End of an era as Gail Watson farewells 3AW after 17 years

Gail Watson. Image supplied

A very familiar radio voice is about to disappear from the 3AW airwaves, with newsreader Gail Watson departing the Melbourne talkback station after almost 17 years.

Following a recent restructure, Gail – who has been 3AW’s News Director since 2013 – decided the time was right to explore life’s next challenge.

Gail tells Radio Today “An opportunity came up and I thought ‘Time to put something else on the resume.’ I thought ‘If not now, when?’”

Today is Gail’s last day at the station, and it’s been quite the build-up.

“It’s like a rollercoaster. You sort of feel sick one moment and then you’re looking forward to what’s next. Which is like radio news, I guess!”

“Tuesday was a tough day, because I had to tell all my team. That was very difficult. But once I did that, everything was out in the open and I’m feeling good right now.”

Last night, Gail’s radio colleagues turned out in force for a farewell party in her honour.

Previously the Breakfast news presenter at Brisbane’s 4BC, in 2009, Gail moved to Melbourne to take up a senior journalist role at 3AW.

In 2018, Gail made Radio Today’s list of Australia’s greatest AM newsreaders.

Still widely considered one of the country’s most outstanding radio news presenters, the warmth in Gail’s voice and conversational style of delivery have long been goals to which many young journalists aspire.

In recent years, she has also worked as a sessional teacher with RMIT journalism students to produce news for Melbourne’s 3RRR.

Over the years, Gail has certainly done her fair share of Breakfast shifts but, as a self-confessed ‘morning person,’ the early alarms have never fazed her.

Gail says getting through the Covid years as a radio news team remains one of the standout memories of her time at 3AW.

“I said to the guys after we sort of got through the worst of it ‘Thanks for turning up.’ Because I think, at a time when everyone else was being allowed to go home and work from home, in radio – we were the only people in the building for about four or five years.”

“Covid was a challenge on so many levels.”

As to what she’ll miss most about her 3AW job, Gail says “I love the reading. Even from when I was in high school, giving presentations, using my voice. Hopefully I’ll find some other opportunities to do that as well.”

She’ll also miss the challenge of timed-out news bulletins.

“I love getting my time-outs right. It’s that one little thing – getting out right on the dot! No-one else is going to give you a pat on the back for it. I guess it’s that little game you play with yourself.”

She’ll also miss the deadlines and the adrenaline. But most of all, she’ll miss her newsroom colleagues.

“I loved walking in at 4 o’clock in the morning and having a chat about the news of the day.”

And the feeling is certainly mutual.

3AW stalwart Denis O’Kane says over his many years in the radio news business, Gail stands tall in his admiration.

“Gail has not only been an outstanding leader of a team of journalists at 3AW but a News Director who displayed fairness, showed compassion when required and did not hesitate in keeping us all in check.”

“Gail’s calm demeanour instilled confidence in the team , always reliable in tackling sometimes difficult and challenging stories.”

3AW Breakfast newsreader David Armstrong says Gail is, quite simply, one of the best news people he has ever worked with.

“An attentive manager and a fair and balanced reporter, with one of the sweetest voices on radio.”

“I am lucky to count her as a good friend.”

3AW Police Reporter Madelaine Burke says “Gail’s leadership, integrity and unwavering commitment to quality journalism have shaped not just our newsroom, but each of us personally.”

“She set the tone for everything we did, with kindness and professionalism.”

“We will miss you, Gail!”

Images supplied.