Sad farewells in radio news at NOVA Entertainment.

Three of Australia’s most respected radio newsreaders are among those made redundant, following changes to NOVA Entertainment’s News and Programming structure.

Australia’s most awarded newsreader Steve Blanda – who has racked up close to fifty years in radio news – farewelled Smooth FM listeners on air in Sydney this week.

He has been at Smooth for nearly a decade.

In Melbourne, experienced journalist and Smooth FM Breakfast news presenter Nikole Gunn was made redundant.

In a career spanning well over three decades, ‘Gunners’ (pictured above with Smooth FM Breakfast host Mike Perso) was previously News Director at DMG Radio Australia and Austereo in Melbourne.

Nova Adelaide’s Breakfast newsreader Abbey Smith was also made redundant.

This time last year, Abbey told of how lucky she felt to have worked with many of the top newsreaders this country has produced, and was proud in the knowledge that she was able to give a voice to those who may not have had the chance to be heard at times.

Changes to news across the NOVA Entertainment network are expected to be in place from this week.