Raf Epstein to replace Virginia Trioli on ABC Radio Melbourne
Raf Epstein will replace Virginia Trioli as host of ABC Radio Melbourne’s morning show, following Trioli’s announcement yesterday she was leaving radio.
In turn, the station’s regular guest Ali Moore will replace Epstein in the Drive slot from 11 September until the end of the year.
Epstein
Epstein said he couldn’t wait to build on the powerful tradition of Mornings established by Trioli.
“I will ask fearless questions and listen carefully to every answer. Interviews are crucial, but the most important voices are callers, who understand and care deeply about what happens next in our city and across the state,” he said.
In a message to listeners published on ABC’s website, Trioli said she informed ABC Radio’s Melbourne management in April of her intention to step down.
As flagged on air yesterday, Trioli’s last show will be on Friday, September 15, before she moves to ABC Television to present a new prime-time arts show from 2024.
Trioli
As for her reasons, she cited the experience of dealing with multiple illnesses in the family and “the realisation that you’re lucky if you get even one warning about how long you have on this earth with the people you love”.
“I now find myself at that stage of life that requires me to live and work in a different way,” she wrote.
“And after almost 20 years of working to the hardest alarms that the ABC has to offer … it’s a change that feels unavoidable for me right now.”
Trioli made the move from television to radio in 2019, taking over the Melbourne morning radio slot from Jon Faine, who chose to not renew his contract.
“From the moment I took on this role, I’ve been welcomed, challenged, cheered on, scolded and admonished by an incredibly well-informed, engaged and passionate radio audience – one I have known and loved since my very first days in broadcast media in 1999,” said Trioli.
“ABC Radio Melbourne and its audience is a family like no other: I’m so lucky to have been a part of it.”
Epstein’s last drive show will be next Friday, 8 September. He will start on Mornings on 18 September.
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Darcy Song was a reporter at Mumbrella, covering media owners, adtech and social platforms. She left in October 2023.
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Well after many decades I won’t be listening to ABC of a morning any more. RAF Epstein constantly interrupts guests, speaks over people, makes sure his opinion is heard and when interviewing out of the studio makes sure he us the centre of attention.
Poor choice ABC
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Totally agree.
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