Craig Hamilton and Kia Handley farewell ABC Radio Newcastle

ABC Radio Newcastle sports commentator Craig Hamilton and Drive presenter Kia Handley will farewell listeners this week. 

Kia will finish on Friday, 18 August and Craig finishes on Saturday 19 August.

Both broadcasters have decided to finish their ABC roles to pursue other interests. 

Craig started in 1995 with ABC’s Sideline Eye weekend NRL program and has commentated NRL games since, including Grand Final and State of Origin matches. 

Of all games called, the Newcastle Knights Grand Final win over Manly in 1997 was the career highlight. 

“There was something very special about that day,” he said. 

“The impact that win had on the entire region, not just the city of Newcastle, cannot be underestimated. It gave the people of the Hunter region a massive lift after what had been a particularly rough time.” 

Since being diagnosed with bipolar 23 years ago, Craig has advocated for mental health awareness and will pursue a new career in the sector. 

Over the past four years, Kia has worked at ABC Radio Newcastle’s Mornings and Drive programs. 

She studied Journalism at the University of Canberra and worked for regional newspapers and commercial radio before joining the ABC. 

ABC Newcastle’s Local Editor, Lucia Hill, said the station was saddened to see the broadcasters leave the ABC. 

“Craig has been with the ABC for more than 20 years, presenting his entertaining and irreverent Saturday Breakfast program to a very loyal band of listeners,” she said. 

“They especially love his taste in music, his cheeky sense of humour, and his passion for the region and the Knights.

“He will be deeply missed by his listeners and colleagues alike as he pursues an exciting new career in the mental health sector, an area very dear to his heart and one he has been very proactive in advocating for.  

“Kia’s bubbly personality and unbridled enthusiasm have been embraced by the local ABC audience since she joined us in 2019.

“She has very capably presented the statewide morning program and the local drive program and connected communities with her effervescent personality and genuinely inquisitive nature. 

Both Craig and Kia will be sorely missed by colleagues and audience members alike.” 

Replacements for Craig and Kia are yet to be revealed.