Gay Alcorn will step down from her position as editor of The Age after two years in the role to spend time caring for her unwell husband.
An internal and external recruitment process will now be conducted to find a new editor to lead The Age team, and acting editor Michael Bachelard will remain in place until this is completed.
Executive editor Tory Maguire said it was a sad outcome for Alcorn to cut short her editorship, and that Alcorn would return to The Age in a senior role when she was able.
Maguire said: “Gay has led The Age through two incredibly challenging and exhilarating years covering the story of a lifetime, and she has done so with energy, passion, ambition and intellectual prowess.
“Under her editorship, The Age returned to the centre of Melbourne’s cultural life, broke countless stories with impact and challenged its readers to think widely and deeply.
“I will miss Gay’s fresh take on the big issues, as well as her infectious enthusiasm for news and ideas, and I look forward to having her back in the newsroom in the future.”
Maguire also thanked Bachelard for his willingness to act in the role, which he has been doing since September; he said: “We’re very lucky to have someone of Michael’s experience and talent to lead The Age through this transition period. He took on this role just before the Victorian Election and continues to demonstrate leadership and judgement every day,” said Maguire.
Alcorn said she was sad to be resigning as editor. “This job has been the most challenging, interesting and rewarding in my professional life.
“I love The Age and what it stands for. But it is the right thing for my family for me to step down and for The Age to have a new leader.”
A recruitment advertisement will be published in the coming days.
