Sarah Macdonald swaps Evenings for Mornings at ABC Radio Sydney

ABC Radio Sydney broadcaster Sarah Macdonald is moving into a new extended Mornings show in 2023.

Sarah has been presenting ABC Radio Sydney’s Evenings for three years and will take up her new Mornings presenter role on Monday 16 January.

The new Mornings show will start 30 minutes earlier, at 8.30am on weekdays and run through to 11.00am. 

Breakfast with James Valentine also starts 30 mins earlier in 2023, kicking off at 5.30am and running through to AM at 8.00am.

Sarah said she was “honoured and thrilled” to be taking on the Mornings slot. 

“It’s been a show I’ve listened to and loved for decades and I relish the opportunity to tell Sydney’s stories and talk to our communities about what matters to them,” said Sarah.

“I was born in Sydney and have lived here most of my life and I am passionate about what makes this big beautiful, brash city tick – the people, the places, the culture and the challenges we face.” 

“I’ve absolutely adored presenting Evenings for the last three years across NSW and the ACT and am always energised and astounded by the ABC Radio audience insights, contributions and camaraderie. I look forward to waking up to new days with our legendary listeners.”

ABC Radio Sydney Manager, Steve Ahern said: “This city wakes up early. The change to our Breakfast and Mornings start times will allow us to respond to the rhythm of the city and to connect people with what is happening while they are out exercising, travelling to work, on shift work, or preparing the family for the day.”

“James and Sarah are both familiar, trusted voices. They will help our listeners start their day with all the news, information and connections to Sydney that they need each morning.”

Sarah started her media career as a cadet journalist in the ABC Newsroom. She went on to become triple j’s political reporter and then presented triple j Mornings in the late 1990s. She left to live in India where she wrote the best-selling Holy Cow which has been translated into several languages and became a travel bible for that country. 

Returning to the ABC in 2017, Sarah presented the national Weekend Nightlife show on ABC Radio. She has presented Evenings since 2020. Sarah co-presents the Full Catastrophe, a storytelling event, podcast and book. 

Sarah’s replacement in Evenings in 2023 will be announced shortly.