Another Sydney radio presenter has departed the ABC.
Robbie Buck announced he was leaving the ABC after almost 30 years with the public broadcaster.
The ABC Radio Sydney announcer told his audience on Monday live on-air that he was ‘stepping back.’
For the past 18 months, Buck has been the host of ABC’s Songs & Stories show, but was previously a fixture at the ABC’s national youth station, Triple J.
‘It’s a sad moment, I’ve got to say,’ Buck said.
‘I’m stepping back from the ABC somewhat, which is a big move for me.
Robbie Buck announced he was leaving the ABC after almost 30 years with the public broadcaster on Monday. Pictured
For the past 18 months, Buck has been the host of ABC’s Songs & Stories, but was previously a fixture at the ABC’s national youth station, Triple J. Pictured with Wendy Harmer
He continued: ‘I have been here over 28 years as a constant employee, and it’s been such a privilege to have been a part of this organisation.
‘I am hoping to still have a toe in the water here on the airwaves, and so I’m hoping to pop up from time to time, but it just seems like it’s the right time for me to step back.’
Buck’s departure comes amid a turbulent period on ABC’s radio desks after a string of high-profile stars have been let go in recent weeks amid a major hosting upheaval.
Last week, popular radio host Sarah Macdonald told listeners she was axed as ABC Radio Sydney’s mornings host after more than three decades with the broadcaster.
ABC boss Kim Williams, who succeeded Ita Buttrose as the national broadcaster’s chair in March, has since said he fully supported Macdonald’s exit as the ABC looks to revitalise its radio division under audio director Ben Latimer.
‘Changes in media are part of life,’ he told the National Press Club in Canberra on Wednesday. ‘They are part of the programming fabric of all organisations.’
Buck’s departure comes amid a turbulent period on ABC’s radio desks after a string of high-profile stars have been let go in recent weeks, including popular host Sarah Macdonald
ABC boss Kim Williams, who succeeded Ita Buttrose as the broadcaster’s chair in March, has since said he fully supported Macdonald’s exit as the ABC looks to revitalise its radio division
ABC staffers were shocked by the move when it was announced alongside a raft of sweeping changes at the taxpayer-funded service last Thursday, greeting the news with a round of boos in their Sydney headquarters.
However, Williams was adamant Macdonald, who is well-liked and highly regarded throughout the industry, was not fired – just that her job has been given to someone else.
‘It’s inaccurate to say that Sarah Macdonald has been sacked,’ he said.
‘Her role has not been renewed. They are different conceptually.
‘In a similar way, management has determined that it wishes to take that service in a different direction.
‘That decision is a management decision, and I fully support our management in making relevant decisions as to the direction and content of the services that the ABC provides.
‘So, yes, I do support that decision, I do support the notion of refreshment in the various services that the ABC offers.’
The ABC has reportedly been inundated with complaints since Macdonald revealed she had been given the boot live on-air on her show a few weeks ago.
‘Well, here’s the news from me in terms of disappointment,’ she told her listeners.
‘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.’