ABC radio: Levingston out, Fanning in
Shake-up for Aunty. Plus: a new artistic director for Queensland Theatre
As I predicted in several recent posts, Ellen Fanning has been handed a permanent gig on ABC Brisbane — but her promotion from fill-in to full-time host means Rebecca Levingston (pictured) will join the long list of radio people without gigs in 2025.
Fanning, who began her career in Brisbane in 1988 and then went on to work nationally for the ABC and the Nine network, said: “After years reporting big national and international stories, I’m thrilled to be back home in Brisbane. I grew up in Brisbane and Logan and made my start in journalism in this city.
“Over the past 25 years, Brisbane has grown and changed. Since moving back here in 2023, I’ve quickly remembered what makes this city and its people tick. I cannot wait to be telling their stories and sharing the news highlights of the day in Drive. Plus, to hear from you on the daily drive home.”
The ABC release says current Drive host Kelly Higgins-Devine will replace Levingston in the Evenings shift.
Levingston is quoted as saying: “20 years of ABC radio has been a million different experiences for me. My time on air has been surprising, lifechanging and hilarious.
“I’m so grateful to my listeners and my colleagues for sharing stories that will stay with me forever. I’m thrilled to head off on my next adventure.”
It’s been a day of big announcements from the ABC, with Sarah Macdonald sensationally sacked in Sydney, Richard Glover to be replaced by Chris Bath, Fran Kelly making an on-air comeback to Radio National, and Linton Besser named as the new Media Watch host. Andy Park will take over as host of The World Today.
As I’ve said before, these are not the last of the big announcements from radioland this year.
Evans at centre stage
In other employment news, award-winning playwright Daniel Evans is Queensland Theatre’s new artistic director.
QT chair Dean Gibson said the appointment “completes an extraordinary full-circle journey for Evans, whose passion for theatre first sparked at Queensland Theatre 25 years ago”.
In a media release, Evans described taking on the role as “a profound honour and incredible privilege.”
An industry insider said the Evans’s elevation was “not a shock” in theatre circles.
Does anyone know if Rebecca Levingston left the ABC last year of her own volition or was she forced out?