Veteran Channel 7 newsreader Sharyn Ghidella has been axed after four decades in the media industry, in the latest round of musical chairs at the embattled broadcaster.
Ghidella, 58, took to Facebook on Friday to announce after 38 years working in TV her “shoulder tap has finally come”.
“It wasn’t quite how I expected it to end at Channel 7. I was actually sitting at the hairdressers for work, when I got the call informing me, that after 17 years with the network, my time was up,” the Seven News Brisbane presenter wrote.
“A long list of talented, loyal and dedicated employees have been shown the door, in what seems to have been an interminable process of pulling the band-aid off slowly when it comes to removing what’s been deemed excess stock from the building.
“I’ve seen the toll it’s taken on those who’ve left, those delivering the pain and those still there, and when it comes to witnessing this heartache, I think I’m done.”
Seven West Media is in the process of slashing headcounts at bureaus nationwide by 150 people following a drastic industry-wide downturn in free-to-air TV audiences and advertising revenue.
Ghidella appeared to take a parting shot at the broadcaster in her statement, revealing she was not a fan of its new editorial direction.
“I’m also not one to have my evening news served up with humour and horoscopes either, so, to be honest, it is time to go,” she said.
“As I’m known to say, the caravan moves on. There is certainly plenty of talent left in the building and I wish them nothing but the best moving forward.”
The face of the Seven News Brisbane 6pm bulletin also paid tribute to “all the newsmakers I’ve met along the way and the many people who have trusted me to tell their story to date”.
“I have never forgotten so, so many of you, particularly those I’ve encountered at the worst of times, in times of disaster and loss,” she said.
“I often wonder how you are getting on. I always hope by telling your story it made a difference and that you got through it all, that life treated you so much better after what you endured. You deserved that.
“So, for now, as I sign off for the last time from 7NEWS.. it’s good night from me.”
Ghidella started her career as a reporter and presenter for North Queensland Television (now 10 Qld).
The mother-of-two joined Seven in 2007 as a weekend presenter before shifting in 2013 to her current role as co-host of the nightly bulletins with Max Futcher.
Seven Brisbane’s Director of News Michael Coombes said: “For 17 years, Sharyn has been a welcome guest in loungerooms across Queensland – always professional, always reliable, always warm.”
“But for all of us, she is so much more. A mentor, a colleague, a friend. I have nothing but admiration and gratitude for Sharyn. And we wish her every success for the future.”
Newly appointed Seven Director of News and Current Affairs and Seven West Media Editor-in-Chief Anthony De Ceglie said he was “sorry to see her go”.
“She leaves with sincere thanks from everyone at Seven and our very best wishes for the future,” Mr De Ceglie said.
According to The Australian’s Media Writer Sophie Elsworth, Mr De Ceglie was brought in to drastically “turn the ship around” at Seven in the wake of the Spotlight scandal, which revealed shocking lengths the network went to secure an exclusive interview with rapist Bruce Lehrmann according to evidence given in his defamation case.
It comes amid the departure of multiple Seven employees including Sydney news director Neil Warren, Sydney chief of staff Andrew Frampton, Melbourne news director Shaun Menegola and crime reporter Cameron Baud.
Channel 7 journalist Robert Ovadia was also last month sacked from the network following allegations of inappropriate behaviour after 23 years in the company, with rival broadcaster Nine also embroiled in a series of allegations of inappropriate workplace conduct by former news boss Darren Wick.
Sky News Australia Business Editor Ross Greenwood last month said the “bloody” exodus was far from over with trade publication AdNews speculating that up to 100 more employees were staring down redundancy as Seven slashes costs.
“The lone survivor apart from major shareholder Kerry Stokes – who’s the chairman of course – is the former chief financial officer Jeff Howard, who’s now chief executive,” Mr Greenwood said.
Seven Group owns stakes in far more lucrative companies than Seven West Media including construction materials maker Boral, oil and gas company Beach Energy and equipment rental firm Coates Hire.