inaugural host of Lateline Business and later as co-host of Lateline. Ali also spent four years with the BBC, based in Singapore. Since 2008, she has been a regular presenter at ABC Radio Melbourne, returning frequently to host local radio and earning the respect and trust of the audience.
Fenech said: “We know that Ali will bring her razor-sharp wit to Drive, ensuring that the Melbourne audience is on top of everything that is happening in our city. Ali can ask the tough questions whilst also bringing her warmth and sense of fun to any program she presents.”
See also: Virginia Trioli leaves ABC radio, returning to TV with a new arts show
–
Top image: Raf Epstein