Veteran journalist Gary Adshead has announced his departure from ABC Radio, stepping down from the Drive program less than a year after taking over the afternoon slot. Adshead informed listeners on December 12, 2023, that personal considerations led him to this decision, which marks the end of his tenure as host.
During his announcement, Adshead expressed his struggles with the demanding nature of live broadcasting. “I’ve been finding what I refer to as the day-to-day hamster wheel of preparing and getting through the three hours of live broadcasting to be more of a challenge this time around,” he stated. He further mentioned that after four decades in journalism, the pressures of meeting unmovable deadlines had become increasingly difficult to manage.
Adshead’s final broadcast is scheduled for December 12, after which he will transition to a writing position at Business News. In his time at ABC, he successfully increased the program’s audience share, achieving a rise from 4.8 percent to 6.9 percent within just a few months.
ABC Radio Perth manager Danielle Benda expressed her regret at Adshead’s departure. “Gary has been a brilliant addition to the 720 ABC Perth lineup since joining us at the start of the year, bringing a great energy and curiosity to the Drive program,” she said. Benda highlighted Adshead’s ability to break news stories and introduce a variety of voices and perspectives to the audience.
Before joining ABC, Adshead was with 6PR, where he made headlines for resigning a year before the end of his contract due to a programming overhaul. Reflecting on his time there, he mentioned feeling that Nine Radio had abandoned radio news in Western Australia, stating, “I don’t think I was treated well… I just didn’t want to be in no-man’s-land.”
Adshead’s career has spanned over four decades, including notable roles such as chief of staff at Seven Network and State political editor at The West Australian. His decision to leave ABC highlights the ongoing challenges faced by seasoned professionals in the rapidly evolving media landscape.
As Adshead prepares to close this chapter, his contributions to the Drive program and the wider media community will be remembered, and his future endeavors in writing are highly anticipated.
