A raft of changes have been introduced across ABC Radio today. But there is one change that is dominating the conversation in Sydney – the axing of ABC Sydney morning announcer Sarah Macdonald.
The former host of the ABC radio evenings made the change to breakfast in 2023, the same time James Valentine turned up to host breakfast. Valentine lasted just one year in breakfast before moving back to drive.
Sarah Macdonald announces her sacking
Macdonald has lasted two years in the morning timeslot. She started her program in cheery fashion this morning with her usual weather updates before getting to the topic of the day – the Sydney train strike. She also noted at the start of the show she would have some news about herself after 9am. This is how it went:
In terms of disappointment, I’m not going to be on the radio with you next year. The ABC has decided not to renew my contract here at Mornings.
I have absolutely loved sharing the mornings with you and the evenings and the wee small hours of the nightlife. 702 listeners, you just rock. You are so wise. You are so savvy. You are so thoughtful. You are so interesting. You are surprising. You are funny.
You have taught me something every day in this job. You have made me laugh. You have made me cry. You have changed my perspective on things and expanded my mind. It has been such an honour and such a privilege to share your stories and your lives. I will miss telling the stories of Sydney, but as Dorothy said before she clicked her ruby slippers I will miss you most of all scarecrows. Along with my brillianr mornings munchins Mikala, Lyndall and recently Hanna and all of my 702 friends here – we are a family. Now, I’m going to leave in a few weeks.
Sarah Macdonald
I am proud of what I’ve done. The ratings are up. I’ve broken lots of stories. Had the first interview with the new Governor-General. I got the Premier of New South Wales to regularly take your calls, led the election coverage, led the move to our Parramatta studios.
I feel chuffed that the Fonz told me I was cool. I’m wearing the pink jumpsuit again today for Henry.
I’ve been called Sydney’s Jennifer Aniston that was a highlight and I got the Prime Minister to fanboy Debbie Harry live on the radio. Where else do you get to do that?
I’m going be around till mid-December so there’s lots of time to share with you until then as Bill Shorten says, everyone gets replaced.
The new person will be announced very soon they’re very lucky because they get to be with you and I wish them all the best.
ABC revolving door – who’s out the exit next?
Regular listeners of ABC Sydney must be getting dizzy as they try to keep up with the changes at the radio station. In the past two years, there have been weekday changes to breakfast, mornings, afternoon, drive and evenings.
The changes today came just hours before Richard Glover revealed his drive replacement would be Chris Bath.
ABC Sydney’s longest-serving hosts are on the weekend. Should Simon Marnie or Ian “Macca” McNamara be worried about their futures? [Update: Daily Telegraph reporting Marnie is departing the broadcaster too!]
Management backlash
The ABC executives making the decisions about Sydney radio hosts have copped a hammering today.
Outgoing Media Watch host Paul Barry said: “I can’t believe this. I’m hearing that ABC has dumped Sarah Macdonald from ABC Sydney. IMHO she’s brilliant, one of the best things on radio. WTAF?”
Australian Story producer Lisa McGregor added, “In shock that @ABCaustralia has not renewed Sarah Macdonald’s contract on @ABC Radio Sydney. She’s lively, warm, informed, an excellent interviewer. She can do hard and soft news, pop culture & human stories. What on earth is the reason ABC? Bad decision.”
Author Nikki Gemmell said, “An appalling decision by #abcradio to not renew the contract of Sarah Macdonald. Why do so many of the old men of radio at the ABC seem to stay, and stay, and stay … but its blazingly capable, whip smart women are sidelined?”
Outgoing drive host Richard Glover said it is a great loss. “I don’t understand,” he said on his drive show. He noted how strong her ratings were. “Everyone goes on about Ray Hadley, but Sarah wasn’t far behind.” Glover also noted Macdonald got a standing ovation from staff who had gathered outside the studio when she finished her program this morning.