ABC News anchor Mary Gearin is leaving the public broadcaster

ABC presenter Mary Gearin has announced she is stepping down from her role at the national broadcaster.

Gearin made the shocking announcement on Wednesday that she would anchor the ABC News program for the final time on Saturday.

“Some personal news: This Saturday night’s ABC Newscast will be my last.” “After 30 years off and on at ABC, I’m calling time,” she wrote.

“Like many people, I have taken a new look at life since the pandemic.”

“I want to take the time to escape from my aunt’s warm embrace for a while before considering what’s next for me in journalism and beyond.”

ABC presenter Mary Gearin has announced she is stepping down from her role at the national broadcaster

Gearin said she enjoyed working at the ABC, particularly because of the “deep connections” she made with the network’s audience.

“I have enjoyed every challenging, crazy and privileged moment of working for ABC,” Gearin wrote.

“I would especially like to thank the audience – I have developed a deep sense of connection with you and I am very grateful for that.”

“I am honored to have met people from so many walks of life around the world and shared their stories.”

Daily Mail Australia has contacted The ABC for comment.

Gearin joined the station in 1991 as a journalism student and became ABC’s first female TV news presenter.

During her 34-year tenure, she served as the ABC’s national sports correspondent and European correspondent, hosted Drive on ABC Radio Melbourne, co-hosted News Breakfast and worked as long-form specialist for the 7.30 program for ten years.

For the past five years, Gearin has worked as a news presenter and senior journalist in Melbourne.

During her 34-year tenure, Gearin served as the ABC’s national sports correspondent and European correspondent, hosted Drive on ABC Radio Melbourne, co-hosted News Breakfast and worked as long-form specialist for the 7.30 program for ten years

Gearin said she had enjoyed working at the ABC, particularly because of the “deep connection” she had built with the channel’s audience, but she also wanted to explore “other adventures”.

The Australian news veteran said she was leaving the national broadcaster to explore “other adventures” and was considering “different opportunities”.

“It was a rich and stimulating time working with some of the best people in the world,” Gearin wrote.

“It is time for me to explore other adventures, but I leave knowing that the future of ABC rests securely in the hands of its critically thinking employees who never compromise their values.”

“If you are looking for a journalist, communicator, presenter, strategist and analyst with a focus on community connection and public accountability, decades of contacts and insights, with a side of puns, get in touch!”