7NEWS Brisbane announces new anchor duo with Sarah Greenhalgh joining Max Futcher.
Sarah Greenhalgh will join Max Futcher as co-anchor of 7NEWS Brisbane’s flagship 6.00pm weekday bulletin, starting from Monday, 21 October, according to an announcement by Channel 7. Greenhalgh, an accomplished journalist and foreign correspondent, returns to her hometown after several years of overseas reporting, in a move that marks a significant change for the network’s Brisbane news team.
Greenhalgh, a Brisbane native, takes on the role following the high-profile departure of former presenter Sharyn Ghidella earlier this year. She will share the news desk with Futcher, alongside sports presenter Shane Webcke and meteorologist Tony Auden. This refreshed lineup will make its first appearance on-air later this month.
In her most recent role with 7NEWS Spotlight, Greenhalgh has earned multiple accolades, including recognition at the Walkley Awards, the Kennedy Awards, and the Queensland Clarion Awards. Her investigative reporting and foreign coverage, including her reporting on the Turkey-Syria earthquakes in 2023, earned her a Logie Award nomination.
Speaking ahead of her return to Brisbane, Greenhalgh expressed her excitement about the opportunity to work alongside Futcher, a long-time colleague. “Max has been an incredibly supportive colleague and mate of mine for the past 11 years now, so to be sharing the news desk with him while also returning home to my original 7NEWS family is a huge thrill,” she said. Greenhalgh added that, in addition to presenting the news, she is looking forward to continuing her investigative work with 7NEWS Spotlight. “Sharing people’s stories remains my greatest passion, so in addition to delivering the news to Queenslanders each night, I look forward to continuing investigations with the 7NEWS Spotlight team as well.”
Futcher, who has been with Channel 7 for over 30 years, welcomed Greenhalgh’s return, noting her impressive career. “I’ve known Sarah for many years now and have so much respect for her and what she has achieved throughout her career. I can’t wait for our viewers to get to know Sarah too, as we share the news that matters to them each weeknight,” he said.
Anthony De Ceglie, Seven Network’s Director of News and Current Affairs and Editor-in-Chief of Seven West Media, praised Greenhalgh’s career trajectory, which began in regional Queensland before taking her to major international news stories. “Sarah is an extremely accomplished journalist who has had a remarkable career rise that all started as a reporter in regional Queensland. We’re incredibly excited for this next chapter in her career, where she won’t just be the co-anchor for our must-watch 6.00pm bulletin alongside Max but will also be a leader across the newsroom championing journalism and investigations,” De Ceglie said.
Greenhalgh’s career with the network spans over a decade, beginning as a helicopter traffic reporter in Brisbane, followed by roles in regional newsrooms in Mackay and Cairns. She returned to Brisbane in 2013, covering a wide range of major stories, from natural disasters to high-profile crime. In 2019, she took on the role of Seven’s Europe Correspondent based in London, where she reported on key global events such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ukraine war, and the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
In addition to Greenhalgh’s appointment, Katrina Blowers, another highly regarded figure at Seven, has been promoted to Queensland Chief Reporter. Blowers, a well-known face in Queensland media, will take on greater responsibilities, leading investigative stories that impact both Queensland and the nation. Commenting on her promotion, De Ceglie noted, “Katrina is one of the fiercest and most respected news reporters in the country, and in this new role, she will take the lead on uncovering and delivering north-east Australia’s biggest stories to our national audiences.”
Blowers will continue co-presenting the 4.00pm weekday bulletin alongside Samantha Heathwood, who will remain the anchor for 7NEWS’ 6.00pm weekend edition.
