This week, we farewelled veteran broadcaster Fran Kelly, who has departed RN Breakfast after 17 years in the role.
Fran was a relatively late starter to journalism, having first studied arts at Adelaide University, where she majored in literature and the classics. She also fronted several music groups — most notably, the all-female new wave band, Toxic Shock.
Her first foray into radio was in the mid-1980s on a Melbourne community radio station, Triple R's Backchat program. In 1988, she got her break and moved to Sydney to start at the ABC as a journalist on triple j's current affairs program, The Drum.
Within a few years, she was in Canberra, with a front-row seat to major political events, such as the Hawke-Keating leadership struggle. Over the next decade, she worked in coveted roles, including chief political correspondent for ABC Radio's AM and PM programs, political editor for RN Breakfast and political editor for ABC TV's 7.30 Report.
Fran spent two years in London as the ABC's Europe correspondent, before returning to Australia to take up the role of RN Breakfast presenter in 2005.
Hear Fran's final show, featuring
highlights from her illustrious career, a
send-off from current and former politicians, and a
touching musical tribute from The Whitlams frontman, Tim Freedman.
You can also tune into
Double J's deep dive into Fran's personal story and musical adventures.
Luckily for us, Fran is staying at the ABC to work on new and exciting projects, alongside her popular RN podcast,
The Party Room. We wish her all the best — and plenty of sleep-ins.
Until next time,
Annika Blau, RN digital editor
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