Virginia Trioli is departing the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) on 26 June after 27 years, announcing she is leaving to pursue independent creative projects, including books and a television script.
Trioli joined the ABC in 1999 following roles at The Age and The Bulletin.
Over nearly three decades, she presented News Breakfast, Lateline, Q&A, 7.30, Mornings on ABC Radio Melbourne and Sydney, Drive, and most recently Creative Types with Virginia Trioli.
She also wrote the Weekend Reads column for ABC News.
The decision to leave
Trioli said her work on Creative Types with Virginia Trioli prompted the decision.
“After spending all this time with a whole lot of creative types, I realised that I kind of am one, too. And that’s really what I want to go and focus on now,” she told ABC News.
“I’ve just been so fortunate and had the luckiest and best career you can possibly have in mainstream media, but right now I am just itching – there is this voice that’s getting increasingly loud in my head – to go and work on my own creative projects.”
Trioli said she has been working on two books since publishing A Bit On The Side in 2024, and is developing a television script.
“There’s also a TV script I’m noodling away with, and a million other things in my head that are dying to get out,” she said.
Audiences and colleagues
Trioli said she would miss the connection with her audiences most.
“I’ve worked really closely with audiences for all of my career. You feel very close to them in the sort of jobs that I’ve done, and they will ring you, and they will text you, and they’ll write to you,” she said.
“And it’s really quite remarkable the intimacy and trust that you create. So I will absolutely miss them. And I’ll miss some of the really fine editors and colleagues that I’ve been able to work with over the years.”
ABC response
ABC Managing Director Hugh Marks acknowledged Trioli’s contribution and indicated the organisation hoped to continue working with her.
“Her achievements are many. I also know Virginia has ambitions to explore new work opportunities, and I hope we can work together to realise them in the coming years,” Marks said.
“I will be watching her every success with enthusiasm, and I hope much of it is with the ABC.”