Nine has announced that Patrick Elligett has been appointed editor of The Age. Elligett replaces Gay Alcorn, who stepped down in December to take care of her unwell husband.
Elligett has been news director for The Age since 2020, and previous to that was world editor. Prior to joining The Age, he was editor of the New Daily.
Executive editor of The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald, Tory Maguire, said Elligett – who will begin his role on January 30 – is a leader who is naturally consultative and inclusive.
“It was an incredibly competitive field of candidates for this role, and Patrick laid out a highly strategic, clear-eyed and bold plan for growing The Age’s audience and subscriber base while also boosting the masthead’s role in leading the big conversations in Melbourne, Victoria and the nation,” said Maguire.
“The Age is in good hands. Patrick demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of reader trends and the challenges it presents. I’m very confident that his plan is the right one to steer The Age through the next few years of economic uncertainty, shifting habits and demographic change.”
Elligett’s journalistic career has seen him edit large and small regional publications and report for digital, print and broadcast media in Australia and overseas.
“It is an incredible honour to be entrusted with the leadership of such a significant institution,” said Elligett.
“Victorians look to The Age to provide responsible, fearless and rigorous journalism and that role is more important now than ever. I look forward to upholding The Age’s fine journalistic traditions and finding new ways to connect with Victorians on the issues they care about most.
“I would also like to thank Gay Alcorn for her intelligent, determined leadership and profound contribution to the journalism of The Age during the past three years.”
“I would like to give a special thanks to Michael Bachelard and Mat Dunckley who have acted as editor and deputy editor for many months now with amazing commitment and good will,” said Maguire.
