Georgie Gardner Announces Shock Exit From Channel 9 After Nearly 25 Years

Australian television audiences are preparing to say goodbye to one of the country’s most recognizable news presenters after Georgie Gardner confirmed she will leave the Nine Network following nearly 25 years with the broadcaster. The veteran journalist, who currently anchors Sydney’s 6pm weekend news bulletin, announced that her final appearance on air will take place on April 17.

Gardner’s departure marks the end of a long and influential chapter in Australian television journalism. Over more than two decades at Nine, she built a reputation as one of the network’s most versatile and trusted broadcasters, appearing across multiple news formats including reporting, hosting, newsreading, and anchoring major bulletins.

In a statement announcing her exit, Gardner reflected on her time with the network and the opportunities she was given during her career.

“I could not be more grateful for the range of opportunities Nine has afforded me over nearly a quarter of a century,” Gardner said. “Anchoring news bulletins across the day, as well as reporting and hosting roles on virtually every news program at the network, has been incredibly satisfying and an enormous privilege.”

She also expressed appreciation for colleagues and viewers who followed her career over the years, saying she would remain thankful to those she worked alongside in the newsroom and to audiences who watched her throughout her time on television.

Georgie Gardner’s long career at Channel 9

Gardner first joined the Nine Network in 2002, starting in a role presenting the 6pm weekday weather alongside legendary newsreader Brian Henderson. At the time, the role introduced her to a wide Sydney audience and helped establish her presence within the network’s news division.

Her national profile expanded significantly in 2007 when she joined the Today show as a newsreader. The role brought Gardner into millions of Australian homes each morning and quickly made her a familiar face in breakfast television.

During her time on the program she also served as a fill-in host, demonstrating her ability to move beyond newsreading into full presenting duties. Breakfast television requires presenters who can seamlessly shift between serious news coverage, interviews, lifestyle segments, and breaking events, and Gardner’s calm on-air style helped her succeed in that environment.

Her years on the Today show were widely viewed as a defining stage of her career, helping cement her reputation as one of the most respected journalists on Australian television.

Departure from Today show and return in 2018

In 2014, Gardner made the difficult decision to leave the Today show, announcing her resignation live on air. At the time she described the move as an emotional moment, saying it had “not been an easy decision to leave a show that is an Australian television institution.”

Despite stepping away from breakfast television, Gardner remained a prominent figure within Nine’s news division and continued working in other roles across the network.

Four years later, in 2018, she returned to the Today show — this time as one of the program’s hosts. Gardner initially co-hosted alongside Karl Stefanovic before later forming a hosting partnership with Deborah Knight. The pairing of Gardner and Knight marked a rare moment in Australian breakfast television, as the show featured two female hosts at the same time.

However, the arrangement lasted less than a year before further changes to the Today lineup led Gardner back to the Sydney news desk.

Returning to the Nine News desk

Following her return from breakfast television, Gardner resumed her role as a news anchor in Sydney, eventually becoming the presenter of Nine’s 6pm weekend news bulletins.

The role allowed her to continue delivering major news events to viewers while maintaining a consistent presence within the network’s evening news coverage.

Over the years Gardner covered a wide range of major national and international stories, helping guide audiences through some of the most significant news events of the past two decades.

Her calm delivery and professional approach during breaking news situations earned her widespread respect both within the newsroom and among viewers across Australia.

Nine executives praise Gardner’s career

Nine’s executive director of news and current affairs, Fiona Dear, praised Gardner’s long career with the broadcaster and acknowledged the significant impact she had across the network’s news programming.

Dear described Gardner as a journalist whose versatility allowed her to take on almost every on-air news role during her time with the company.

“It’s a remarkable achievement and during that time Georgie has been loved and respected by audiences across Australia,” Dear said.

She added that Gardner had a “front-row seat to some of the most important moments in history,” delivering major news stories to audiences across multiple timeslots — from early morning broadcasts to evening bulletins and late-night news coverage.

Dear also highlighted Gardner’s professionalism during major breaking news events, describing her as one of the most talented and composed newsreaders in the country.

The network confirmed it fully supports Gardner’s decision to step away from television news and thanked her for her long service.

Final bulletin scheduled for April

Gardner will present her final Nine News bulletin on April 17, bringing to a close a career that has spanned almost a quarter of a century at the broadcaster.

Details about who will replace her in the weekend anchor role have not yet been announced, though the network is expected to reveal a successor in the coming weeks.

The news of Gardner’s departure has quickly attracted attention across the Australian media industry, with coverage appearing across multiple outlets including The Sydney Morning Herald.

For many viewers, Gardner’s departure represents the end of an era in Australian television news. Having spent decades delivering daily updates and guiding audiences through breaking stories, she leaves behind a legacy defined by professionalism, experience, and viewer trust.

While her next move has not yet been revealed, Gardner’s long career suggests she will remain a respected figure within Australian media even after stepping away from the Nine newsroom.