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It was 2020, a few weeks before the COVID pandemic hit, when Sammy J sat down behind the ABC Radio Melbourne microphone.
Since then, the Breakfast presenter has been waking up the city with fun, information, companionship, and sometimes a viral song.
“Radio demands all of you and deserves nothing less, and after five years I’m ready to trade the 4:15am alarm for more regular hours,” Sammy J, who this morning announced he would be hanging up the microphone, said.
A letter to The Age in 2021 gives a “listener’s” review of Sammy J’s show. He wrote it. (The Age)
“Hosting Melbourne Breakfast was an unexpected opportunity that became an unexpected joy.”
Sammy J has channelled everything into his show — literally, in the case of a marathon 24-hour broadcast to raise money for SecondBite as part of the annual ABC Gives charity appeal.
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Highlights reel
Ever the showman, he wrote and led a skit of all ABC Radio Melbourne presenters for the station’s 100th birthday.
Through song, his dulcet tones welcomed Taylor Swift to the city, explained Lord Voldermort’s thoughts on a proposal to build a Harry Potter theme park, and said farewell to Melbourne’s e-scooters, the Airport Rail Link, premier Dan Andrews and Captain Cook’s feet.
The team behind ABC Radio Melbourne’s Breakfast with Sammy J. (ABC Radio Melbourne)
Sammy J gave voice to the listeners, using his Missing Moments series during the pandemic to help people experience the big events that had been cancelled due to Melbourne’s lockdowns.
“It’s Sammy’s connection with the audience which has been a hallmark of his time at 774,” ABC Radio Melbourne acting manager Shelley Hadfield said.
“You only had to see the listeners turn up at the crack of dawn for his outside broadcasts to understand what an impact he has had on people’s lives.
Sammy J has never missed an opportunity for excitement on air. (ABC Radio Melbourne: Lisa Skerrett)
“Sammy has asked the questions we never knew we wanted answered,” Ms Hadfield said.
“He’s grilled the prime minister and the premier, he broke the news to Melbourne of the Queen’s death.”
At home with anyone, Sammy J has welcomed musicians, magicians, meatworkers and mathematicians to join him and the 774 listeners.
Sammy J dressed for success in the ABC Radio Melbourne studio. (ABC Radio Melbourne)
Sammy J’s parting comments?
“I leave with pride, gratitude, and a litany of cash-for-comment scandals that will be revealed in due course,” he said.
Sammy J’s final Breakfast program will be on Friday, December 13.
Announcements about the 2025 line-up on ABC Radio Melbourne will be made in the coming week.