Brigitte Duclos’ radio return and the importance of valuing women with life experience

From Triple M’s Grill Team to The Cage, she’s been part of some of Melbourne radio’s most iconic on-air line ups.

For thirty years, radio has been a passion for Brigitte Duclos. It’s her heart and soul. And it was only when she began filling in for Matt Preston on Saturdays at the ABC that she realised how much she missed it.

Now, she’s returning to the medium she loves in the city that is her home, hosting Afternoons on 774 ABC Melbourne in 2025.

“I am so looking forward to getting back behind the mic to deliver a show that informs, excites and, most of all, focuses on the topics important to Melbourne,” she says.

“The ABC listeners are the soul of this city and I look forward to them sharing their stories, struggles and triumphs.”

When her role as co-host of the Brig & Lehmo Breakfast Show on Gold 104.3 came to an end in 2015, Duclos truly thought her radio days were over.

As she recently told the Herald Sun (subscription required) “I did a couple of fill-ins on Triple M, which was a bit of fun, but I really did think that was it.”

Now, just a few days shy of her 60th birthday, Duclos is embarking on a new chapter in her media career.

“I hate to think that women are done and dusted just because they are getting older and this is a really good example, and full credit to the ABC, where they value women with life experience and what they have to offer.”

Kicking off her media career at Channel Ten back in 1986, Duclos was among the first female sports journalists in Australia.

In 1992, Duclos took on the role of newsreader for The Richard Stubbs Breakfast Show on Triple M Melbourne.

With her engaging personality, sense of fun and ability to easily hold her own in often ‘blokey’ surrounds, within four months she was part of the on-air team.

Since then, she has been a beloved fixture in some of Australian radio’s most memorable shows, and remains as down to earth as anyone you’ll ever meet.

Reuniting with her former Cage co-host Mike Fitzpatrick – who is now Head of Capital City Radio Network and Sport at the national broadcaster – Duclos will start presenting Afternoons over the summer break.

With current Afternoons presenter Trevor Chappell returning to his role as Overnights presenter and Bob Murphy and Sharnelle Vella taking over Breakfast, ABC Radio’s Acting Local Manager Shelley Hadfield says “We are excited to shake things up with this new line-up and we are confident that it will hold us in good stead to make sure that we remain the voice of Melbourne.”