Iconic ABC reporter retires after 50 years with national broadcaster

ABC reporter Heather Ewart has announced her retirement after nearly 50 years with the national broadcaster.

Ms Ewart will leave the ABC in March next year. She has worked for the network since 1977.

She was one of the broadcaster’s first female foreign correspondents, working in London, Washington DC and Brussels.

Journalistic roles within the ABC include Chief Political Correspondent, Political Editor, National Affairs Correspondent, Substitute Presenter for 7.30pm and Presenter of World at Noon.

Ms Ewart was also one of the few women to report on federal politics in the 1980s, and she covered many elections during her career.

“I have had a varied and very interesting career at the ABC and am grateful for the opportunities I have been given,” she said.

“I fought hard for many of them and I hope this encourages other women to try it too.”

Ms Ewart is currently working on the production of episodes for the ABC programme Back Roads, which will be broadcast on television next year.

ABC reporter Heather Ewart (left) has announced her retirement after almost 50 years with the national broadcaster

Ms Ewart will leave the ABC in March next year, having worked at the network since 1977.

ABC News president Justin Stevens said he first worked with Ms. Ewart on The 7:30 Report in the early 2000s.

“She was highly respected in federal politics and was an excellent reporter on many other issues of national importance and history,” he said.

“Audiences love Heather and her work. They appreciate her authentic and passionate connection with our audience.”

Ms Ewart’s awards include being awarded the Gold Quill in 2007 by the Melbourne Press Club. Her work with melanoma victim Claire Oliver led to a nationwide ban on sunbeds.

In 2019, she spoke candidly about her career and her early start in a male-dominated industry.

“When I arrived in Canberra in 1980, there were hardly any women in the press gallery,” she said in a piece for the ABC.

‘Some guests called us radio reporters ‘microphone stands with tits’.

‘There weren’t even any ladies’ toilets in the press gallery. You had to go to another part of the old parliament building to use the toilet.

“And there were a lot of men working there who saw young women as prey. You knew not to go into politicians’ offices alone, especially after they’d had a few whiskies.”

Ms Ewart grew up on a sheep, cattle and wheat farm in central Victoria and is married to former ABC journalist and Insiders presenter Barrie Cassidy.

Ms Ewart is currently still working on the production of episodes for the ABC program Back Roads, which will air on television next year.