Clare Bowditch Is Leaving ABC Radio To Focus On Her Music Again

Multi-talented artist and radio host Clare Bowditch will not return to her post as the host of Afternoons for ABC Melbourne in 2018, instead putting the bulk of her energy back into her musical and literary pursuits.

In a bittersweet statement announcing her impending departure, Bowditch expressed her thanks for the time she has spent in the role, and explained her reasons for leaving — though, she elaborated, "it's not a goodbye forever, I'm sure".

"I’ve adored spending my Afternoons with audiences over these past two years, so it is with wholehearted gratitude that later this year I’ll be stepping away from hosting Afternoons," she said.

"Next year I release my first book and my eighth studio album, both projects that have been waiting in the wings for quite a while. It’s time I give them my full attention in a way that just hasn’t been possible while hosting a daily radio show."

"I’ve loved my time on the program and at the ABC with an amazing radio station team and a brilliant roll call of program contributors," she continued. "Most of all, though, it’s been the audiences that joined me day after day to create a show that we hope connected people to the community we live in.

"We wanted to make them laugh, and know that they always have a place to belong. Our hope too was that each show reminded us all of what a curious, glorious place we live in and how important it is to just get out there and give things a crack. Now it’s time for me to give some other things a crack."

ABC Radio Melbourne Manager Warwick Tiernan reflected on Bowditch's growth into an Afternoons staple over the past two years, marking Bowditch's impending departure with "great sadness", but noting that her "remarkable musical talents are matched by the dedication and care she brought to her time at the station".

"She quickly established herself in the hearts of both staff and audiences, and gave the Afternoons a whole new spirit," he said. "She loved, laughed and listened, and each day gave us something fresh, all with some beautiful music along the way.

"We can’t wait to hear the new album next year, when we’re sure to hear her back on air at some point."

Bowditch will present her final Afternoons program on Wednesday 29 November; the person who'll be filling her sizable shoes in 2018 will be announced in the near future.