Newcastle will wake up with Nick, Jess and Simon on Hit 106.9 in 2018

Hit 106.9 Newcastle’s breakfast team will be joined by Jess Farchione next year, after the station announced she’d be moving across from her current role on Hit 96.9 in Shepparton, Victoria.

She will team up with Simon Baggs and Nick Gill in a new look trio on the Novacastrian station, replacing Sophie Tiller who parted ways with the station at the back end of November.

Farchione is a great get, having won Best Newcomer On-Air at the 2017 ACRA Awards.

“Jess is a very much an up and comer,” SCA Newcastle group content director Mike Byrne told Radio Today.

“She’s smart, funny and just a really good egg. She’ll bring a sharp wit, unique observations and with a surname like Farchione… hopefully she’ll bring some excellent Italian treats like Tiramisu and Cannoli.”

Tiller will undoubtedly be missed, but Byrne can see Farchione getting up to speed with the nuances of Newcastle’s audience quickly.

“Newie is a parochial town but it’s also very welcoming.

“Jess, like all the guys and girls who move here will undergo the usual SCA Newcastle induction (or hazing as we like to call it).

“This usually includes a swim in the Bogey Hole, a selfie with the giant Penis Tower and sampling every cocktail on the menu at the Merewether Surf House. She’s already two thirds of her way there.”

After filling in for Gill during parts of 2017, Byrone explained that the station struggled with the thought of parting ways with Simon Baggs.

“Simon has added incredible energy to the Hit106.9 Breakfast Show since joining earlier this year, and after seeing him dressed in drag in support of Marriage Equality we couldn’t let him go,” he added.

“I’ve felt so welcomed by the people of this amazing city… I can’t wait to wake up Newcastle every day and I’m so excited to welcome Jess to the Hit106.9 family,” said Baggs.

“I haven’t heard one bad thing about Newcastle, so keep those things to yourself thanks!” said Farchione.

“I’m so excited to be joining Nick and Simon in 2018.”