Day: November 7, 2024

Manager of ABC Classic and Jazz Kat McGuffie to depart the ABC

Manager of ABC Classic and Jazz, Kat McGuffie, has announced she will leave the ABC later this month after more than a decade working at the networks.

Kat joined the ABC in 2013 as Live Music Producer for ABC Classic, first in Adelaide and then Melbourne. She held roles at ABC Classic as Content Director and Executive Producer before taking on the Manager role of ABC Classic and Jazz in 2022.

During her time with the ABC, Kat has led content initiatives aimed at finding new audiences for classical music including producing Clarke’s Classics which won an ARIA Award for Best Comedy release and The Classic Road Trip which took listeners on a 5000km journey from Darwin across regional Australia, concluding at the childhood home of Sir Don Bradman co-hosted by Greta Bradman and Russell Torrance.

Kat conceived some of ABC Classic’s longstanding specialist programs including Duet, Passenger, Legends, Game Show and the popular Mindful Music.

In 2022, she led the station’s most successful Classic 100 and the network’s unique collaboration with Gardening Australia for the Classic Choir campaign. In 2023 Kat worked with ABC TV on the first Classic 100 in Concert.

Kat’s advocacy for gender equity in music drove her to launch the Women of Jazz Fest and expand ABC Classic’s Festival of Female Composers. Kat’s commitment to broadening representation in music has driven the station’s evolution in programming and presentation, work for which she was awarded the CollArts Creative Leadership Award at the 2024 Australian Women in Music Awards last month.

Outside the ABC, Kat is an accomplished composer and arts manager and serves as Director on the Board of the Melbourne International Jazz Festival.

Kat said: “It has been an absolute privilege working with the talented teams at ABC Classic and Jazz to serve listeners and represent the distinctive Australian classical and jazz industries. I’ll miss the ABC greatly, but after a decade, it’s time to further my work in engaging and developing audiences beyond the ABC.”

Director of Audio Ben Latimer said: “I’d like to thank Kat for her contributions to the ABC and the classical and jazz music industry.

“In her time with the ABC, Kat has consistently been a passionate advocate for classical music in Australia and has supported the industry to grow and develop new talent to continue to drive quality and innovation.”

The ABC will shortly begin recruitment for a Head of ABC Classic and Jazz and Content Director ABC Classic and Jazz.

Ray Hadley announces retirement

Ray Hadley announces retirement

Australia’s most celebrated and versatile broadcaster, Ray Hadley OAM, has announced he will step away from the microphone at the end of this year, concluding a remarkable 43-year career in radio that has shaped Australian media and left an indelible legacy across talkback, sport, and music broadcasting.

During today’s show, Hadley shared the news with his loyal listeners, saying, “My own four children made many sacrifices for me over the years, allowing me to realise my ambitions, and I want to spend more time with them and my seven grandchildren. Sophie has been the most supporting, calming, loving and amazing wife – and she deserves a break too!”

From his beginnings in 1981 as a traffic reporter alongside the iconic Gary O’Callaghan on 2UE, Ray’s journey in radio has been defined by passion, dedication, and an unwavering connection with his audience. By 1982, Hadley was calling Rugby League matches and various racing meets, marking the start of a legendary sports broadcasting career. By 1983, he was a full-time fixture at 2UE, remaining there for 19 years before transitioning to 2GB in 2001, where he continued to break new ground.

On March 4, 2002, The Ray Hadley Morning Show first went to air. Over the next 21 years, Hadley amassed 160 consecutive ratings wins – a record that is unlikely to ever be broken.

Ray’s voice has become synonymous with some of the most memorable moments in Australian sports history. As a founding member of The Continuous Call Team in 1987, Ray has called 99 State of Origin games, 35 Rugby League Grand Finals, and thousands of club games. His international accomplishments include commentating at three Rugby World Cups and seven Olympic Games, including this year in Paris. Earlier in 2024, the Sydney Football Stadium honoured Hadley’s contribution to sports with the unveiling of The Ray Hadley Commentary Box.

Hadley remains the most decorated radio host in Australian Commercial Radio Award (ACRA) history, with 35 awards and a 2017 induction into the ACRA Hall of Fame. In 2003, his contributions were further recognised with a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM), celebrating his commitment to rugby league and extensive fundraising efforts for charities.

Beyond sport and talkback, Hadley’s influence has extended into the world of music. The Ray Hadley Country Music Countdown has spotlighted emerging talent in Australian country music, running for an impressive 573 episodes over 16 years. This year, Hadley received the Country Music Capital Award at the Golden Guitar Awards, honouring his steadfast support for the genre.

Hadley added, “I’ve had the ride of my life at 2GB for more than 23 years, firstly under the ownership of John Singleton and more recently with Nine Entertainment and Nine Radio. I leave the network with me owing 2GB everything for my success and longevity. I wish all my colleagues continued success.”

Nine Radio’s Managing Director, Tom Malone said, “We’ll likely never see another broadcaster of Ray’s versatility, longevity and ratings success. While the 2GB listeners will miss that familiar jingle and voice at 9am every day, I’m sure they wish Ray all the best in retirement with Sophie and the family.”

Hadley’s final day on air will be Friday, 13 December, 2024.

A new host for the 2GB Morning Program will be announced in due course.