Hamish Macdonald, the former Q+A host and current Radio National and The Project presenter has been confirmed as the new Mornings host on 702 Radio Sydney.

Macdonald replaces Sarah Macdonald, who was unceremoniously dumped from her post after two years of underwhelming ratings, despite having strong support from the station’s employees and core listening audience. He will present the show four days a week, while Kathryn Robinson will host on Fridays.

While rumoured for some time as the replacement in the coveted slot, Hamish Macdonald had requested a period of grace after the staff and listener uproar at the sacking of his predecessor. It was unusual for a show’s host to remain unconfirmed by mid-January.

The station’s ratings will come under significant scrutiny this year due to the highly publicised changes at the end of 2024, prompting a meeting between chair Kim Williams and a delegation of some of the station’s staff, who raised concerns about its direction under new management.

The station is also under new management, with Katrina Palmer, a former producer for some of ABC Radio Melbourne’s most famous shows, returning to the broadcaster as Sydney station manager. A former radio executive, Palmer produced shows for Jon Faine, Red Symons and Virginia Trioli.

She replaces Steve Ahern, who quietly left Radio Sydney in mid-2024.

Hamish Macdonald said he wanted to first and foremost pay tribute to the hard work and dedication of his predecessor. “I know these are big shoes to fill,” he said.

This marks one of the largest periods of change in Radio Sydney’s history. Craig Reucassel, appointed just one year ago as Breakfast host is relatively new in radio terms, and still building his audience. Chris Bath has returned to the station after several years, having departed as Evenings host in 2017. She replaced Richard Glover on Drive, who left after 26 years. Weekend Mornings presenter Simon Marnie was also removed at the end of last year.

Hamish Macdonald was a recognisable voice for the station’s listeners for some time, filling the Mornings slot for the past two years, before stints as Evenings presenter.

The station delivered one of its worst years on record from a ratings perspective in 2024. The ABC has re-emphasised its focus on radio under Williams, breaking its audio division back out as its own standalone division, led by former Nova executive Ben Latimer who joined the broadcaster 18 months ago.

Weekend Mornings presenter Marnie also left the station, replaced on Saturdays by former Chaser Dom Knight and Sundays by technology journalist Rae Johnston.

Explaining the changes to staff, Latimer said the ABC is focused on finding ways to engage new audiences while building deeper connections to its already loyal listeners.

“Change is never easy and of course the impact on some of our colleagues is difficult,” Latimer said in November.

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