Sunraysia Daily shuts down
By Jonas Lopez in Media News on Thursday, 26th March 2020 at 4:51pm
Mildura regional newspaper the Sunraysia Daily has been forced to stop operations.
The paper’s parent firm, Elliott Newspaper Group, stated that the COVID-19 situation forced a closure to the company’s printing operations in Mildura, Swan Hill, and Kerang, but will be reactivated once the crisis has passed.
As a result, the final issue of the Sunraysia Daily, as well as those of Sunraysia Life, The Guardian in Swan Hill, the Gannawarra Times, and the Loddon Times, will be on 28 March.
"Our newspapers have been a pillar of the communities they serve for in some cases over 100 years. In that time they have covered many adverse events that affected the community including depression, droughts, floods and war. However no event has had such an immediate impact on our viability than in the current situation. Our priority at this difficult time is to provide as much assistance to existing employees as is emotionally and financially possible," said Elliott Newspaper Group managing director Ross Lanyon.
The MEAA was left disappointed with the decision, which came just as Sunraysia was in the middle of a centennial anniversary. Two other regional papers - the 130-year-old Great Southern Star in Victoria’s South Gippsland and the 145-year-old Yarram Standard – released their last issues this week.
“Without doubt this is a difficult operating environment but many of these mastheads have a long and proud history – they have survived depression, drought and world wars. And yet a week of this current crisis has led them to close their doors. Shutting down in advance of the benefits they are to receive from the government stimulus packages, is a knee-jerk reaction,” said MEAA media president Marcus Strom.
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Lambert in charge of Women’s Agenda
By Jonas Lopez in Media News on Friday, 18th September 2020 at 2:57pm
Women’s Agenda publisher and co-owner Tarla Lambert has taken over as editor-in-chief.
Co-founder and editor Angela Priestley said that after eight years running the editorial side of the company, she had opted to let Lambert run that side of the business. She herself will become the new strategy chief and creative director, in charge of podcasts and new partner content campaigns.
Lambert joined Women’s Agenda in 2015 as associate publisher but was moved up to publisher/co-owner in 2017.
“Building Agenda Media and @WomensAgenda with @angelapriestley and our dynamo team has been one of my biggest life highlights. I couldn’t be happier to be the new editor in chief and keep growing our footprint. Small, female-led teams do huge things,” Tweeted Lambert.
Follow Lambert on LinkedIn.
Harding flies home
By Jonas Lopez in Media News on Friday, 18th September 2020 at 2:54pm
KIIS 101.1 FM breakfast co-host Polly “PJ” Harding has flown home to New Zealand, reported Radio Today.
Parent company ARN stated that she was opting to return home and set up a remote studio link to continue the show with Jase for the remainder of 2020.
She will return to Australia in early 2021.
Stay tuned with Harding on Twitter @PJHardingZM.
Shelley Lloyd exits ABC
By Jonas Lopez in Media News on Friday, 18th September 2020 at 2:51pm
Shelley Lloyd has logged out of ABC Brisbane.
She stated in a Tweet that today’s morning bulletin would be her last, hinting that Emma Blackwood and Meg Purtell will be filling in.
Lloyd was with the national broadcaster for 24 years, with her work including hosting the Queensland edition of Country Hour, and recruitment and mentoring of ABC Queensland reporters.
Chris and Mel Dzelde exit Power FM
By Jonas Lopez in Media News on Thursday, 17th September 2020 at 3:44pm
The husband-and-wife tandem of Chris and Mel Dzelde has stepped down from 5MU and Power FM (pictured) in general.
Mel Dzelde said in a social media post that they were leaving so she could further deal with Stage IV cancer. She herself had been on medical leave for the past four months as Power FM’s content director, as was Chris on carer leave from hosting afternoon show The Shovel and Bull.
"Cancer has a way of showing you your priorities and for me, I’m visualising a future free to explore new projects and opportunities... I know I’ll be a better version of myself as a result. I want to thank my team for inspiring me every day. I know you’ll continue to make me proud," said Mrs Dzelde.
Power FM has yet to announce changes to the Dzeldes’ now-vacant job posts.
New state appointments up at Hit Network
By Jonas Lopez in Media News on Thursday, 17th September 2020 at 3:16pm
Southern Cross Austereo has set up a raft of programming changes for the Hit Network, including new producers and workday hosts for the statewide shows.
On the producer front, Queensland’s Cliffo and Gabi show will be under the aegis of Carley Whittington. In Victoria, Riley-Rose Harper will work on Tim and Jess’ breakfast show. Ex-HIT Squad member Jorgia Pisani is producing the WA breakfast with Allan and Michelle while Matt Lucas stays on at NSW’s Gawndy and Maz.
Hit’s Community Division stations will have their own workday hosts for the 9AM-12 noon block.
They are: Tyson Witham (Albury), Mark Littler (Atherton/Cairns), Michael Billings (Bendigo), Ben Stevenson (Coffs Harbour), Ryan Bebbington (Emerald/Rockhampton), Dane McGuirk (Griffith/Wagga), Emily Crawford (Kingaroy/Roma), Joel Dixon (Mackay), Cameron Hilder (Mareeba/Mt Isa), Jason Coombes (Maryborough), Pat Silcox (Mildura), Carly Porch (Orange), James Preston (Port Macquarie), Josiah Shala (She
Hildebrand signs at 2GB
By Jonas Lopez in Media News on Thursday, 17th September 2020 at 3:11pm
Joe Hildebrand is now working with 2GB.
The Daily Telegraph revealed that the station has tapped him for co-hosting John Stanley’s weeknight show at 8PM, starting tonight.
Hildebrand will be on for one hour, but station management will consider it as a test run for more duties.
“I am absolutely wrapped to be going back to radio. I can’t think of any better place to be than 2GB. I’ve got a strong feeling that a lot of my old audience from Studio 10 are also the kind of people who listen to GB. These are battlers from the suburbs, people who live in the real world, who like straight talk and big laughs and I can’t wait to reconnect with them,” said Hildebrand.
Galloway signs out of ABC
By Jonas Lopez in Media News on Thursday, 17th September 2020 at 1:41pm
Patrick Galloway has called time on his ABC run.
He made his exit official in a Tweet with ABC Landline’s Kirsten Aiken, which he stated was his last on-camera appearance.
Galloway had been with ABC for nine years, starting out as network sports coordinator. He became senior network sports reporter in 2014.
Follow Galloway on LinkedIn and on Twitter @Pat11G.
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