Veteran ABC presenter Jon Faine bowed out to a standing ovation from friends, family, fans and local politicians as he recorded his final radio show live on stage in Melbourne on Friday.
The ABC Radio Melbourne host announced his retirement at the start of this year, with ABC News Breakfast favourite Virginia Trioli set to replace him from Monday. And he left his 23-year stint on the show in style as four Victorian premiers, including current office-holder Daniel Andrews and opposition leader Michael O’Brien, attended the show.
But it was his moving tribute to his wife Jan that really moved the crowd. According to fellow presenter Tamara Oudyn, he took a pause from the show to say: “As simple and as uncomplicated as it is: I love you.” Meanwhile, another guest in the crowd captured photos throughout, claiming Faine teared up towards the end of the show as his fans stood to applaud his incredible career.
Now that’s a sign off. Standing ovation at Melbourne Town Hall as Jon Faine hangs up the mic from ABC Melbourne. pic.twitter.com/IpVLbip4Xz
— Brett Mcleod (@Brett_McLeod) October 11, 2019
His final packed-out show was broadcast live from Melbourne Town Hall and, according to the ABC, Faine went on to thank his listeners for the “incredible privilege” of serving them. And in an increasingly tough media environment, he also defended the ABC’s position and insisted it’s the one network and media company that doesn’t try to “show off”.
A 60-strong choir of colleagues, old friends, show guests, co-hosts, musicians, presenters… a standing ovation.. and tears from Jon. #JonFaine @abcmelbourne pic.twitter.com/pxmhD3qbvh
— Tamara Oudyn (@TamaraOudyn) October 11, 2019
“We should not use our lives to make ourselves look good or to show off, the ABC can leave that to the worst of the shock jocks and the tabloid monsters, those narcissists who use the media to tell people how to live their lives and what to think,” he reportedly said. “It’s the ABC’s style guide to trust the audience, to give you the contest of ideas and to hold power to account.
“In the kitchen or on the tractor, you, the audience, you are why we exist. If we ever forget that, we’re lost, because live radio is the best bulls**t detector ever invented.”
#JonFaine to his wife Jan: “As simple and as uncomplicated as it is: I love you.”
Smooth, Jon. Pay that. @abcmelbourne pic.twitter.com/XkBYzig7OI— Tamara Oudyn (@TamaraOudyn) October 11, 2019
Faine announced he was retiring from the ABC in January, informing listeners that 2019 would be his last year as a presenter on the popular show. “30 years ago this week, I joined the ABC to make The Law Report in what I thought would be a brief detour from lawyering,” he explained. “And now I find myself presenting the Morning show on ABC Radio Melbourne, now for the 23rd year. But it will be my last, this year.
“I’ve told the ABC that when my present contract expires, I do not seek another. It’s time for someone else to have as much fun as I have had.” It was later revealed that Trioli will be replacing him, after leaving ABC News Breakfast earlier this year.
Trioli was the firm favourite to land the role, having previously filled in for Faine, as well as regularly standing in for Tony Jones on the ABC’s Q&A program. She also has experience in radio having presented Drive on ABC Radio Melbourne for five years from 2000 to 2005 and the Mornings show on ABC Radio Sydney for two years in the mid-2000s.
“I’m absolutely thrilled to be taking on one of the most precious radio jobs in the country,” she said. “Jon and the ABC Melbourne team, for more than two decades, have created an agenda-setting and community-building program that means so much not only to Melburnians, but to anyone who values great conversation and the vital need for the continuing contest of ideas.
“Radio is in my soul and I’m pinching myself that this once-in-a-career opportunity has come my way. Melbourne — we’re going to make great radio together!”