ABC News host Mary Gearin quits public broadcaster

ABC host Mary Gearin has announced she will be stepping down from her role at the national network.

Gearin made a shock announcement Wednesday saying she would host the ABC News bulletin for the final time on Saturday.

“Some personal news: this Saturday evening’s ABC News bulletin will be my last. After 30 years at ABC, I’m calling time,” she wrote.

“Like many people, I have looked at life in a new way since the pandemic.

“I want to take time to explore myself away from Auntie’s warm embrace for a while, before determining what’s next for me in journalism and beyond.”

Gearin said she loved working at ABC, especially for the “deep connection” she made with the network’s audience.

Gearin said she loved working at ABC, especially for the “deep connection” she made with the network’s audience.

“I have loved every hard, crazy, special moment of working for ABC,” Gearin wrote.

“I especially want to thank the audience. I have developed a deep sense of connection with you and for that, I am very grateful.

“I am honored to have met people from such different backgrounds, around the world, and to tell their stories.”

Gearin joined the network in 1991 as a journalism cadet and became the first female television news sports anchor on the ABC.

During her 34-year tenure, she was ABC’s national sports correspondent, Europe correspondent, hosted Drive on ABC Radio Melbourne, co-hosted News Breakfast and spent 10 years working as a long-form specialist for the 7:30 a.m. program.

For the past five years, Gearin has worked as a news anchor and senior reporter based in Melbourne.

The senior reporter said she was leaving ABC to explore “other adventures.”

More soon