To borrow the title of the program they used to run nationally during the summer period on DAB/Online in alt of the cricket when DAB first started, “It’s Just Not Cricket” for them to not let their countrymen know what’s going on - if it’s a backtracking of an initial decision for the season just say so! It’s our ABC after all!
By the way can we say countrymen anymore? Countrypeople just sounds weird to me though.
Saturday 7 December
Tim Webster presented Saturday Breakast in Sydney, and will present the statewide Weekend Morning show tomorrow - Newcastle Saturday Breakfast presenter Scott Bevan did today’s statewide Weekend Morning show.
Chris will begin his stint on Monday.
Monday 9 December - Friday 13 December
Michael Hing will be filling in for James Valentine on NSW Afternoon’s, while Dom Knight will continue to present Sydney’s Drive program.
In Hobart, Kylie Baxter will be presenting Drive filling in for Lucy Breaden.
In Perth, Christian Horgan will be filling in for Mark Gibson on Breakfast, Michelle Stanley will be filling in for Nadia Mitsopoulos, Amber Cunningham will be filling in for Michael Tetlow on Afternoons, and Andrew Collins will be filling in for Jo Trilling on Drive.
In Brisbane, Spencer Howson will be filling in for Craig Zonca and Loretta Ryan on Breakfast, while Cathie Schnitzerling will be filling in for Ellen Fanning on Drive. Ashwin Segkar will be hosting evenings following Rebecca Levingston’s final program last Thursday.
Matt has given an exclusive interview to Sunday Herald Sun’s Fiona Byrne, saying he decided to leave the ABC to give himself more time to chase opportunities that sparked his curiosity, “like swimming from Albania to the Greek island of Corfu”. Matt’s final show is Saturday, December 14.
“I have had an amazing three years talking about so much more than food,” Preston said.
“Live (radio) is a totally new skill for me, so that has been a big challenge, but I have been able to talk to the most amazing array of people from a whole different selection of worlds, as well as have the immediate interaction with listeners both on the phone line or on the text line.
Mumbrella’s Nathan Jolly has written an opinion piece on the recent exit of older presenters from ABC stations around Australia.
Someone should launch a radio station with all the recently dumped ABC talent
Kim Williams’ focus on attracting younger audiences is presented as a noble pursuit. He said he hopes his new generation of ABC talent will “understand intuitively how their contemporaries consume and think about the media, and know best how to reach them with appropriate expression and perspective on their favoured and rapidly changing platforms”.
This would be great, but it might just come at the expense of its older audiences – it’s certainly come at the expense of the older talent.
The younger generation of workers that Williams is trying to attract might also note the recent shabby treatment of those who have built the ABC over decades of service, at a percentage of the pay received by their commercial counterparts, and decide they want no part of it.
After all, if you get booted on the way out the door, regardless of where you work, you may as well take the money. It makes for a good cushion.
Justin Smith filling in for Rafael Epstein on ABC Melbourne Mornings today.
Spencer Howson back on ABC Breakfast after 8 years filling in over Christmas.
He’s back! 
Also, Tim Webster is presenting Mornings today and tomorrow (various presenters from Wednesday). Michael Hing is doing Afternoons this week.
Despite Robbie saying last night that he would be back next Sunday, guides now list a national weekend evenings program will be filling the slot.
In Adelaide, Jules Schiller is now on his summer break - Sonya Feldholf still on deck this week before also heading off for the summer break.
I notice ABC Shepparton(97.7) was getting ABC Sydney instead of Australia Wide tonight
Emma Crowe is presenting Sydney’s mornings today and tomorrow - Tim Webster listed for Thursday, and Friday is Various Presenters.
Also in SA, drive was statewide with Regional Drive presenter Narelle Graham. Jo Laverty will be back in Adelaide today.
Justin again hosting Mornings today, although ABC Melbourne website still lists Rafael as the presenter.
In the letter, seen by Guardian Australia, journalists say the decision to remove Sydney presenters Sarah Macdonald and Simon Marnie had been made without consultation or explanation. The strategy to improve ratings has not been communicated, apart from that it needs a refresh, and staff are bewildered and concerned.
Sarah Macdonald, whose contract ends on Friday, has been on stress leave since revealing on air she had been axed after three years on the mornings shift.
“This is a public relations disaster on so many on many levels,” the staff say, adding: “We observe that four deeply experienced broadcasters will leave at the same time, this talent and trust cannot be easily and quickly rebuilt.”
Now been updated to list Justin until at least Thursday - Friday still TBC but will likely be Justin.
Emma will also be presenting Saturday Breakfast in Sydney
Heard the last hour of Sammy J’s live broadcast outside Melbourne Museum this morning. Guests included Melbourne Lord Mayor Nick Reece, Alice Zaslavsky, Jon Faine, Museum Victoria CEO Lynley Crosswell, and Sammy’s two daughters. Sammy also performed a song to the tune of Taylor Swift’s Blank Space, with lyrics featuring things that could only be seen in Melbourne, as submitted by listeners.
EDIT: the full show is available here.
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan will appear on Sammy’s final show tomorrow.
Recent events at ABC Radio Sydney “have left staff bewildered and concerned” and feeling that their trust relationship with the audience “is being abused and ignored,” according to a letter from station staff to the ABC Board.
The letter has been leaked to radioinfo and several other media outlets.
ABC Chairman Kim Williams is expected to meet with staff representatives some time this week to discuss the matter.
Update - looks like Sarah won’t be back for a final show on Friday - Emma Crowe is now listed.
Paul Gough filled in for Caroline today who was away sick - Spence Denny filled in yesterday.
Tonight, Victoria is getting the NSW & ACT Evenings program with Renee Krosch
Now lists Justin for tomorrow
Monday 16 December - Friday 20 December
In Sydney, Chris Taylor will continue to host Breakfast, while Kathryn Robinson will be hosting Mornings
In Adelaide, Paul Gough will be presenting Mornings
The Sydney guides currently list Joel Spreadborough and Katherine Feeney as presenting Afternoons and Drive - both are based in Brisbane, so it’s likely that these are national programs. Evenings lists Andrea Ho, who is usually the fill in on the NSW & ACT program - however, based on previous years is most likely a national program as well. Still waiting on guides in other states and territories to be available or be updated with summer presenters, so will update once I can access them or they are updated.
Emma mentioned at the start of the program that Sarah was unable to present today’s program, but will be on the show after 10:30am
Williams said he had an “open and constructive discussion” with the delegation.
“A free-flow exchange ensued where issues and concerns were identified, and candid responses were offered,” Williams said.
“I welcomed the collegiate spirit and the passion for the produced work and audiences evident throughout our discussion. Nothing further to say.”
702 ABC Radio Sydney Mornings presenter Sarah Macdonald has farewelled listeners after 2 years presenting the program and 8 years with the ABC.
Sarah leaves the program today, thanking audiences for the love and support they have shown over the last few weeks. “I am immensely proud of what I and the team have achieved on the show in the last two years and I am overwhelmed by the love and support I have received since I announced I would not be back next year.
Sarah said: “I thank the ABC for the opportunity to connect with the most wonderful, funny, caring, intelligent people that have formed the mornings community at 702. They have taught me something new every day and it’s been honour to share the stories of Sydney and the world with such loyal and loving listeners.
“From homeless people to truck drivers, from CEOs to political leaders, from rock stars to living local legends on dog walks, in the garden, while working, in the car and on public transport we all came together to chat with candour, respect and kindness.
“I thank and love these listeners more than words can say and I’m rarely without words.
“I thank my brilliant producers who built the show with me. I will miss my wonderful colleagues at 702 and I wish them all the best.”
ABC Director Audio Ben Latimer said: “On behalf of the ABC and our audience, I would like to express my sincere thanks to Sarah for her time presenting on 702.
“In her 8 years with the network, Sarah has demonstrated her ability to connect with audiences across our schedule – from Weekend Nightlife to Evenings and for the past two years, Mornings.
“Sarah is a fantastic broadcaster and a wonderful colleague. We wish her all the best on whatever is to come next for her.”
