Sarah Macdonald to return to ABC 702 Sydney as Afternoons host

Radio presenter Sarah Macdonald will return to 702 ABC Sydney to host the Afternoons program starting in March. The move follows the non-renewal of her contract in November 2024, a decision that drew significant public criticism at the time.

Macdonald succeeds the late James Valentine, who hosted the program for over two decades before passing away from oesophageal cancer in April. Macdonald noted that she consulted with Valentine’s widow, Joanne Corrigan, before accepting the role. While Macdonald takes over the afternoon slot, James O’Loghlin and Kathryn Robinson, who co-hosted the program throughout 2026, will remain regular voices on the station.

During her hiatus from the ABC, Macdonald produced the caregiving podcast ‘Club Sandwich’, appeared on 2GB, and worked on a new book. ABC managing director Hugh Marks initiated discussions regarding her return.