It was on 4 September, 1967 that Robert Peach, AM’s first presenter, announced to listeners: “Good morning, I’m Robert Peach and every weekday morning from now on we’ll be taking a fresh look at the world, what it’s talking about, what people in the news are doing …”
In the half-century since he spoke those words, AM has gone on to become a fixture of Australia’s airwaves, bringing listeners award-winning journalism from around the nation and the globe and setting the day’s agenda with the latest political news and analysis. From events that have changed the world forever to the local issues affecting a regional town, AM is there to tell audiences what’s happening and why.
“Fifty years on, AM remains appointment listening for audiences,” said ABC Director, News Gaven Morris. “The ABC’s network of journalists around the country and the world continue to bring Australians unique stories, as well as giving scrutiny to the nation’s leaders in politics, business and every other sector that affects our lives.”
From 4 September, AM will commemorate its 50th anniversary on-air and online, looking back on some of the biggest stories covered by the program and giving audiences a look at what was going on behind the scenes.
AM is heard at 8am Monday to Saturday on ABC Radio, online, on Digital Radio and ABC Radio app.
Early AM can be heard each weekday morning at 6.05am on ABC Radio and at 7.10am on ABC RN. AM is presented by Sabra Lane Monday to Friday and by Elizabeth Jackson on Saturday.
AM Presenters
1967 – 1974 Robert Peach
1968 Brian Wright
1973 – 1975 Bill Dowsett
1976 Hamish Robertson
1977 – 1978 Kel Richards
1979 – 1980 Steve Cosser
1981 – 1986 Red Harrison
1986 – 1987 John Highfield
1988 – 1993 Peter Thompson
1994 – 1996 Ellen Fanning
1997 – 2001 Peter Cave
2001 – 2003 Linda Mottram
2004 – 2014 Tony Eastley
2014 – 2015 Chris Uhlmann
2015 – 2017 Michael Brissenden
2017 – present Sabra Lane