Hundreds of people gathered to farewell Simon Marnie on his last ABC Radio Sydney weekend show yesterday.
It was an OB from Government House, coinciding with the Jazz at the House open day.
Reflecting Marnie’s deep connections with the Sydney and NSW communities, fans came from all over the state with their picnic rugs to take part in the broadcaster’s last event after being made redundant.
Oyster farmers, indigenous artists, fruit and vege growers, farmers, musicians and gardening experts who have appeared on his show over the years delivered messages of farewell with a common theme being how much Marnie coached and supported them to get over their nerves and become accomplished radio performers. Current and past ABC presenters, also spoke about Marnie’s behind the scenes support of them in their early careers as a coach and mentor.
A 25 year veteran of the national broaadcaster, Marnie began his ABC career at triple j, then moved to 702 ABC Sydney and, after the retirement of previous weekend presenter Bob Hughes took over the weekend shifts.
Opening the show, Marnie said:
“As you know, I met with management earlier this week and they told me there was no place on weekends for me, which means that I get to jump a whole new set of hurdles.
“Before I go I wanted to catch up with you guys, the audience. If you’re listening around NSW, hopefully I’m bringing Government House into your lounge room and you’re bringing regional NSW into my heart.”
Showcasing his audio storytelling skills, Marnie painted a picture of the sparkling Sydney Harbour, before replaying a call from the Governor General and then speaking to the NSW Governor, Margaret Beasley, who opened her house to the public for the event.
The Governor said: “Simon, you have become very much part of Government House and Jazz at the House… We started doing Jazz at the House and the normal number of visitors for a Sunday came through… After a Saturday morning interview with you we looked at our grounds full of people and suddenly this place came to life.
“Simon, thank you because you’re part of the heart of Government House.”
Fighting back tears Marnie and Governor Beasley talked about Marnie’s support given to regional NSW, especially after the bushfires. “The people spoke to me about you in the regions… there were so many references to Simon Marnie [in a recent regional tour.]”
Marnie also read out some of the hundreds of text messages thanking him for his connection to the community over many years. At the end of the show the listeners queued up to talk to him for hours.
Simon Marnie started his career at 2UW in the 1980s where his love of radio really took hold. In 1993 he joined the ABC in his first on air role as a presenter on triple j. He spent 10 years with the youth network. He has also worked in Television, conceiving and producing the SBS music show, nomad and reported on TVTV on the ABC.
Simon returned to ABC Radio in 1996, this time to ABC Radio Sydney where he has remained since. Simon broke the news of the September 11 attacks to local radio across the nation and continued to broadcast for 15 hours across that night. He presented various programs on 702 ABC Radio Sydney including NightLife before landing the Weekend Mornings slot in 2000.
Richard Glover also left the station last week, ending with a final TGIF in front of a live audience before his retirement.
Sarah Macdonald‘s contract was not renewed and she announced two weeks ago that she would not host the ABC Radio Sydney morning show next year. A replacement has not yet been announced. Macdonald is not on air this week.
At least one other ABC Radio personality is expected to leave the station this month. The station continues to receive hundreds of texts to it’s studio switch lines from listeners complaining about the changes.
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Sarah Macdonald to depart ABC Radio Sydney with her contract not renewed