Nearly forty years ago, journalist Tracy Grimshaw joined the Nine Network to bring the news stories that matter to Australia.
Through four decades as a reporter, then presenter, she’s interviewed thousands of people, from everyday Aussies to sports and entertainment stars and world leaders to help us understand what’s happening in our world – much of which was as host of the network’s flagship nightly news show, A Current Affair, where she stayed for 17 years.
Now, she is leaving.
Grimshaw has been the recipient of numerous Walkley awards.
(IMAGE: Getty)In a stunning announcement to viewers, Tracy, 61, said she was stepping away after years of starting before the sun came up when she was with The Today Show and then finishing after it had gone down with A Current Affair.
”It’s been a big decision and before the gossip websites start telling you rubbish, I want you to know it’s been my decision alone and I’m not being shoved out the door by the boys club because I’m too old,” she told viewers during the primetime program.
”I’m not too old, I’m just a bit tired. And for the record both the boys and the girls have asked me to stay”.
After fourty years with Channel 9, Grimshaw has decided to hang up the mic.
(Image: Getty)One of the most-respected interviewers in the world, Tracy who won a Walkley Award for excellence in Broadcast and Online Interviewing in 2009 and repeatedly proved more than a match for the men and women in our headlines, from shonky tradies to prime ministers and more.
To mark the occasion, a special edition of A Current Affair will show highlights from Tracy’s time on air, with highlights including her chats with former Australian prime minister Scott Morrison, accused murderer Lindy Chamberlain, entertainment legend Bert Newtown and more.
It will be a sad moment when she bids her final farewell, Tracy said, but there is hope she’ll be back.
Back in the 1980’s….
(Image: Channel 9)When she announced her decision to leave, she said she’d be”taking a big holiday” rather than retiring and since then she’s confirmed there are other television projects she wants to try.
”I’m going to take a year off,” the award-winning journalist said in a rare interview on radio after her announcement.
”I feel like I need that, a one-year sabbatical where I just can clear my head and learn to sleep again and rest my brain and then after that I think I’ll be bored enough to want to come back.”
