ABC Local Radio is set to welcome familiar voices this summer, keeping audiences across Australia informed and entertained throughout the festive season. From Monday 22 December to Sunday 11 January, the summer schedule unites some of the nation’s most recognisable broadcasters with trusted local presenters for a line-up that celebrates connection and community.
Over the summer period, journalist and presenter Waleed Aly will host ABC Radio Mornings in all states and territories except Western Australia, bringing his insights and conversation to listeners from 22 December to 9 January. Waleed is a broadcaster, journalist, lawyer, and academic, best known as co-host of Network 10’s The Project. He lectures in politics at Monash University’s Global Terrorism Research Centre and has authored award-winning commentary and books on social and political issues. In 2016, he won the Gold Logie Award for Best Personality on Australian Television, cementing his reputation as one of Australia’s most respected voices. Waleed also presents The Minefield on ABC Radio National and ABC listen.
Jess Ong joins the summer schedule for ABC Radio Afternoons, broadcasting from 17 December to 24 December. Jess is a Darwin-based presenter and storyteller, known for her work on ABC Darwin Afternoons. Jess brings curiosity, creativity, and a passion for community-driven storytelling to her radio work.
One of Australia’s most celebrated media personalities, Todd McKenney, will then take the reins of ABC Radio Afternoons from 29 December to 9 January, delivering the program with his signature entertainment and flair. Todd is one of Australia’s most versatile performers with a career spanning over 30 years in stage, screen, and television. He is best known for his role as Peter Allen in The Boy From Oz, a performance he delivered more than 1,000 times, and as a long-time judge on Dancing With The Stars.
ABC North Coast presenter Angela Catterns will be behind the mic for Australia All Over from 21 December to 25 January, connecting audiences across the country with stories and voices from every corner of Australia. Angela is a veteran broadcaster whose career spans radio, television, and podcasting. She has presented Mornings on triple j, the National Evening Show on ABC Local Radio, and Breakfast on 702 ABC Sydney.
ABC Local Radio will also have a strong roster of local programming to ensure audiences can stay connected:
- Sydney: Emma Crowe hosts Breakfast over Christmas week, followed by Chris Taylor from 31 December. Michael Hing presents Drive.
- Melbourne: Warwick Long hosts Breakfast, with Mary Gearin on Drive.
- Brisbane: Spencer Howsen steps into Breakfast, with Sarah Howells on Drive.
- Adelaide: Leigh Radford hosts Breakfast, with Narelle Graham from 15 December and Emma Pedler from 22 December presenting Drive.
- Perth: Clint Wheeldon greets listeners on Breakfast, with Amber Cunningham hosting WA Statewide Afternoons.
- Hobart: Evan Wallace hosts Breakfast, with David Reilly on Drive.
- Darwin: Steward Brash hosts Breakfast, with Rick Hind on Drive.
- Canberra: James Findlay hosting Breakfast from Dec 22 to Jan 2.
Evenings and late-night programming:
- Evenings: Geraldine Mellett (22–24 Dec), followed by Jess McGuire (29 Dec–9 Jan).
- Nightlife: Nic Healy weekdays, Mel Bampton weekends in December, Bern Young weekends in January.
- Overnights: Ashwin Segkar weekdays (15 Dec–18 Jan), Michael Pavlich weekends.
Special programming includes:
- Christmas Day: Paul Culliver (Breakfast), Alice Zaslavsky (Mornings), Sally Rope (Afternoons), Alice Walker (Drive), Peter Goers (Evenings).
- New Year’s Eve: Local Breakfast, followed by Waleed Aly, Todd McKenney, and Jess McGuire across Mornings, Afternoons, Drive, and Evenings. ABC Radio Nightlife will also feature an accessible fireworks broadcast for people with visual disabilities.
For the full summer schedule, visit ABC Local Radio or tune in via the ABC listen app.
