Michael Rowland has announced his retirement from ABC News Breakfast.
The 55-year-old broke the news to viewers on Monday morning’s show, revealing his last show would be on Friday, December 13.
‘I’m leaving News Breakfast,’ Rowland announced.
‘I’m sorry to the viewers out there for the short notice. I’m not one for long and drawn out farewells and I wanted minimal fuss.
‘I love the job, it’s the best job I’ve had in the ABC. In fact, anywhere. But after 15 years of 3am starts my body is screaming “enough!”. And so too is my wife.
‘It’s been an immense privilege to be here for 15 years presenting the news to our viewers. That, to me, has been by far the most important part of the job for me.’
Michael Rowland (pictured) has announced his retirement from ABC News Breakfast
Rowland has been co-host of News Breakfast since 2010 after first joining the ABC in 1987.
Despite leaving News Breakfast next week, he will remain at the network and return in mid-2025 for ‘exciting future projects’.
‘It has been a thrill interviewing everyone from prime ministers to Hollywood superstars,’ Rowland said in a statement.
‘On what other program can you switch from presenting hard news to diving into a chilli-eating competition or dancing the Nutbush (badly)?
‘I will miss the fabulous Brekky team, but I will miss our viewers even more. I am intensely proud of helping build the News Breakfast audience over the years. Thank you all sincerely for entrusting me with your mornings.
‘I’ll be taking a long break to catch up on sleep and unhook myself from the relentless news cycle for a little while.’
Rowland began his career at the ABC as a news cadet in 1987 and spent five years as a political reporter in Canberra.
He later spent four years as the ABC’s correspondent in Washington as a business reporter and covered four US presidential elections as well as the global financial crisis, the Black Summer bushfires and floods in New South Wales and Victoria.
The 55-year-old broke the news to viewers on Monday morning’s show, revealing his last show would be on Friday, December 13
‘I love the job, it’s the best job I’ve had in the ABC. In fact, anywhere. But after 15 years of 3am starts my body is screaming “enough!”. And so too is my wife,’ he said
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The veteran journalist anchored the 100th anniversary of the Gallipoli landings and coverage of the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
Rowland has also served as Lateline’s economics correspondent and state political reporter in both New South Wales and Victoria.
ABC Director, News Justin Stevens, said in a statement: ‘Michael has been central to News Breakfast’s success over the past 15 years, a familiar and trusted face for viewers each morning.
‘His ability to traverse serious reporting as well as lighter topics, and do it on live TV for three hours every morning, shows what a hugely talented broadcaster he is.
‘We’ll miss him a lot on the News Brekky couch but we can’t wait to see what he does next for the ABC after a well-deserved rest.’
Meanwhile, Rowland’s ABC News Breakfast co-host Bridget Brennan said it has been ‘an honour and a privilege’ sitting alongside him.
Rowland began his career at the ABC as a news cadet in 1987 and spent five years as a political reporter in Canberra
‘I’ve been able to watch firsthand his enduring dedication to strong journalism and public service,’ Brennan said in a statement.
‘After 15 years, ns will miss his presence each and every morning enormously, but I know we all appreciate the incredible effort he has given to News Breakfast for such a long time.
‘Michael, I hope this next chapter brings long sleep-ins and more time to stay up late and watch your beloved Doggies!’
ABC will announce Rowland’s replacement at a later date.