Georgie Gardner bids an emotional farewell as she delivers her final 9News bulletin after 24 years with the network: ‘I’m blown away’

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Georgie Gardner presented her last 9News Sydney broadcast on Friday night, signaling the end of her time as a news anchor.

The veteran broadcaster, 55, was almost overcome with emotion as she bid farewell to viewers.

Weather presenter Sophie Walsh explained the influence Georgie had on her own career.

Tonight is a difficult night for everyone at Nine, as Georgie delivered her final news report. Sophie, clearly upset, said it won’t be the same without her, and she struggled to hold back tears.

You’ve had an amazing career and are truly respected in this industry. You’ve also been a fantastic mentor, not just to me, but to so many women here in the newsroom, and we want to celebrate everything you’ve accomplished tonight.

Before saying goodbye, a video played showcasing moments from Gardner’s impressive career. As the footage rolled, Ian Moss from Cold Chisel performed a rendition of the timeless song, Georgia On My Mind.

Sport presenter James Bracey was also full of praise for his co-star.

He said they felt incredibly fortunate to have lived with her in the studio, describing her as a truly exceptional person and a complete professional, and that everyone who knew her would agree.

Georgie was deeply touched by what her coworkers said, and jokingly made a humble comment about the nostalgic collection they put together for her.

She said watching the video reminded her of all the questionable hairstyles she’s had, but also brought back a lot of good memories.

It’s been a real honor to bring you the news for nearly 25 years. The news cycle moves so quickly and is often very complex, and I’ve truly valued the opportunity to keep you informed.

Ever since Brian Henderson first welcomed me to the 6PM news studio, I’ve always understood this job comes with a responsibility. That means being accurate, fair, and providing useful information, but also being genuine, kind, and respectful to everyone.

Georgie added that she felt honored to have been welcomed into people’s homes as a news presenter.

She expressed her gratitude for being invited into people’s homes or viewing spaces, emphasizing that she never takes such hospitality for granted and appreciates their trust.

Being in this position feels like just the visible part of a much larger effort. A truly exceptional team of reporters, producers, editors, technicians, and artists works tirelessly behind the scenes, and I have immense respect for each of them.

Georgie shared that she’s loved her time with Nine News and is grateful for everything she’s learned from her coworkers, both those still there and those who have moved on. However, she feels it’s now time for her to pursue new opportunities.

Georgie became emotional as she described how touched she was by all the support she’d received after sharing her news.

Honestly, the support and kindness I’ve received lately mean the world to me, especially with everything going on. It’s so hard to say goodbye, and it’s actually making me tear up, but I’m incredibly thankful for having had an experience that makes leaving so difficult. I’ll truly miss them.

Despite the emotional difficulty, she remained poised and professional as she finished her last broadcast with Allison Langdon and A Current Affair.

In March, Gardner announced she was leaving, expressing her thanks to Nine for the opportunities she’d been given throughout her career, and to her coworkers and the audience.

Oh my gosh, you guys, she announced it! After thirty-four years on TV, she’s actually leaving! I’m honestly so sad, but also SO excited for her! She’s been at Channel Nine for almost 24 years – can you believe it?! – and they’ve accepted her resignation. She said she’s feeling a mix of nerves and happiness, and honestly, SAME! It’s the end of an era, but I can’t wait to see what she does next! I’m totally obsessed, obviously.

I’m deeply grateful for the support of my many colleagues and the insights of everyone I’ve interviewed. Their contributions are why it’s been so difficult to decide to step down.

Gardner added that she was optimistic about starting the next phase of her career.

She added that she’s starting a new phase in her life and, while she doesn’t know exactly what’s next, she’s looking forward to new possibilities and is feeling optimistic.

‘So much still to learn and discover in the world, and at age 55, so much still to contribute.’

Gardner began working at Channel Nine in 2002 and later became the main host for the 6pm news on Fridays and Saturdays, taking over from Mark Ferguson.

I joined National Nine News Morning Edition back in 2006, taking over from Leila McKinnon. Then, I spent the next eight years as part of the Today team – it was a fantastic run!

She initially left her position at Today in 2014 to focus on her family, but later came back to co-host the show with Stefanovic after Lisa Wilkinson’s departure.

I was so thrilled when she co-hosted the show with Deborah Knight in 2019! It was great having them together, but I have to admit, I was happy to see Stefanovic back in 2020, and he and Allison Langdon make a fantastic team now.

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2026-04-17 13:19