What's New
BY Sarah Patterson June 29, 2026
What's New November 28, 2024
Simon Marnie confirms departure from ABC Radio Sydney
If you asked ABC Chair Kim Williams about the departure of Simon Marnie from ABC Radio Sydney Weekends he might reply as he did about Sarah Macdonald as part of his National Press Club address yesterday, That Simon was not sacked, his role was not renewed and that the two are different conceptually.
Simon said on Instagram today:
“the ABC has looked at its Weekend Structure in 2025 and informed me they do not have a role for me in that structure.
This came as a shock and I am still processing what it means for me.”
There are hundreds of comments in response including:
“Guessing this means their weekend structure doesn’t have room for a listener like me then either.”
Simon was part of the AFTRS inaugural radio class of 1981 before a first job with triple j. Alongside working with the ABC Simon also created and produced the SBS TV’s music show, nomad, reported for ABC TV before heading back to radio and a role hosting Nightlife.
He will be hosting the Weekend Show Christmas Picnic Outside Broadcast at Jazz @ The House on the grounds of Government House this Sunday December 1st from 10am till midday if you want to come down and say hello.
I am so absolutely gutted at the APPALLING decisions to sack radio presenters Sarah MacDonald and Simon Marnie
I do not accept for 1 minute the mealy mouthed response of ABC Chair Kim Williams regarding the sacking of Sarah at the National Press Club presentation today and i sincerely hope the ABC will reconsider the decision to axe the positions of Sarah and Simon
Both these presenters are experienced , at the top of their game, achieving great ratings ( not that ratings should be the basis of decision making ) and we the ABC listeners love listening to Sarah every morning with Simon on weekends.
I was sad to hear that Richard Glover was leaving. He went on his own terms and at his own time. I will really miss him. However when I heard that Sarah McDonald and Simon Marnie were sacked I was devastated. They were both at the top of their popularity and careers. Their audiences were loyal and many. If this was a business decision it was wrong!
I wish that the powers that be would reconsider this atrocious decision.
Radio is a personal medium and those people are parts of our lives. Family. They’ve seen us through some tricky stuff. They are precious to us all.
I love the ABC but it has been disappointing me a lot in the last few years. Now it’s just made me sad.
Last point. Ian McNamara is somehow still working with his right wing stupidity and narrow mind. So wrong.
I am so shocked and gutted ,l just had to express my outrage at the sacking of Simon Marnie by Kim Williams.
Williams has truly lost the plot, perhaps he needs to retire since his decision making has become so confused, or is this a political decision?
Why would someone at the top of their game and popularity like Simon be sacked?
And he has done so much for regional areas and the bush.
It really is quite monstrous ,l just wonder what is going on at ‘our’ ABC.
Simon has been the soundtrack to my weekends for so long l just don’t know what l will do without him. I am so sad .l looked forward to your programs Simon ,and and it really was the highlight of my weekends. You were a stellar host and provided interesting ,informative and delightfully fun programs, what more can anyone do?
This is a wrong decision.
Simon l truly hope you can use your prodigious talents in a way that is fulfilling for you in the future . I will miss you so much . Thank you so much for all the great music ,food and fun .
Gutted Suzi.
I suspect ABC Sydney is chasing after a younger demographic, perpectually younger, but fails to realise they were never coming to ABC Local Radio in the first place. They are elsewhere on music stations that cater to their interests, streaming platforms, podcasts. Better to keep catering to the demographic that it currently serves. It always shifts over time — has to by definition — but it is not for the 18-39ers. The ABC needs to be conservative, that is allow its coal radio stations to evolve over time. Radical upheaval isn’t the answer. You can do that maybe at tripe j, but not 702.