Fresh voices & familiar favourites in ABC Local Radio’s summer lineup

ABC Local Radio will welcome a mix of fresh and familiar voices to the airwaves this summer.

From Monday 22 December to Sunday 11 January, the summer schedule unites some of the nation’s most recognisable broadcasters with trusted local presenters for a lineup that celebrates connection and community.

Over summer, journalist and presenter Waleed Aly will host ABC Radio Mornings in all states and territories except Western Australia, bringing his insights and conversation to listeners from 22 December to 9 January.

Jess Ong joins the summer schedule for ABC Radio Afternoons, broadcasting from 17 December to 24 December. Jess is a Darwin-based presenter and storyteller, known for her work on ABC Darwin Afternoons.

Stage, screen and TV veteran Todd McKenney will then take the reins of ABC Radio Afternoons from 29 December to 9 January.

Veteran broadcaster and ABC North Coast presenter Angela Catterns will be behind the mic for Australia All Over from 21 December to 25 January, connecting audiences across the country with stories and voices from every corner of Australia.

ABC Local Radio will also have a strong roster of local programming to ensure audiences can stay connected:

• Sydney: Emma Crowe hosts Breakfast over Christmas week, followed by Chris Taylor from 31 December. Michael Hing presents Drive.
• Melbourne: Warwick Long hosts Breakfast, with Mary Gearin on Drive.
• Brisbane: Spencer Howson steps into Breakfast, with Sarah Howells on Drive.
• Adelaide: Leigh Radford hosts Breakfast, with Narelle Graham from 15 December and Emma Pedler from 22 December presenting Drive.
• Perth: Clint Wheeldon greets listeners on Breakfast, with Amber Cunningham hosting WA Statewide Afternoons.
• Hobart: Evan Wallace hosts Breakfast, with David Reilly on Drive.
• Darwin: Steward Brash hosts Breakfast, with Rick Hind on Drive.

Evenings and late-night programming:

• Evenings: Geraldine Mellett (22–24 Dec), followed by Jess McGuire (29 Dec–9 Jan).
• Nightlife: Nic Healy weekdays, Mel Bampton weekends in December, Bern Young weekends in January.
• Overnights: Ashwin Segkar weekdays (15 Dec–18 Jan), Michael Pavlich weekends.

Special programming includes:

• Christmas Day: Paul Culliver (Breakfast), Alice Zaslavsky (Mornings), Sally Rope (Afternoons), Alice Walker (Drive), Peter Goers (Evenings).
• New Year’s Eve: Local Breakfast, followed by Waleed Aly, Todd McKenney, and Jess McGuire across Mornings, Afternoons, Drive, and Evenings. ABC Radio Nightlife will also feature an accessible fireworks broadcast for people with visual disabilities.

For the full summer schedule, visit ABC Local Radio or tune in via the ABC listen app.