‘Enjoy it.’
That is Richard Glover from ABC Radio Sydney‘s words to the future successor of his Drive program after announcing this afternoon he will be leaving the ABC to focus on other things after 26 years as host.
Glover told listeners:
“It’s one of the best jobs in Australian journalism, and I feel I’ve hogged it for long enough.”
There were hints of future involvement with the ABC, but in the short-term he planned to continue writing books and his Sydney Morning Herald column, plus get a few things sorted out that he hasn’t managed to do during his long service leave at the end of 2023, saying:
“I also plan to get my knees done after years boring my listeners with my problems.”
Richard broadcasting from home during the pandemic
Glover joined ABC Radio Sydney on Mornings in 1996, switched to Drive two years later. He’s enjoyed an array of star guests with some of his favourites Bill Bryson, Clive James, Julie Andrews, Dolly Parton, Lou Reed and David Attenborough. His affection for Elvis Presley was also legendary, with a suit that Glover owns joining him when the station relocated earlier this year.
A young Richard, surrounded by Elvis
Journalist and author Peter FitzSimons and Glover broke the Guinness World Record for the longest radio interview in 2011, talking to for a marathon 24 hours, a feat was beaten in 2022 by two Ohio radio producers. He has also been nominated for three Walkley Awards, two for print, and one for radio.
ABC Managing Director David Anderson said:
“Richard is a once in a generation broadcaster who manages to strike the balance between news and politics and just having a really good yarn on radio. I would like to thank Richard for giving so much of himself to his program. He has been an intrinsic part of 702 ABC Radio Sydney for more than 25 years and he will be missed by his colleagues and his audience in equal measure.”
Glover’s last Drive show will be on Friday November 29, with a special Thank God It’s Friday featuring comedians Tommy Dean, Wendy Harmer and Tahir and a musical performance from The Backsliders.
Richard said:
“I’ll miss the listeners, of course, but also my fabulous colleagues at 702 ABC Radio Sydney — radio’s best team.”
The Drive replacement will be announced soon as will details of ticketing for Richard’s last TGIF.
My admiration for Mr Glover is this lesson: never let defeats at the start of your career define you.
This website has an article about his rejection letters from 2UE and 2UW.
https://radioinfo.com.au/news/when-richard-glover-was-rejected-2ue/
Could you imagine if Mr Glover was accepted at 2UE or 2UW?
I speculate that that he would have disappeared into the ether never to be heard again.
The reason is that both radio stations don't have newsrooms anymore: 2UE ceased to have an independent news service after amalgamating with 2GB. Lots of news people lost their jobs.
Similarly, 2UW, now part of the ARN as KIIS 106.5 is lacking in news services
Given his departure from 2BL (ABC 702) my hope is that he continues writing for the SMH.
In summary, don't let knockbacks define the rest of your career as exemplified from his early rejections.
Thanks
Anthony, in praise of fighting the good fight, Strathfield South, in the land of the Wangal and Darug People's of the Eora Nation