Channel Seven presenter Sharyn Ghidella has garnered support from big names in the industry after being axed by the network.
The veteran was laid off after nearly four decades working in the news industry.
Ghidella, 58, the face of Seven News in Queensland since 2007, confirmed the news in an impassioned Facebook post on Friday.
She received an outpouring of supportive comments, including from journalist Tracey Spicer.
“My dear, these are beautiful but heartbreaking words. It devastates us to know that after all these years of loyal and professional service, you have been treated this way,” Spicer wrote.
“It’s terrible to see what’s happening on Channel 7. However, you’re right: we don’t need news with horoscopes. I think of you and your family with much love and support.”
Melissa Hoyer also chimed in: “When I first met you many, many years ago, you have never changed since. As a journalist, you are grounded, credible and authentic. As a person, you are compassionate, caring and interesting.
“It’s a tragedy that so many people with a wealth of experience, mentors and who remained totally relevant have been ‘banished’. It makes no sense. Good luck with the next chapter, SG. Sending you all my love.”
Channel Seven presenter Sharyn Ghidella (pictured) has garnered support from big names in the industry after being axed by the network.
Queensland Deputy Premier Cameron Dick also commented: “You have been a familiar and comforting face to many Queenslanders. Thank you, Sharyn. So sad to see you go.”
“Oh Sharyn, this is devastating news. Not only are you one of the most reliable and credible journalists this country has, but you have demonstrated your genuine concern for others in the tremendous charitable work you have done over many years,” said cartoonist Steve Panozzo.
‘The accountants in charge of television these days routinely display their ignorance about the assets they hold and his dismissal is just another example of that tone deafness, inability to ‘read the room’ and complete failure to recognise the value of experience when delivering the news.’
Ghidella said in her post that her “tap on the shoulder” finally came while she was in the salon, admitting it was a “relief” of sorts after several anxious weeks over media job cuts.
She received an outpouring of supportive comments, including from journalist Tracey Spicer.
But she was determined not to go quietly and criticised the ailing network for prioritising gimmicks like astrological readings over retaining veteran talent.
“When you work in television for as long as I have, not a day goes by that you don’t expect a tap on the shoulder… After 38 years, I finally got a tap on the shoulder,” Ghidella began.
‘It wasn’t exactly how I expected it to end up at Channel Seven.
‘I was sitting in the salon for work when I got a call telling me that after 17 years at the chain, my time was up.’
Ghidella later said her recent time at the network had been “miserable” and that she was glad to be walking out the door.
“While I am a little saddened by this decision, I also feel a certain relief. As has been widely reported, the past two weeks on television have sadly been a miserable affair,” he wrote.
‘A long list of talented, loyal and dedicated employees have been shown the door, in what seems to have been a never-ending process of slowly ripping off the band-aid when it comes to removing what has been deemed excess stock.
Ghidella (center) said her “tap on the shoulder” finally came while she was in the living room getting ready for work, admitting it was a bit of a “relief” after several weeks of anxiety over media job cuts.
“These people are some of the best content creators in the industry. They’re good people and it’s been heartbreaking to watch.”
Ghidella added that he was not happy with the rebranding of the network’s news programming, which will see comedian Mark Humphries doing a comedy sketch at 6:57pm tonight, and ‘Astro Tash’ starting an astrology report next week.
“I’m also not one to like the evening news with humor and horoscopes, so to be honest, it’s time for me to go,” Ghidella joked.
“As I often say, the caravan moves on. There is certainly still a lot of talent in the team and I wish them all the best for the future.”
He ended his post by bluntly thanking the many friends he had made throughout his long career at the network.
Ghidella’s fiery Facebook post took aim at the network for prioritising gimmicks like astrological readings over retaining veteran talent. (She is seen in 2006 while working at Channel Nine.)
‘I want to express my sincere thanks to everyone who has made this possible so far, including previous employers such as the Stokes, Packer and Gleeson families and the news directors, executive producers and station managers who saw fit to give a young boy from Babinda (in rural Queensland) a chance. I owe them a lot.
“Then there are the viewers… You will never know how much your generosity and support means to you. What a privilege it is to be welcomed into your homes to bring you the news of the day,” he added.
Daily Mail Australia has obtained an email in support of Ghidella’s sacking from Seven Queensland news director Michael Coombes.
“For 17 years, Sharyn has been a welcome guest in salons across Queensland – always professional, always reliable, always warm,” Coombes wrote.
But to all of us, she is much more: a mentor, a colleague, a friend.
Sharyn said her recent time at the network had been “miserable” and she was glad to be leaving.
‘I regret that the team and our fans will not have the opportunity to give him the send-off he deserves, but I fully respect and understand his wishes.
“I have nothing but admiration and gratitude for Sharyn. And I know you will all join me in wishing her the best for the future,” he concluded.
Anthony De Ceglie, the controversial newcomer from Seven’s Western Australian newspaper business who now heads the television news division, added: ‘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 the sincerest thanks from everyone at Seven and our best wishes for the future.”
Ghidella has worked for Ten, Nine and Seven during her long media career.
The North Queensland native was a news presenter on Nine’s Today show before joining Channel Seven in 2007.
The news comes amid industry rumours about the possible sale of Seven. The Australian speculated that “you can almost bet that the Seven broadcaster is up for sale right now. It’s just a question of price.”
Melbourne crime reporter Cameron Baud (pictured) was recently sacked by the Network.
Robert Ovadia (pictured) has announced he will take Seven to the Fair Work Commission for unfair dismissal
In January 2013, Ghidella began presenting Seven News Brisbane from Sunday to Thursday and was also appointed presenter of Today Tonight Queensland before the show’s closure in February 2014.
Her partner is freelance videographer Paul Croll, and the couple share two children.
There has been a bloodbath at Seven in the wake of cost cuts as the broadcaster’s news division comes under new management.
Three big names to have recently appeared on the network include veterans Robert Ovadia, Andrew Frampton and seasoned Melbourne crime reporter Cameron Baud, known to friends as the “Reaper of Sorrows” for his grim reporting.
On the Sydney front, Ovadia – perhaps the most high-profile figure in all the dismissals until Ghidella’s – has announced he will take Seven to the Fair Work Commission for unfair dismissal.
Daily Mail Australia has revealed that Ovadia allegedly sent a series of bizarre and manipulated images to a young female journalist before he was dumped.
