Chris Bath has announced her departure from ABC Radio Sydney Drive this afternoon, sharing on air:
“Timing in life is a funny thing, and I’ve decided to step down from Drive to pursue some passion projects and different opportunities away from the news cycle that have been beckoning for years. I know I’m leaving Drive Listeners and my team in safe and kind hands with Tom Oriti.”
The great thing is that I’ll get to gasbag with listeners about some of those passion projects and perhaps explore theirs too on the radio on Sunday mornings on ABC Radio Sydney. The new show will be an antidote to the relentlessness of the news cycle, celebrating people doing great things across NSW, and creating that sense of community that ABC local radio does so well.”
Chris’s new program will air Sunday mornings from 10am to midday across NSW. It replaces weekend mornings with Rae Johnston which moves to Saturday mornings at the same time. Rae also presents ABC Radio National’s Download This Show and had been given the Sunday shift when Simon Marnie left the broadcaster after not having his contract renewed.
Chris too has only hosted Drive since the beginning of 2025 following Richard Glover’s retirement. It was also recently announced she will wrap up her news reading duties with Network Ten too.
Thomas Oriti
Thomas Oriti who will take over from Bath is currently host of the national Breakfast program on ABC NewsRadio and Background Briefing on ABC Radio National. Thomas has been with the ABC for 17 years and is married to ABC National Disability Affairs Reporter Nas Campanella with a son Lachie.
Thomas said:
“ABC Radio Sydney has always been part of my life—I grew up listening to it, and it’s shaped the way I think about journalism and storytelling. To now be joining the team as Drive presenter is a real privilege. I’m excited to connect with listeners across the city and continue the tradition of thoughtful, engaging radio.”
ABC Radio Sydney have also announced that James O’Loghlin and Kathryn Robinson will remain at the helm of the Afternoon program while James Valentine continues his treatment and recovery from omentum cancer.