After 26 years hosting 702 ABC Radio Sydney’s Drive program, presenter, journalist and author Richard Glover has announced he’s stepping away from the mic.
Glover began hosting Drive on 702 ABC Radio Sydney in 1998.
Earlier this year Richard Glover was among the first ABC Sydney-based broadcasters to make the move to the new Paramatta broadcast facility. Many of the ABC staff have campaigned against the move.
Nine Publishing reported at the time: An ABC spokesperson said the decision to house the full ABC Radio Sydney team in Parramatta had been made to ensure operational efficiency and a cohesive broadcast unit.
The SMH added: While Glover was one of the first presenters to broadcast from Parramatta, he initially requested more time for he and his team at Ultimo. He said the letter was about accommodating very occasional special guests in Ultimo, not regular jaunts.
“I really am not a campaigner on the issue. I just whinge about the lack of bins!” Glover said.
Other broadcasters who have either swapped timeslots or left the station in recent years include Wendy Harmer and Robbie Buck, James Valentine, Indira Naidoo, Chris Bath, and Josh Szeps.
Richard Glover first joined the ABC in 1996, presenting Mornings and before that worked at The Sydney Morning Herald, where he was arts editor, news editor and for a time, European correspondent. He has been nominated for three Walkley Awards – two for print, and one for radio.
Glover is the author of a number of books, including the memoir Flesh Wounds and the bestseller The Land Before Avocado.
In 1998 Glover started his weekly Thank God It’s Friday radio segment before adding a live studio audience to the show in 2009.
Of the decision to leave Glover said in a statement: “It’s been a tough decision, but I’ve decided to leave the ABC Radio Sydney Drive show after 26 years, finishing at the end of November.
“It’s one of the best jobs in Australian journalism, and I feel I’ve hogged it for long enough. It has a terrific audience – funny, wise, full of intellect but also willing to share some of the deeper stories of being human. The program also offers the chance to do anything. Every afternoon we have politics, literature, music and comedy, all jockeying for position.”
Of what’s next, Glover added: “Sometime in the future, there may be new opportunities for me at the ABC, but in the short-term I plan to keep writing my column for The Sydney Morning Herald, attempt another book and dote over my three grandchildren. I also plan to get my knees done (after years of boring my listeners with my problems.)
“I’ll miss the listeners, of course, but also my fabulous colleagues at 702 ABC Radio Sydney – radio’s best team.”
Glover’s final program will be a Thank God It’s Friday special event on November 29 featuring Wendy Harmer, Tommy Dean and Tahir, with music from The Backsliders.