Dumped ABC star returns to airwaves for one final time and reveals shock new career move

Dumped ABC presenter Sarah Macdonald surprised fans when she returned to the airwaves this week and revealed her future plans.

The popular 58-year-old presenter was axed from her breakfast slot last month, but returned to air on Friday to discuss her new career path.

In a huge move away from radio, Sarah said she plans to shift her focus to online writing and plans to use the Substack platform to publish articles.

Signing off The Mornings show on Friday, Sarah promised fans would see her again as she vowed to ‘show up in new and different ways’.

“I have a little bit of peace and a little bit of quiet, but I’m also focusing on the future,” she said.

“It’s not goodbye, it’s see you later, talking to you somehow and being with people. I have an Instagram account for people to look at.”

“Maybe I’ll do some writing, I’ll do a Substack, but for now I just want to have a nice Christmas with my family,” she added.

Sarah is the author of several books, including the 2002 non-fiction bestseller Holy Cow an Indian Adventure, which has sold 70,000 copies.

Sarah also gave listeners an update on how she’s doing following her shock aggression, saying: ‘I’m doing well, it’s been a big few weeks.

‘When I said on air a few weeks ago that I would not be back next year and that ABC management decided not to renew my contract, I expected a reaction, but not what happened.

“It’s been so overwhelming, the love and support since that announcement. It was great. It’s been a lot.’

The ABC 702 star’s axing caused an uproar among fans, with thousands signing a petition to demand her return.

Sarah, who has been on leave since her three-week layoff, also opened up about why she has been off air since learning the ABC would not be renewing her contract.

‘I just had to keep quiet. And I just shouldn’t talk. And I had to retreat from the intensity of it all. “I have been almost silent,” she said.

Although her permanent replacement has not yet been revealed, Hamish Macdonald (pictured) has been tipped as the top contender to take over the breakfast show

‘I really felt the love, but I had to find my peace and strength. And I just didn’t feel like I could deliver a show that listeners deserve and expect.”

Sarah’s place was covered by presenters Tim Webster and Emma Crowe in her absence.

Although her permanent replacement has not yet been revealed, According to news.com.au, Hamish Macdonald has been tipped as the top contender to take over the breakfast show.

The rumor surfaced late last month, shortly after Sarah announced she had been fired from the Sydney program after more than 30 years with the national broadcaster.

Insiders claimed the 43-year-old journalist has the blessing of ABC boss Kim Williams, who succeeded Ita Buttrose as chairman of the national broadcaster in March.

Hamish is perhaps best known as the presenter of Network 10’s The Project and for his work on ABC Radio National’s RN Breakfast show.

Despite Sarah’s axing causing uproar among fans, ABC boss Williams said he fully supported Sarah’s departure as the ABC looks to revive its radio division under audio director Ben Latimer.

“Changes in the media are part of life,” he recently told the National Press Club in Canberra. “They are part of the programming fabric of all organizations.”

Hamish is perhaps best known for presenting Network 10’s The Project and for his work on ABC Radio National’s RN Breakfast show.

ABC staff were shocked by the measure when it was announced amid a series of sweeping changes at the taxpayer-funded service, and greeted the news with boos at their Sydney headquarters.

However, Williams was adamant that Sarah, who is well-liked and highly regarded throughout the industry, was not fired, just that her job was given to someone else.

“It is incorrect to say that Sarah Macdonald has been dismissed,” he said. ‘Her role has not been renewed. Conceptually they are different.

‘Similarly, management has determined that it wants to take that service in a different direction.

‘That decision is a management decision and I fully support our management in making relevant decisions about the direction and content of the services that the ABC provides.

‘So yes, I support that decision, I support the idea of ​​refreshment in the various services that the ABC offers.’

The ABC has reportedly been inundated with complaints since Sarah revealed she was aired live on her show last week.

“Well, here’s the news from me in terms of disappointment,” she told her listeners.

‘Next year I will no longer be on the radio with you, the ABC has decided not to renew my contract here at Mornings. I’m proud of what I’ve done. The viewing figures have increased..