Sarah Macdonald returns to ABC Sydney to host Afternoons

Sarah Macdonald will return to 702 ABC Sydney in March 2027 as presenter of Afternoons, more than two years after the ABC dropped her from its Mornings program.

James O’Loghlin will continue hosting Afternoons until Macdonald begins. She takes on the program hosted for 25 years by James Valentine, who died earlier this year.

Macdonald previously presented Mornings from 2023 to 2024, following roles on Weekend Nightlife and Evenings.

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Return follows disputed departure

Macdonald announced her departure on air in November 2024, telling listeners the ABC had decided not to renew her contract for the following year.

“The ABC has decided not to renew my contract here at Mornings.”

The decision drew public criticism from colleagues, including outgoing Media Watch host Paul Barry, Australian Story producer Lisa McGregor and Richard Glover.

As Mediaweek reported at the time, Glover questioned the decision and pointed to Macdonald’s ratings. He also said staff had gathered outside the studio to give her a standing ovation after she finished that morning’s broadcast.

Macdonald told listeners she was proud of her work, citing interviews, election coverage and her role in the station’s move to Parramatta. 

Carrying on Valentine’s legacy

Macdonald said she was honoured to join Afternoons and reconnect with its listeners.

“James was my friend and a legend in my lunchtimes as both listener and colleague. I am both emotional and thrilled to carry on his legacy. I have missed the ABC listeners’ wit and wisdom. I thank them for their support, and I look forward to hanging out again. I will do my best to inform, entertain and be with listeners as we together try to make sense of the big and the small issues in life.”

702 ABC Sydney manager Nick Lowther said Macdonald’s relationship with the audience was central to her return.

“Sarah is one of those broadcasters who builds a genuine, lasting bond with her audience, and that connection is at the heart of what makes 702 and ABC radio special. She has an instinct for the conversations people want to have, and a warmth that comes through every time she's on air. Her return to the ABC is a genuinely joyful moment for our listeners across Sydney and New South Wales, and I know they will welcome her to the afternoon program that means so much to them.”

ABC director of audio Ben Latimer said listeners had made their support for Macdonald clear.

“We’ve heard just how much 702 ABC Sydney listeners have missed Sarah, and I’m delighted she has agreed to return”, Latimer said.

“There’s something special about Sarah taking on Afternoons. She knew James well, she knows the audience, and she understands what the program means to them. I’m really looking forward to hearing her make Afternoons her own.

“I want to thank James O’Loghlin and Kathryn Robinson, who have built a warm and engaging connection with the Afternoons audience. They have carried the program with great care during a difficult period, and I’m very grateful for their commitment.”

Breakfast, Mornings and Drive hosts stay on

O’Loghlin and Kathryn Robinson will remain regular voices on 702 ABC Sydney after Macdonald takes over Afternoons.

Craig Reucassel will continue presenting Breakfast in 2027, with Hamish Macdonald remaining on Mornings and Thomas Oriti on Drive.

The station will announce further details of its 2027 lineup later this year.