‘Overwhelmed by the love and support’: ABC’s Sarah Macdonald farewells her listeners after tumultuous exit
Popular ABC Radio Sydney Mornings presenter, Sarah Macdonald, has issued a heartfelt farewell to her listeners, after her shock axing from the station last month saw ABC staffers and listeners alike complain to management about the decision.
Macdonald hosted her final show this past Friday morning, after two years presenting the show, and eight years at the national broadcaster. She announced her pending departure in November, with the station receiving more than 2,000 angry texts from listeners that same day, and hundreds more flooding in each day over the subsequent weeks.
The fallout was so immense that ABC chair, Kim Williams, took the unprecedented approach of stepping in and meeting with staffers from ABC Radio Sydney, after he was sent a strongly worded missive expressing how they were “bewildered and concerned” by the decision, and “deeply disappointed” in the way it was handled.
Macdonald took the high road in her departure speech, while nodding to the efforts made over the past weeks to see her reinstated.
“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,” Macdonald 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 of audio, Ben Latimer, who was forced to issue a public statement about Macdonald’s removal after the backlash, said on Friday: “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 eight 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.”
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Nathan Jolly is the Features Editor at Mumbrella. He joined the team in July, 2023.
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