Two Veteran ABC Journalists Depart in the Same Week

Virginia Trioli and Michael Rowland have announced their departures from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). Trioli leaves after 27 years, while Rowland concludes a 39-year career.

Virginia Trioli's Departure

Announcement and Date

Virginia Trioli announced on Thursday that she will leave the ABC effective June 26. She cited a desire to pursue personal creative projects, including two books and a television script.

Career at the ABC

Trioli has worked at the ABC for 27 years. Her roles included:

• Founding anchor of ABC TV's News Breakfast
• Host of Mornings on ABC Radio Melbourne
• Host of the TV series Creative Types with Virginia Trioli

Prior to joining the ABC, Trioli worked at The Age newspaper and The Bulletin.

Awards

Trioli received a Walkley Award in 2001 for an interview with former defense minister Peter Reith regarding the Children Overboard Affair.

Statements

"After spending all this time with a whole lot of creative types, I realized that I kind of am one, too. And that's really what I want to go and focus on now."

She added that she will miss the audiences and colleagues she worked with closely. Trioli described the ABC as "an institution that is always going to be grumbled about and always going to be complained about. But there's always much more good in it than there is to criticise."

ABC managing director Hugh Marks acknowledged Trioli's contributions and expressed hope for future collaboration.

Final Column

Trioli's final column is scheduled for next week. In it, she discusses internet pasta (copypasta) and a widely circulated quote falsely attributed to actress Tilda Swinton: "If you didn't do it at 40, do it at 60."

She examines the appeal and privilege underlying such messages, noting that midlife reinvention is not equally available due to factors including class, health, race, geography, and caring responsibilities. She argues the quote can serve as a question—"what might still be possible?"—rather than a command.

Michael Rowland's Departure

Announcement and Date

Michael Rowland, national affairs reporter for 7.30, is departing the ABC after 39 years. His final day at the ABC is scheduled for Friday. Rowland stated his decision was made after almost four decades in daily news and current affairs.

Career at the ABC

Rowland began his tenure at the ABC as a cadet journalist in January 1987 at age 18. His career included:

• Early Career: Began as a cadet, learning news writing through early journalistic training methods.
• Technological Evolution: Witnessed and adapted to changes in news production, from typing stories in triplicate to using mobile phones for reporting.
• Canberra and Melbourne: Covered NSW politics, spent five years in the Canberra press gallery reporting on the Keating and Howard prime ministerships, and covered Jeff Kennett's government in Melbourne.
• Business and Finance: Spent several years covering business and finance.
• Washington Correspondent: Served four years in the US as a Washington correspondent. During this period, he reported on the election of Barack Obama, the David Hicks case at Guantanamo Bay, and the global financial crisis.
• News Breakfast Host: Hosted ABC News Breakfast for 15 years.
• 7.30 Program: Most recently worked with the team at 7.30.

Reflections on ABC's Values

"While much has changed in my 39 years, the ABC's guiding principles of truth, facts, and fairness have remained constant."

Rowland emphasized the importance of an independent national broadcaster in an era of misinformation and attributed the organization's significance to its role in providing a voice to people, often in distress. He also acknowledged the contributions of behind-the-scenes staff, including camera operators, editors, directors, producers, floor managers, and make-up artists.