Liz Hayes revealed a surprise career move on Monday, following her shock exit from Nine after 44 years.
The former Under Investigation host, 68, quietly announced early last month she was leaving the station, confirming mounting speculation she would quit after her eponymous true crime series was axed last year.
Now, wellness company Wanderlust has announced on Instagram the journalist is set to host its speaking event True North in Melbourne on June 12 and Sydney on June 15.
Liz will be working the event alongside guest speaker American star Jane Fonda, with tickets starting at $79 and platinum VIP tickets going for an eye-popping $549.
‘Welcoming the wanderful [sic] @lizhayesofficial as host of the upcoming Wanderlust True North, her gift for deep, inspiring conversations will make for an unforgettable and insightful evening with @janefonda,’ the post read.
Liz announced her departure from Nine last month after her four decades-long career at the network made her a household name.
Liz Hayes, 68, (right) revealed a surprise career move on Monday, as wellness company Wanderlust announced the journalist is set to host its speaking event True North in Melbourne on June 12 and Sydney on June 15 with US star Jane Fonda (left)
‘When I arrived at Nine I had little more than a notebook and a typewriter, but like my new and far more experienced colleagues, I carried with me an enormous passion for telling stories,’ she said in a statement.
‘I was blessed. I had found my tribe. Even Nine’s owner at the time, Kerry Packer, seemed to carry the same passionate story telling gene.
‘Of course since then much has changed. The media world has evolved as have I. What hasn’t changed is the need for good stories to be told, and I will continue to tell them.
‘I leave Nine grateful for the decades of experience, the wonderful friendships that have endured and deeply appreciative to the many people who trusted me to tell their stories.’
Renowned as one of the better interviewers on Australian television, she has questioned Prime Ministers and politicians, influential business people, Hollywood actors, music legends, and world-class athletes.
In a video posted on her Instagram, Liz revealed she had been weighing up the move for some time.
‘I made the decision last year because I felt it was time to move to the beat of a different drum—my own,’ she said.
‘I have had the most extraordinary life, telling wonderful stories, working with brilliant people and an audience that, thank you, you have hung in there with me.
The former Under Investigation host quietly announced early last month she was leaving the station, confirming mounting speculation she would quit after her eponymous true crime series was axed last year
‘And I’m hoping you’ll still hang around—because I’m not going anywhere.
‘I’m still passionate about telling stories and I plan to tell many more.
‘So this is not goodbye this is the beginning of what I see as a great, new exciting chapter in my life. See you soon.’
It is understood Nine’s influential director of television, Michael Healy, was loath to lose Liz and did everything in his power to keep the highly revered, award-winning reporter at the channel.
Although she was offered significant incentives and a sizeable contract to stay on, Daily Mail Australia understands she had grown frustrated by the current set-up at 60 Minutes and did not want to remain on the program.
‘Liz Hayes is an Australian television legend and has dedicated most of her career to Nine, she will leave an undeniable legacy,’ Mr Healy said.
‘Her many accomplishments speak volumes about the type of journalist she is—tenacious, a truth seeker, and above all, a storyteller.
‘I’d like to recognise Liz for the impact she has had on Australian journalism and thank her for all she has done for Nine over the past 44 years.’
