New challenge: Katrina Palmer appointed ABC Radio Sydney Manager

She’s worked alongside the likes of Virginia Trioli, Jon Faine, Libbi Gorr and Red Symons. She was there at the forefront of some of Melbourne’s leading radio programs. She’s covered everything from federal elections to natural disasters.

Now, former Senior ABC Producer Katrina Palmer is about to undertake her latest challenge, as Manager of ABC Radio Sydney.

Palmer started her radio journey back in 1996.

“It was a lifetime ago, on Breakfast with Peter Clarke. It was a terrifying experience working on my first program,” Palmer recalled in a 2021 interview.

Palmer went on told hold down key producing roles with the national broadcaster.

As Executive Producer of ABC Sport, she managed radio coverage of AFL, cricket, golf and the Australian Tennis Open, the latter of which was the scene of one of her most terrifying radio moments.

“It was the first year we broadcast live commentary each night from the tennis. We had to set up a broadcast commentary box from scratch in a tiny box at the top of Rod Laver Arena; hire tennis experts (with minimal budget); manage logistical issues of broadcasting offsite … and produce a national program that ran from 6.30pm until the final match on centre court that went until all hours.”

“It was terrifying, exhausting and exhilarating. I’ve never worked so hard in my life or been so terrified of failing. I learnt so much in that two weeks.”

Palmer departed the national broadcaster in 2022, whilst working as Senior Producer for Virginia Trioli’s Mornings Program.

Most recently, she was Head of Communications at the Victorian Ombudsman as well as Communications Lead at the Compensation Scheme of Last Resort.

She will return to the ABC in 2025 in her new management role.