The Aussie media personalities who won and lost in 2024
As 2024 comes to a close, some Aussie high flyers in the business and entertainment industries will have more to celebrate than others. See who made the list and why.
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High flyers came down to Earth, big names faded out or signed off, and powerbrokers got passed over in 2024, a year of massive shake-ups in the world of business and the entertainment industry.
These are some of the personalities who won and lost this year.
CASUALTIES IN THE RADIO WARS
Aussie airwaves won’t be the same in 2025, with a slew of big names moving on.
Ray Hadley, 70, finished up at 2GB on December 13 after 43 years in radio, while Sydney’s ‘Golden Tonsils’ John Laws signed off from 2SM in November after an astonishing 71 years behind the mike.
There was turnover at the national broadcaster, with Patricia Karvelas departing Radio National’s breakfast program, with Sally Sara set to take over in 2025, while Richard Glover finished Sydney’s Drive program after 26 years, replaced by Chris Bath.
In Victoria, MasterChef host Matt Preston said goodbye to ABC Melbourne’s Saturday morning show after three years, but the big story of the year was Sydney duo Kyle and Jackie O bombing in the Melbourne market, while the pair they dislodged at KIIS FM, Jason Hawkins and Lauren Phillips, decamped to Nova and wound up back on top.
David ‘Hughesy’ Hughes, Erin Molan and Ed Kavalee had their show on 2DayFM axed in August, while Hugh Jackman’s bestie, Gus Worland, announced he was leaving Triple M after 16 years.
Most dramatic of all, Olympic swimmer Susie O’Neill quit her spot on Nova Brisbane live on air in October.
A BAD YEAR TO RUN A TV NETWORK
Seven CEO James Warburton quit in March after explosive court allegations a Seven producer may have paid for drugs and sex workers with company coin to secure an interview with Bruce Lehrmann, the former Liberal Party staffer accused of raping his colleague Brittany Higgins.
It came after Seven also wrongly identified as innocent man as the Westfield Bondi Junction mass killer.
Mike Sneesby resigned as CEO of Nine in September, while company chairman Peter Costello quit in June and head of news Darren Wick departed in March.
The Nine network was rocked by allegations that a culture of bullying and sexual harassment had been allowed to fester.
And ABC managing director David Anderson quit in August despite being just a year into his second five-year term following a 35 year career at the public broadcaster.
BELOVED NEWSREADER AXED
There were changes on-screen as well. Brisbane’s Sharyn Ghidella was axed by Channel Seven as 6pm newsreader in July, but she was snapped up by Channel 10 to lead their bulletin in September.
FINDING HIS OWN VOICE
Guy Sebastian departed his role as a judge on Channel 7’s The Voice after six years.
He will be taking time to focus on his music.
WOOLWORTHS CEO LEAVES TOP JOB
In February, Woolworths CEO Brad Banducci announced his intention to retire after eight years, amid increasing scrutiny and criticism of high prices being charged by Australian supermarkets.
Banducci sensationally walked out of a Four Corners interview after being questioned about competition in the sector.
He was succeeded in the role by Amanda Barwell.
NEW TWIST FOR TECH TITAN
The co-CEO of tech giant Atlassian stood down in April.
Scott Farquhar leaves the business in the hands of his co-founder Mike Cannon-Brookes.
Mr Farquhar sold his trophy home Elaine in Sydney’s eastern suburbs for $130 million in October.
FINTECH FOUNDER DEPARTS
Anthony Eisen stepped down from executive duties at Afterpay in October, although he remains a director at the company’s local arm.
UNION BOSS EXITS
John Setka resigned as the Victorian branch secretary of the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union in July after 12 years in the job.
His resignation came after media reports that bikies and criminals had been working for the union.
The month after Setka quit, the union was placed into administration.
MOVING ON FROM MINDEROO
After confirming in 2023 that their 31-year marriage was over, mining billionaires Nicola and Andrew “Twiggy” Forrest announced they would be stepping down as co-chairs of the Minderoo Foundation in October.
The Forrests will continue at Minderoo as non-executive directors.
Dr Forrest will continue as executive chairman of iron ore miner Fortescue, while Ms Forrest has established her own non-profit Coaxial Foundation.
FINAL BOWS FOR JOYCE
Former Qantas boss Alan Joyce stepped down as chair of the Sydney Theatre Company in January, months after departing the airline in late 2023.
The theatre company had been slammed for its mishandling of an incident in November 2023 when three actors appeared on stage wearing traditional Palestinian scarfs during a curtain call. Claims of anti-Semitism followed, and many Jewish supporters of the company withdrew their donations as a result.
LAST SIREN AT COLLINGWOOD
After three years at the helm, Jeff Browne did not seek re-election as president of Collingwood at the club’s recent AGM. Former Australia Post chief executive Christine Holgate also stepped down after nine years on the Magpies’ board.
FRANKLINS’ FARMING FUTURE ON HOLD
Model and businesswoman Jesinta Franklin and her retired AFL star husband Buddy hoped to be embarking on a new venture in 2024, with plans to sell up their luxury Gold Coast hinterland mansion and move into farming. But the couple remain in limbo after the property was passed over at auction as it did not meet the $11 million reserve.
PROPERTY, POPULARITY AND THE PM
Property also proved to be problematic for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in 2024.
In September, Albo and his partner Jodie Haydon took out a mortgage to purchase a luxury clifftop mansion on the NSW Central Coast for $4.3 million.
But the move proved controversial for many voters, with some commentators suggesting it contributed to his slide in opinion polls.
More real estate drama came in November, when the PM had to lob $150,000 off the asking price for an investment property he owned in Sydney’s Dulwich Hill, after it initially failed to sell.
BACK IN FASHION
Top model Megan Gale made a comeback as an official friend and ambassador of the David Jones 2024 Spring Collection. Ms Gale, 49, retired from runway modelling in 2008.
MODEL OF SUCCESS
Gale was not the only Aussie model having a good year. Miranda Kerr signed a contract with Michael Hill as part of a glitzy rebrand of the Australian jewellery line. She also sold her Malibu home of a decade for around A$4 million.
LABEL CLIPPED
Dion Lee, the Australian high-end fashion label worn by the likes of Taylor Swift and Dua Lipa, entered voluntary administration in May. When administrators were unable to find a buyer, the brand sold off its remaining stock at a discount and closed for good in October.
ATHLEISURE QUEENS PART WAYS
Claire Greaves stepped back from PE Nation – the street wear brand she started with Pip Edwards in 2015. While she is no longer involved in the day-to-day running of the business, Ms Greaves does retain her shareholding.
A BODY BLOW
Fitness influencer Ashy Bines was forced to close her fashion label Baseline in June after a brain aneurysm diagnosis. The 35 year old said the news had forced her to reassess her life, but “ALL of me knows this is the right choice for my health, wellbeing and next chapter.”
SERVING UP
My Kitchen Rules favourite Manu Feildel opened Bistro Red Lion by Manu in July in Sydney’s inner west. The day-to-day running of the French restaurant will be handled by group executive chef Jamie Gannon.
CHANGE OF CLASS AT GLASS
Celebrity chef Luke Mangan is leaving Sydney’s Glass Brasserie at the end of the year.
Mr Mangan, 54, has led the team at Glass since it opened in 2005.
Chef de cuisine Natalie Murphy and head sommelier Mauro Bortolato will take the reins.
‘LAMBO GUY’ SPLASHES THE CASH
Billionaire investor Adrian “Mr Lambo” Portelli not only paid for “express shipping” to get his luxury Lamborghini yacht from Italy to Australia in record time this year, but he bought all five properties in Channel 9’s The Block auction.
In early December, South Australian police charged both Portelli and his business LMCT+ – which he describes as a shopping tool and rewards club – with conducting or assisting in the conduct of an unlawful lottery. He has denied any wrongdoing.
Update after horror alleged machete break-in
Two men and a teenager have been arrested after they allegedly broke into a house armed with a firearm, machete, and hammer.
Horror incident reveals grim holiday trend
An infant has been diagnosed with PTSD following a shocking incident, as experts warn the Christmas break can mark a dangerous period for children.