Hamish Macdonald will replace Sarah Macdonald as host of ABC Radio Sydney’s Mornings program, two months after listeners and staff reacted angrily to the axing of the popular female presenter.
In November Sarah Macdonald revealed on air that her contract would not be renewed after two years in the slot, sparking a backlash and delaying the announcement of a replacement.
On Tuesday the ABC confirmed that Hamish Macdonald will host the program four days a week, while the journalist Kathryn Robinson will present the show on Fridays.
“First and foremost I’d like to pay tribute to the hard work and dedication of Sarah Macdonald,” Hamish Macdonald said. “I know these are big shoes to fill.”
“I’m looking forward to putting my head down, getting to work from Monday and serving the wonderful 702 audience in what will be a huge year of news for Sydney.”
Macdonald will continue to appear on Channel Ten’s The Project, where he is a long-term presenter.
He will also keep his two ABC Radio National shows, Take Me to Your Leader and Global Roaming, which he co-hosts with Geraldine Doogue.
Dom Knight will host Friday Drive and Saturday Mornings, while the science and technology journalist Rae Johnston will present Sunday Mornings.
The newly appointed 702 ABC Radio Sydney manager, Katrina Palmer, said the station was deeply connected to audiences across Australia’s largest city.
“In 2025 we will build on these connections in new and meaningful ways and I’m eager to get started from ABC Radio Sydney’s new home in Parramatta,” she said.
The announcement comes after 702 staff wrote an angry letter to ABC radio management about the decision to remove the Sydney presenters Macdonald and Simon Marnie without consultation or explanation.
Sarah Macdonald expressed her disappointment on air. “Well, here’s the news from me in terms of disappointment,” she said.
“Listen, 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 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.”
The new radio schedule was drawn up by Ben Latimer, who heads the new audio division which houses the catchup radio and podcast service, ABC Listen.
The division includes capital city local radio stations, sport, music, audio on demand, Radio National, ABC Classic, ABC Jazz, Triple J, Triple J Unearthed, Triple J Hottest 100, Double J and ABC Country.
