What's New
BY RadioToday Network June 4, 2026
What's New April 4, 2025
End of an era as Huggy leaves GOLD 104.3 Mornings for Cruise 1323 Breakfast
Reporter
After more than three decades on GOLD 104.3, Craig ‘Huggy’ Huggins is leaving Mornings, and moving to Breakfast on Cruise 1323 in Adelaide.
Huggy is no stranger to Adelaide, having hosted Afternoons on Cruise since 2005.
In addition to his new breakfast role in Adelaide, Huggy will continue to be heard in Perth on 96FM’s Afternoon Drive.
As Huggy moves into his new role, the GOLD Network will introduce a revamped daytime lineup across GOLD 101.7 Sydney and GOLD 104.3 Melbourne from April 14.
Dave ‘Higgo’ Higgins will take over Mornings from 9am to 12pm, followed by Toni Tenaglia hosting Afternoons from 12pm to 3pm, and Steve Fitton leading Drive from 3pm to 6pm.
Huggy’s remarkable career in radio began at just 16 years of age when he joined Melbourne’s 3XY while still in high school.
He became a part of the GOLD 104.3 family (then KZ FM) on May 6, 1991, and for 34 years, has been a familiar and much-loved presence for listeners across Melbourne.
Huggy said “It’s been an incredible privilege to be part of this station for so many years. I’ve been lucky enough to work with some incredibly talented people both on-air and behind the scenes, play great music, and speak with the most passionate listeners.”
“We’ve shared a lot – the birth of my kids, the death of my parents, my mum when I was live on-air. Fabulous times, sad stories, amazing guests, and a lot of fun. While I’ll miss being part of Melbourne’s daily routine, GOLD is a special place to me, I’ve spent more than half my life here, and I look forward to filling in from time to time. I’m proud to be the last OG from when we became GOLD104.3 in October 1991.”
“Melbourne is my city, it always will be, but I’m ready to begin the next chapter. The listeners on Cruise 1323 have always been welcoming, and I’m eager to connect with them each morning while also entertaining Perth in the Afternoons.”
Head of GOLD Network Sue Carter said “Huggy has been an integral part of GOLD for more than three decades, and we are incredibly grateful for his dedication, passion, and the connection he has built with listeners over the years. His contributions have left a lasting impact on the station, and we sincerely thank him for everything he has given to GOLD 104.3. While we will miss him as a regular part of the team, we are pleased he remains part of the ARN family. His passion, talent, and ability to connect with listeners make him a great fit for Cruise 1323 Breakfast.”
Huggy’s final show on GOLD 104.3 will be on Friday, April 11.
He begins his new role at Cruise on Monday, April 28, but will continue to be heard on GOLD from time to time as a standby announcer.
WOAH! Wasn’t expecting that!
Great fit – won’t know how Melb networked into Syd will go though…
You could see this happening. Just the way the industry is going, more networking with one announcer across several frequencies. That’s why WS was changed to GOLD.
…and so, the networking between 101.7 Sydney and 104.3 Melbourne begins.
One wonders how long it’ll be until Rob Duckworth (who’s been “filling in” since Ugly Phil left for 2GB overnights) surfaces on Classic Hits 2UE?
Not to mention, an announcement that “our good friend” Christian O’Connell will be taking over the breakfast shift from Jonesy & Amanda on 101.7 in 2026…
I thought this would happen in 2026 not after survey ratings 1 where God in me3lbourne did so well I wonder how well will Dave Higgins and Toni Tenagila will do in Sydney and Steve Filton will go in Melbourne we can only wait and see
Huggy is one of our industry’s greats. Melbourne will miss him but he will always be a welcome presence wherever he goes. Best of luck mate!
Networked from Melbourne to Adelaide no doubt.
Great Choice for Cruise Breakfast.
well done Huggy, and a Cruise favourite from the start.
But he will be based in Melbourne most probably Adelaide radio is being gutted. When Huggy did afternoons on Cruise I turned off I’m live in Adelaide and want to hear local people NOT someone from interstate!!!!
I can’t believe people are focusing on the networking thing instead of celebrating an extraordinary achievement. 34 years primetime on one station in Melbourne is unbelievable, and Huggy’s morning shift is still #1FM on the #1FM station. I’m biased cos l know him, and I want to acknowledge how incredible that is. Well done mate.
It’s happening….
Christian probably will be doing breakfast next year in Sydney as well…
Jonesy & Amanda for MMM Sydney Breakfast….
Huggy is the heart & soul of our studios in Melbourne.
He is engaged.
Caring – he called a random staff member each week during COVID lockdown just to say hi & check in.
Relevant – after 34 years he still sounds like he gives a toss & loves the music (because he does)
Adelaide & Perth both gain.
We still get to have him as a colleague every day.
An amazing run Huggy. Tip of the hat sir!
To management of AustralianRadio network
You have not treated Craig Huggins very well at all a man who has served gold 104.3 well over three decades or more.
There will be many very angry listeners that will be lost to gold in Melbourne. I predict on Friday, April 11, 2025 at midday they will defect to North 100.
Why didn’t you consider signing someone from Adelaide to host cruise 1323 program? Well you did not I think because you weren’t willing to do this.
This man. This passionate, funny, genuinely talented master of his craft is the type of broadcaster and person every radio station would be privileged to have on staff. If you love our industry, and ever get a chance to meet him, or talk radio with him, go up and say hi. You will find a kindred spirit.
And radio continues to die a slow death. No wonder so many listen to their own playlists when localism is dying.
@Positive Spin: I can believe why people (myself included) are focusing on the networking, because Gold 104.3 made it to #1 in the Melbourne ratings during the most recent ratings survey and WSFM did during the penultimate of 2024. Could it be, that such results were achieved in part at least, due to a soon to be former point of difference live and local content until 6pm?
Which of course isn’t to say that 101.7 Sydney and 104.3 Melbourne don’t have strong brekky shows, but I wouldn’t mind predicting that Gold’s daytime ratings (in both markets) might fall off a bit in future surveys.
All while not much of note is happening in the weeknight and weekend timeslots on Gold, while Smooth absolutely clean them up in Sydney especially. It doesn’t seem much of a stretch to suggest that if 101.7 had a better level of output on weeknights/weekends (even if it were mostly networked and/or voice-tracked content as Smooth is now), they’d have better overall ratings.
WTF is happening with the Gold network ?
I usually listen to 2ST in Nowra for their music, but yesterday it was coming out of Sydney with the same 50 songs they play over and over in Sydney. Is this happening eleswhere?
@SydneyCityTV, so you’re okay that Smooth networks Sydney & Melbourne, but not Gold? Anyway, I agree with @Positive Spin. You should have your rant another time, closer to the Gold network starting. I’m sure there’ll be articles about it, and celebrate what this story is actually about, Huggy’s amazing career at one station. I just read, 13 times ACRA Finalist for Best Music Presenter (including the past two years), and Top 2 Finalist New York World Radio Awards 2022. His show is #1FM right now and has been for the past 5 years! Craig is not going to be on-air in Sydney anyway so that won’t affect you. Why not applaud a great radio person instead of making it about your agenda right now. And I hope @SydneyCityTV that you only watch locally made TV shows cos I’d hate to think you’re hypocritical.
Huggy,
34 years! That long, at any employer but especially as a radio announcer, is an excellent achievement, especially in this day and age.
The fact that you care about your job and what you bring to your listeners is a credit to you.
You have literally been part of Gold and the constant on my radio for my entire life, and it has been a massive comfort, especially during COVID and when other things changed.
But of course, change is indeed, the one constant in life. We will miss you, mate; good luck in ‘churches’ and Perth, and I hope to hear from you when you fill in some time.
Cruise 1323 music department needs a shake up , there are so many classic songs not being played . Whoever decided to only play 60 and 70 music is baffling as a lot of Cruise audience would relate to 80’s hits. Craig Huggins is an excellent performer but the removal of Dom Rinaldo robbed the station of a class announcer. How only 2 announcers can do the entire day is very odd , but i guess its all about money.