Channel 7 sports presenter Abbey Gelmi landed dream job after making Melbourne home

Rising TV star Abbey Gelmi has landed her ‘dream’ Channel 7 newsreading gig, but admits it only became possible because of this move.

Abbey Gelmi says the decision to move to Melbourne last year enabled her to land her “dream” job.

Gelmi, who has co-hosted the Tokyo Olympics and Winter Olympics, will continue her rise as a host with Seven when she takes over from Jacqui Felgate presenting the weekend sport news bulletins.

She will also host Footy Central during the footy coverage, starting Saturday night.

Felgate left her position after almost a decade last Sunday.

Abbey Gelmi hosted the Tokyo Olympics and Winter Olympics.

“If you’re talking about the sporting capital of the country, there’s no question it is Melbourne and the opportunities that have opened up to me from being here have been huge,’’ Gelmi said.

“As much as I loved Sydney, being here is a wonderful move, I couldn’t be more excited to have a home now in the newsroom as well as the sports office. I get to have the best of both worlds... it doesn’t get much better than that.”

Gelmi, who grew up as a footy fanatic in WA and has two journalism degrees, will also host the Commonwealth Games in July.

Her footy connection is also strong as the partner of Richmond premiership midfielder Kane Lambert.

“We’re going really well,’’ Gelmi said.

Abbey Gelmi.

“Footy is very much part of the WA DNA and coming to Melbourne and returning to a place where sport, as well as football, is a part of the culture, has been really wonderful.

“I did have an inkling but until you’re actually here you don’t realise how much.

“We saw during the pandemic when football continued it was something for people to look forward to. That’s what I love about sport it brings out the best in people and the best in fans.”

Gelmi said she’s learnt much from hosting colleagues Bruce McAvaney and Hamish McLachlan, plus Felgate, and hopes to grow more the same from weekend news presenters Mike Amor and Rebecca Maddern.

Seven presenter Jacqueline Felgate left her job at Channel 7 after almost a decade last week. Picture: Instagram

“Jacqui absolutely deserved to go out on the terms that she did,’’ Gelmi said.

“Given how much she’d done for everyone, not only through Covid keeping us all informed and also the things she achieved during her career, is something I really admire and also the way she handled herself.

“It’s going to sound cliché, but I’m lucky to work with the best in the world.

“When you talk about Bruce, the best that’s ever been, it’s not lost on me how fortunate I have been to have those opportunities. Working with Hame I’ve learned so much too... I’m really excited to be taking up the role.”