The ABC’s beloved Michael Rowland has today announced he’s leaving the public broadcaster after almost four decades.
Rowland, who stepped into the role of National Affairs Reporter for 7:30 after walking away from ABC News Breakfast in 2024, confirmed this Friday would be his last day on air.
“It’s not easy walking away from my professional home of the past 39 years, but in so many respects this is the right decision for me and my family,” he said in a statement.
“I am tremendously grateful for the many opportunities the ABC has given me over almost four decades. I have done everything from the overnight police rounds shift as an ABC cadet to presenting various national TV programs. I have had a charmed career.”
Rowland started with ABC aged 18, as a radio news cadet in Sydney, and said he is “tremendously grateful” for all of the opportunities that followed his first day.on breakfast TV.”
In a reflective piece written for the ABC this morning, he said: “I still remember the excitement in January 1987 when I received the call telling me I’d been hired as an ABC cadet journalist.”
“My mum reminds me I was gripping the wall next to the phone in shock. I could not believe my luck. Thirty-nine years later, I still can’t.”
It didn’t take long for him to work his way up the ladder, becoming Lateline’s Economics Correspondent and Washington Correspondent and later becoming co-presenter for ABC News Breakfast in Melbourne.
In his farewell statement, Rowland claimed he had “devoted literally most of my life to the ABC” and it was finally time to focus on his family.
“I am now keen to move on to the next stage – and spend more time with family and friends,” he said. “Thanks also to all the great colleagues and mentors I have worked with over the years, many of whom have become lifelong friends.
“I want to say a huge thank you to the ABC audience for watching, listening and reading over the years. Hopefully, I’ve left you all just a bit more informed from the thousands of stories I’ve reported and presented, and a bit brighter from my dubious gags.”
Rowland’s last day with the ABC will be Friday 27 February.
