Veteran broadcaster Rod Young today announced his retirement after four decades in media, the last 19 of those years with the Seven Network.
Rod Young’s dedication coupled with his exceptional reporting skills has seen him cover some of the most important stories both locally and internationally over the past four decades.
Young said:
“I’ve just had my 70th birthday and after 40 years in broadcasting, it’s the perfect time to step away from the news desk.
“I’m very happy and excited to now be starting a number of family projects, but I’m also grateful to all the people who’ve befriended me and supported me over these many years.
“I was especially lucky to be part of a very successful 7NEWS team and will always have wonderful memories of working with such a fantastic group of smart and talented journalists and production teams who made it all possible.
“My thanks to the fantastic 7NEWS Gold Coast team who have been my news family for the last five years and to our wonderful viewers, I thank you.”
A remarkable media career spanning 45 years, Young started out in radio in the 1970’s before making the switch to television news in 1987 with ABC Queensland.
In 2002, Young joined the Seven Network and teamed up with Kay McGrath to co present Brisbane’s 7NEWS nightly bulletin, a winning formula that would see them become Queensland’s #1 news team.
More recently, with Amanda Abate, Young led the expansion of 7NEWS on the Gold Coast, presenting 7NEWS weeknights at 5.30 and Flashback on Sunday evenings from the network’s purpose-built facility in the heart of Surfers Paradise.
Network Director News and Public Affairs, Craig McPherson, said:
“Rod’s natural, effortless presenting style was instrumental in forging our Queensland News to market leadership.
“His on air partnership with Kay McGrath took us to ratings highs across many years.
“Rod leaves us with a wealth of success both in results and his influence over so many who worked with him in our Brisbane and Gold Coast newsrooms.
“We thank him for giving us so much for so long and wish him only the best in his well deserved retirement.”
Director 7NEWS Brisbane and Gold Coast, Neil Warren, said:
“Rod has been an institution on our screens and airwaves for more than four decades and 7NEWS has been fortunate to have Rod as part of our team for many of those years.
“He quickly earned the trust of viewers, delivering the news with absolute authority.
“Always the ultimate professional, his dry sense of humour has become legendary in the newsroom and above all, he’s always been one of TV’s Mr Nice Guys.
“From all at 7NEWS, we wish him all the best in retirement.”
Join 7NEWS Gold Coast for a special farewell bulletin for Rod Young on Thursday from 5.30pm on Channel 7 and 7plus.
