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Sudden Departure: SHARYN GHIDELLA Leaves CHANNEL 7 Brisbane

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Veteran Newsreader Sharyn Ghidella to Depart Channel 7 News in Brisbane

Sharyn Ghidella, a highly regarded figure in Australian journalism, is set to leave her position as newsreader for Channel 7 in Brisbane. The move is abrupt, with Ghidella not expected to deliver an on-air farewell to her audience.

TV Blackbox understands Ghidella was offered a chance to say goodbye to viewers but rejected the offer.

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It is currently unclear whether 7News presenter Max Futcher will be presenting the bulletin solo moving forward or will be finding a new on-air partner.

The move comes as Channel 7 is being forced to make significant cuts to its staff due to a slump in advertising revenue and the loss of income from META. Up to 150 employees are expected to leave Seven in the coming months.

UPDATE: Sharyn Ghidella has now confirmed the decision using her personal Facebook page to send a message of thanks to staff and viewers while making it clear network bosses did not have the courage to inform her of their decision face-to-face:

When you work in TV for as long as I have, not a day goes by when you aren’t expecting the proverbial tap on the shoulder…

After 38 years, my shoulder tap has finally come.

It wasn’t quite how I expected it to end at Channel 7. I was actually sitting at the hairdressers for work, when I got the call informing me, that after 17 years with the network, my time was up.

And while somewhat saddened by this decision, there is also some sense of relief.

As has been widely reported, the past couple of weeks in TV has, sadly, been a miserable affair.

A long list of talented, loyal and dedicated employees have been shown the door, in what seems to have been an interminable process of pulling the band-aid off slowly when it comes to removing what’s been deemed excess stock from the building.

These people are some of the best “content creators” in the business (well, we are digital first now). They are good people and it’s been heartbreaking to watch.

I’ve seen the toll it’s taken on those who’ve left, those delivering the pain and those still there, and when it comes to witnessing this heartache, I think I’m done.

I’m also not one to have my evening news served up with humour and horoscopes either, so, to be honest, it is time to go.

As I’m known to say, the caravan moves on. There is certainly plenty of talent left in the building and I wish them nothing but the best moving forward.

Because television is a great industry, journalism is a worthy profession in any functioning democracy, and I couldn’t be more grateful for all the time I’ve spent so far, working in media.

From NQTV – Cairns and Townsville, Channel 10 Brisbane, National Nine News Sydney, Daybreak, Nine’s Early News, Qantas News, Today Show, Weekend Sunrise, Today Tonight, 7NEWS Brisbane, I’ve enjoyed every minute of it. I couldn’t have expected more.

I have worked alongside the best in the business at the premier television newsrooms in the country and the many friendships I’ve made, I will always hold dear.

A sincere thank you to everyone who has made this possible, so far, including past employers like the Stokes, Packer and Gleeson families and the news directors, executive producers and station managers who saw fit to give a kid from Babinda a go.

I owe you so much.

Likewise, my fellow journalists, presenters, producers, chiefs of staff, researchers, camera operators, editors, directors, DA’s, audio operators, technicians, IT specialists, graphic artists, librarians, publicists, marketing, sales team members, promo producers, ingest operators, MCR, security guards, unit managers, receptionists, groundsmen (that’s you Gav), autocue operators, stylists, and those beautiful magicians in hair and make-up … know that I have always respected what you do and I have always held you in the highest regard.

I truly believe television is a team effort and what a team I’ve had the privilege of working with over all of these years.

And then there are the viewers… You will never know how much your kindness and support means. What a privilege it is to be welcomed into your homes to present you the news of the day. Please know that I have read every card, every letter, every email and appreciated every gift you’ve sent my way.

Thank you too to all the charities, theatre and sporting organisations I’ve had the pleasure of being involved with, either on the Board or as an ambassador. That connection initially came courtesy of my television career and I hope my little contribution has, and will continue to help, in some way.

And last, but by no means least, a heartfelt acknowledgement to all the newsmakers I’ve met along the way and the many people who have trusted me to tell their story to date. I have never forgotten so, so many of you, particularly those I’ve encountered at the worst of times, in times of disaster and loss. I often wonder how you are getting on. I always hope by telling your story it made a difference and that you got through it all, that life treated you so much better after what you endured. You deserved that.

So, for now, as I sign off for the last time from 7NEWS… it’s good night from me.

Here’s hoping my horoscope for tomorrow will be for brighter times ahead.

I’m now off to spend some quality time with my beautiful family and friends… and to find a new job, whether it be in TV or a new venture, with the same enthusiasm and promise as when I started in the industry 4 decades ago…

Any suggestions are always appreciated. Please, wish me luck! x

The move by Ghidella to mention Horoscopes in her public statement is a not to subtle dig at newly appointed Seven Director of News and Current Affairs Anthony De Ceglie who has been moving to reinvent the nightly bulletins with the introduction of comedy skits and astrology reports.

Confirming the decision, Anthony De Ceglie, said:

“Sharyn has made a significant contribution to Seven over the past 17 years, we are grateful for her hard work and are sorry to see her go. She leaves with sincere thanks from everyone at Seven and our very best wishes for the future.”

Seven Brisbane Director of News, Michael Coombes, added:

“For 17 years, Sharyn has been a welcome guest in loungerooms across Queensland – always professional, always reliable, always warm. But for all of us, she is so much more. A mentor, a colleague, a friend.

I have nothing but admiration and gratitude for Sharyn. And we wish her every success for the future.”

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With a career spanning over three decades, Ghidella has earned her place among Australia’s most respected news anchors. She transitioned to Channel Seven Brisbane in 2007 after a notable stint at Channel 9.

Throughout her tenure, she has anchored coverage of significant events including the Iraq War, Cyclone Larry, the Brisbane Floods, Royal Tours, the Commonwealth Games, and high-profile trials such as those of Daniel Morcombe and Baden-Clay. She also covered Steve Irwin’s memorial.

In addition to her professional achievements, Ghidella is a mother to two sons, Austin and Darcy. Outside of her demanding career, she enjoys the theatre, reading, movies, and gourmet cooking.

This story will be updated as more information becomes available.

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Kevin Perry
Kevin Perryhttps://perryexcav.com/
Senior Editor and Co-Owner of the TV Blackbox website, Kevin Perry is an experienced media commentator focused on TV Production, Consumer Tech, SVOD & Sports Broadcasting. Media enquiries please Call or Text 0428-275-111
Comments

8 COMMENTS

  1. I had a hunch Sharyn’s time was nearing … now I just wonder whether Katrina Blowers will be asked to take on the role – Katrina is far their best option in my opinion.

  2. It’s a no brainer this has happened. Pay to View is killing free to air. Why? There’s no loyalty programmes left….no live variety….no decent drama series…no comedy,,,,,nothing. Even sport is farmed out to be watched elsewhere. They have made their own bed. I was lucky enough to work in variety television and ABC as an employee. The State TV Channels were flat out producing many shows…many live to air. What on earth do they do now? Their demise is obvious. I’ll stick with Foxtel to keep it simple.

  3. Lack of advertising, my butt. How about backing and losing a couple of very high profile court cases?

  4. “The News Director says “…we are grateful for her hard work and are sorry to see her go…”

    Weasel words ” ..we are sorry to see her go….”

    Why are you sorry when you are the one who dismissed her?

    It isn’t unique to Seven.

    Having an award for journalism did not stop veteran reporter Greg Wilesmith from the ABC being made redundant.

    It hate congratulatory lip service to hard working people then tossing them out.

    What is really offensive is that organisations announce redundancies then a few weeks later new faces appear on the air such as ABC 24.

    It happened too with Andrew Probyn, the ABC’s Canberra political reporter.

    How can you be made redundant when you are replaced with someone else?

    Redundancy means that position was not needed.

    In this case the person was replaced with another journalist reporting Canberra political affairs.

    I don’t like dishonesty by heads of departments.

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