Fans have taken to social media to celebrate the career of much-loved 666 Canberra afternoons presenter Alex Sloan who has announced that she will next month follow recently departed news anchor Virginia Haussegger and breakfast presenter Phil Clarke out the door of ABC Canberra’s Northbourne Avenue HQ.
Ms Sloan will broadcast her last segment on Friday, December 9. She told ABC radio listeners yesterday that some of her retirement plans include spending more time in the garden and potentially taking a handy person course at TAFE.
“”I think you just know sometimes – it’s time for a bit of refreshment and renewal here,” she said.
A Facebook post announcing Ms Sloan’s impending departure had been shared 19 times and liked more than 100 times at our last check.
We’ve published a selection of the tributes and comments at the end of this story. Among them are comments remarking on Ms Sloan’s “delicious personality, wit and gentle loveliness”, infectious laugh, wit, wisdom, humour, generosity, spirit, kindness, support for women, integrity, gift for storytelling, “laughing voice”, community leadership, empathy, intellect and graciousness.
Igitur Nos Chamber Choir director Matthew Stuckings described her as “one of the best – a Canberra institution”. AFP media and communications executive Jeremy Lasek said Ms Sloan’s was “the happiest voice on radio anywhere”. Other commenters on the post included Matt Burgess, who described Ms Sloan’s voice as “The best “real” voice on radio ever!”, and Ruth Archer, who said she was “one of the ABC’s best broadcasters”.
The veteran broadcaster, who joined the ABC as a rural reporter in Tasmania in 1989, has spent the past 22 years on air with 666 Canberra.
The ABC has yet to announce its Canberra TV and radio presenter line-up for 2017, but is expected to do so within weeks.
Here are those Facebook tributes:
Nikki Hogan 666 ABC Canberra will not be the same without you Alex. Best wishes for the future!
Fiona Edge Alex what a gorgeous photo, will miss your lovely presence on the radio. You really are the best! Good luck with whatever fun things you are planning.
Robyn Toohey Enjoy your retirement Alex, we have loved listening to you and your great radio program and your beautiful laugh is so infectious.
Janet Ilchef Oh no! Alex, I will miss your wit, wisdom, humour and just general wonderful person on my radio. Thank you for everything you have done for us all
Joanne N Ed Towner Thanks for your broadcasting Alex!. First it was Tony from the nightlife then Phil ( albeit not retiring) and now yourself. Enjoy your retirement. Ed Towner.
Mellie Tea Alex, you rock. You’re such a wonderful woman. The whole time I was at 666 you were the person I went to for advice, chats, stories and info about our beloved Canberra. You’ll be so missed.
What I think everyone needs to know about you, is that you’re a great supporter of women. Where some people guard their hard won territory, you’ve always been so generous with those of us who were climbing up the ladder at the ABC. Encouraging our projects, inviting us in for segments, recommending us for things you were unable to do for some reason or another!
Whoever takes your place has enormous shoes to fill, and I hope they do it with the same level of generosity and spirit and kindness that you have. Love you loads, Melanie xx
Deb Meuronen Wishing you all the best Alex. Have enjoyed listening to you on the airways over the years. 666 family and fans will miss you. Thank you ?
Cassidy Richens Buxton Congratulations on your wonderful radio career.. you’re a such gem! I will miss hearing your shows.. do hope you enjoy the next chapter!
Susan Atkinson Best wishes Alex! The public broadcaster’s been blessed to have you all these years. You’re a truly gifted storyteller, the personification of quality and integrity, and a joy to work with. Trust you’re imbibing some very good champers & celebrating your very fine career to this point.
Kylie Holyland Oh bugger. Canberra will miss you Alex and hearing the smile in your voice every day. How will I choose books?
Congratulations on your retirement and thanks for all I have learned, thought about more deeply, laughed along with and for your community leadership.
Kay Clayton I have loved listening to you,hope you are going to bigger and better things-although-not sure that it gets better than the ABC
Jolene Audrey Alex, such a wonderfully supportive colleague and friend. Thank you for the years of love and guidance in the workplace and beyond. I’m sure you will find yourself busier than ever in the other side of the mic.xxxx
Danielle Aeuckens Wonderful for Alex, but she will be sadly missed. Hands down my favourite presenter on 666!
Shell Keogh Nooooooooo! So sad for us, but so happy for you. Your wit and your wisdom will be sorely missed!
Ruth Palmer Have enjoyed listening to you for a long Alex. Good lluck!
Gillian Kimball Oh no Alex, I will miss so much your laughing voice and your empathy to all.
Lynne McDonald I will really miss you. Even when we are away from Canberra we listen to you on line. Your laugh, intellect , and your graciousness will be sorely missed. With both Philip and Alex leaving I really hope Genevieve is not going anywhere. If you change your mind please come back!
Karen Ottley Oh no. My quality of life has just gone down (though I suspect Alex’s is about to go up!)
Elizabeth Hilhorst Best wishes Alex. I’m sure we will still be hearing from you.
Matt Burgess All the best to you, Alex. The best “real” voice on radio ever!
Bryan Butler I will miss your infectious laugh that punctuated the airwaves. Good luck outside Auntie.
Hank Jongen You’re an icon, woman! I’ll seriously miss your wonderful interviews, the insightful reports and that fantactic laugh that always triggers a smile! Best of luck!
Anne Mroz What are you serious
PLEASE DON’T GO.
Thanks Alex for all the wonderful afternoons we spent together I will miss you x
Ian Greed Thank you for the many many hours of good intelligent listening! And all the best for the future which ever path you take
Kate Gardiner ? Our great loss. Your delicious personality, wit and gentle loveliness will be missed on the radio Alex Sloan!
Di Soutter Farewell Alex. X
Imogen Wall Movin’ on up!!
Matthew Stuckings Sorry to see you go, Sloanie – one of the best, a Canberra institution. Go well.
Gordon Bull Speechless.
Kirsten Maloney I will miss you terribly! Have always enjoyed your wonderful shows. Enjoy your retirement!
Cathy Reade Wishing you all the very best – and more free time to come for holidays!!
Jo Saccasan Yes indeed. Great service by Alex for so long. May a beautiful new journey await. ????
Ruth Archer Good luck Alex … one of the ABC’s best broadcasters!
Jeremy Lasek We will miss the happiest voice on radio anywhere.
Peter Lees Very sad for us, but good for you Alex. Thank you for your time with the ABC. You will be missed. Best wishes for your retirement.
Denise Kraus Agreed, Alex you are a much loved member of the family!
Helen Winnie Congratulations to my beautiful sister. So proud of you!! ????
Gillian Dowling We will miss you a great deal Alex, have enjoyed listening to your lovely voice and laugh for many years. Enjoy your retirement!
Kerry Boyle Oh my, I too will also miss your infectious laugh and interviews. I am sure whoever replaces you will not be as interesting as you have been. All the best for your retirement!
Sue N John Collins Oh no. I’ve followed you through all the time zones. I can’t believe you won’t be there to find the humour and share it. Have fun in your next steps.
Pat Worthy Hi Alex all the best. Pat x
Cris Kennedy What!!!
Kathryn Doyle Hailey Oh NOOOOO! You can’t go Alex. You’re an institution. You are much respected and greatly loved by one and all. Thank you for all you’ve given to us over the years. We are much richer for having had you in our homes. Bless you.
Mick O’Regan well played Alex
Trevor Thompson Well played Alex. Classy innings.
Carol Marshall Oh! What will we do without you?!
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