Georgie Gardner calls time on her 25-year career at Nine: 'Time to embark on a new chapter'
Much-loved Nine Network newsreader Georgie Gardner has resigned after more than two decades on our screens.
Gardner took to Instagram today to announce she had resigned from her role at Nine after 34 years in broadcast journalism, and would be open to new opportunities.
Gardner, 55, started her career in radio as a cadet on Newcastle radio station, Radio 2NX, before moving to Sydney's 2Day FM. She made the jump to television in 1997.
Georgie Gardener has resigned after two decades at 9News. Instagram
Georgie announced the news in a statement on her Instagram page.
"Some exciting news… after 34 years of broadcast journalism, I've decided to call it a day. Just shy of 24 years at Nine, my resignation has been accepted – which conjures up a fair bit of trepidation and exhilaration in equal measure.
"So time now to embark on a new chapterand not yet sure what that looks like, but I'm open to new opportunities and I'm excited. So much still to learn & discover in the world, and at age 55, so much still to contribute.
"Starting out at 2NX Newcastle in 1992 as a wide-eyed 21 year old from Perth, little did I realise my career path would be so rich and rewarding.
READ MORE: Nicole Kidman reveals worst on-screen kiss
READ MORE: The Crown and Downton Abbey star dies
READ MORE: 'Nothing they can do': Mel Schilling shares devastating cancer update
"Opening my mind to new ideas, satiating my curiosity for news and current affairs, highlighting causes for positive change, and accommodating my passion for communicating and connecting with people… broadcasting has been a great gift.
She went on to thank the sea of colleagues she's worked with over her long career on the network.
"Then there are the countless colleagues who've enriched my journey, along with all those I've interviewed. They are the reason why the decision to resign has not been made lightly," she continued.
"So to them and our viewers, I am immensely grateful. It's been awesome, and it's time."
Gardener's final 6pm Sydney news bulletin will be on Friday 17th April.
Perth-born Gardner said she started her career as a "wide-eyed 21-year-old" on Newcastle radio.
For the better part of 17 years, Georgie has anchored 9News Sydney's 6pm weekend bulletin. Getty
From there, she moved to Sydney's 2Day FM in 1994, where she spent three years as the drive-time newsreader before joining the Ten Network as a television news reporter and fill-in presenter in 1997.
In 1998, she moved to the Seven Network to read its late news and went on to co-host its Sunrise program for two years before defecting to Nine in 2002.
She started out presenting the weather during the 6pm Sydney news bulletin with Brian Henderson and hosting afternoon news updates.
In 2004, she became the original presenter of Nine's National Nine News Afternoon Edition at 4.30pm. Two years later, she became Nine's national morning news presenter and then the Today show's newsreader and fill-in host – a role she held until 2014.
She also took on the Nine News Sydney weekend presenter role.
In 2014, Gardner announced she was leaving Today to spend more time with her family.
Gardner has been a much-loved addition to Aussie TV for decades. Instagram/@georgiegardner9
She returned to the Today show as co-host in 2018 alongside Deborah Knight.
For the better part of 17 years, Georgie has anchored 9News Sydney's 6pm weekend bulletin.
She is the only Australian news presenter to have presented the late bulletin on all three of the major commercial networks.
Executive Director, News and Current Affairs, Fiona Dear said in a statement: "Georgie's versatility as a presenter has seen her hold almost every on-air news role at Nine.
"It's a remarkable achievement and during that time Georgie has been loved and respected by audiences across Australia.
"She has had a front row seat to some of the most important moments in history, delivering the biggest news stories to audiences first thing in the morning, in prime time at 6pm and late into the evening with Nightline.
"Georgie's professionalism and composure during breaking news events makes her one of the most talented newsreaders in the country. Georgie's decision to step away from television news has our full support and we thank her and wish her well in her future endeavours."
FOLLOW US ON WHATSAPP HERE: Stay across all the latest in celebrity, lifestyle and opinion via our WhatsApp channel. No comments, no algorithm and nobody can see your private details.
