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Glover's voice will fade,
Drive time won't be the same,
A new era's made.
End of an era: Richard Glover to exit ABC Radio Sydney's Drive after 26 years
Renowned presenter, journalist, and author Richard Glover is set to depart from 702 ABC Radio Sydney's Drive program at the end of November after a 26-year tenure, marking the end of an era for the popular program.
Glover, who began hosting Drive on 702 ABC Radio Sydney in 1998, is known for his blend of humour, news, pop culture, politics, and a variety of other topics.
His career at the ABC began in 1996, presenting Mornings, after previously working at the Sydney Morning Herald as Arts Editor, News Editor, and European Correspondent. He has been nominated for three Walkley Awards - two for print, and one for radio. Glover is also the author of several books, including the memoir 'Flesh Wounds' and the bestseller 'The Land Before Avocado'.
In 1998, Glover launched the popular 'Thank God It's Friday' (TGIF) program, which introduced a live studio audience in 2009. Glover, along with Peter FitzSimons, set a record for the world's longest radio interview in December 2011, an event supervised by Guinness World Records at the ABC Ultimo Studios.
"It's been a tough decision, but I've decided to leave the ABC Radio Sydney Drive show after 26 years, finishing at the end of November. It's one of the best jobs in Australian journalism, and I feel I've hogged it for long enough. It has a terrific audience - funny, wise, full of intellect but also willing to share some of the deeper stories of being human. The program also offers the chance to do anything. Every afternoon we have politics, literature, music and comedy, all jockeying for position," Glover said.
Glover plans to continue writing his column for the Sydney Morning Herald, attempt another book, and spend time with his grandchildren after leaving the Drive program. "Sometime in the future, there may be new opportunities for me at the ABC, but in the short-term I plan to keep writing my column for the Sydney Morning Herald, attempt another book and dote over my three grandchildren. I also plan to get my knees done (after years of boring my listeners with my problems.)" Glover said.
ABC Managing Director David Anderson praised Glover as a 'once in a generation broadcaster'. "Richard is a once in a generation broadcaster who manages to strike the balance between news and politics and just having a really good yarn on radio. I would like to thank Richard for giving so much of himself to his program. He has been an intrinsic part of 702 ABC Radio Sydney for more than 25 years and he will be missed by his colleagues and his audience in equal measure," Anderson said.
Glover's final program will be a TGIF spectacular on November 29, featuring Wendy Harmer, Tommy Dean and Tahir, with music from The Backsliders.