It’s him and his partner/wife, they’re a two for one deal 
Agree and the bulletins sounded poor.
This, along with many inadequacies of the ABC should be reported to the appropriate ombudsman and minister’s office.
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And it was very well done. Great listening, excellent coverage which we need more of at 8am Sat and Sun.
So nice to see none of the usual bus nuts who flock to such events.
In a Venn diagram of gunzels to Mediaspy members, there is a large overlap.
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There was an ABC producer who once posted a callout on Facebook and asked for ‘Well Spoken’ gunzels….
yeah I actually feel ashamed these days… makes me regret how technically advanced the world has become because it’s turned everything into a cesspit, that’s my 10c though
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Your technology does have that habit of discourse becoming a cesspit.
‘Well spoken gunzels’ are as numerous as the 2SM audience 
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And to send @ElCapitanCranky into a spin…. Macca used an obvious AI song coming out of the 7am news on Sunday, which was quite badly cut….
I just dozed back to sleep
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Errrr… 
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Not sure where to put this but the Guardian has reported that James Valentine has passed away.
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Might’ve not been everyone’s taste, however, no one can deny he did have a loyal following in the afternoon slot from many listeners.
May he rest in peace.
Statement from family:
“James passed peacefully at home surrounded by his family, who adored him,” Valentine’s family said in a statement.
“Throughout his illness, James did it his way, which lasted all the way until the end when he made the choice to do Voluntary Assisted Dying.”
“Both he and his family are grateful he was given the option to go out on his own terms. He was calm, dignified as always and somehow still making us laugh.”
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ABC statement on the passing of James Valentine
The ABC is deeply saddened by the death of our colleague and friend James Valentine. James presented Afternoons on 702 ABC Radio Sydney for more than 20 years, becoming a trusted and familiar voice for generations of listeners.
We extend our heartfelt condolences to James’ wife Joanne and their two children, Ruby and Roy, as well as his family, friends and colleagues.
ABC Managing Director Hugh Marks reflected on James’ immense legacy saying, “For decades, James Valentine has been more than a presenter - he has been a trusted companion for so many people, part of the rhythm of everyday life for generations of our Sydney audience.
“James brought warmth, wit, and humanity to radio as an exemplar of radio craft. His style was never about confrontation or noise - it was always about connection. James turned his patch of the Sydney airwaves into a place of companionship, and his daily presence will be deeply missed by his significant audience, and all of his colleagues at the ABC.”
James began his media career in the mid-1980s, hosting cartoons on ABC TV’s The Afternoon Show. He went on to work across other ABC television programs before moving into radio at 666 ABC Radio Canberra and then Sydney Mornings.
In 1999, James found his true home at the ABC when he began presenting the Afternoons program on 702 ABC Radio Sydney, then known as 2BL. He held the role for more than two decades, with a brief detour presenting Breakfast in 2022 and 2023.
For most of those years on Afternoons, James handed over to Richard Glover on Drive. When James announced his retirement his great friend Richard said, "I can’t think of anybody else who really lifted the mood of a city over such a long time as James did.
"It was a daily effort to get people to concentrate on life, ordinary life, and how important and beautiful it is, and he did that every day for 25 years.
"So you end up sitting, listening to radio, thinking, 'Gee, Sydneysiders are funny and lively and witty and gorgeous.
"He brought that out in people.”
In 2024, James announced he would be taking time away from his program to receive treatment for oesophageal cancer and in February 2026 announced his retirement to focus on his health and his family. A special 2-hour retrospective program was broadcast on 6 February with James farewelling listeners and reflecting on treasured moments from his many years on air.
ABC Director of Audio Ben Latimer said James set an enduring standard for thoughtful, original broadcasting.
“James Valentine was kind, curious and endlessly creative. He treated listeners, callers and colleagues with the same respect and warmth and he believed deeply in radio as a place for ideas, experimentation and human connection.
“James was never afraid to try something new, to push the format and to have fun while doing it. He loved radio, he loved experimenting with it and he loved the sheer fun of making it every day. He demonstrated, more than anyone I can think of, that great radio can be smart, playful and deeply human all at once. His influence will be felt across the ABC for many years to come.”
Beyond broadcasting, James was a renowned saxophonist who recorded and toured with Jo Camilleri, Kate Ceberano, Wendy Matthews, and most notably The Models, featuring on the band’s two number-one hits and touring with them across the US and Europe. He was also a member of Jo Jo Zep and Absent Friends.
James continued to perform regularly around Sydney and at music festivals across Australia. He shared his passion for jazz with audiences as the presenter of ABC Jazz’s Upbeat since the program launched in 2020.
Outside the ABC, James was a familiar face on Australian television. He was the movie reviewer for many years on Showtime, a reporter and commentator on programs such as Sunrise, It Takes Two, Midday, Good Morning Australia, and TVTV. He also narrated the Lifestyle Channel’s Come Dine With Me Australia and contributed as a regular columnist across several publications.
Memorial arrangements and opportunities to honour James will be shared in the coming days.
Haven’t heard him much on radio but loved his wit and sarcasm when he hosted Media Bites in lieu of Paul Barry (who Valentine claimed was knocked off his bike by himself).
Vale.
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ABC Brisbane programs coming from Queen St Mall tomorrow Friday.
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In case anyone on this thread missed it, diabolical ratings result this morning for 774 ABC Melbourne.
Worst since 1963 according to @HUFF
Something needs to change.
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What can they do? They’ve tried so much in the last decade.
For a start, I think AM, The World Today and PM should be removed from 774’s schedule and be exclusive to RN, with only news bulletins separating the regular shows.
Extend breakfast to 8.30 or 9am.
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For some people they are the reason they listen to ABC local radio - news and current affairs. I think it would be a backward step.
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Was also noted a few years ago that in Adelaide and Sydney AM (and the 7:45am news before it was axed) were the peak audience times in those cities
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No one’s not listening to 774 breakfast because of AM. If anything AM’s constant cuts would have driven people away.
ABC radio is basically trapped between keeping their boomer audience happy before they die out or risk losing them, and appealing to millennials. Trying to appeal to both doesn’t work.
Saying that, if I had my way I’d make Breakfast the harder news show, put Raf and his format there. Then make Mornings lighter similar to how Breakfast is now.
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