‘It’s very emotional’: Axed presenter Sarah Macdonald to return to ABC 702 Sydney

Broadcaster Sarah Macdonald will return to her role as presenter of the Afternoons show on 702 ABC Sydney radio next year. Inspired by her late friend and former colleague James Valentine, Macdonald will take over the show from March 2027. She will begin presenting the show from March next year, continuing the legacy of her late friend who had presented the program for over two decades.

Macdonald presented the station's Mornings show between 2023 and 2024 and will return to helm the Afternoons show, which was previously hosted by her former colleague. She expressed her desire to honour Valentine's legacy by presenting a show that resonates with the values and style he had established. Macdonald's return to 702 ABC Sydney is a homecoming she never thought would happen, as she described her journey since joining the station.

She mentioned her recent focus on becoming a spokesperson for the growing number of Australians in the so-called Sandwich Generation, which includes caring for both aging parents and adult children. This experience has further inspired her outlook on life and her approach to presenting. Macdonald's return to the Afternoons show is seen as a positive addition to the station's lineup, with her deep understanding of the audience and the program's significance to its listeners.