After 16 years as a familiar face on Newcastle's nightly news, presenter and weatherman Gavin Morris has signed off from NBN News for the final time. His role was made redundant as part of a significant restructure by parent company Nine, which has impacted approximately 50 positions across its streaming and broadcast division.
The End of an Era at NBN
Morris, who has spent nearly four decades in the media industry, joined NBN News as a weather presenter in 2009. He later took on the newsreader role in 2022, replacing Paul Lobb. The restructure, announced on Monday, November 10, means the 6pm news bulletin will now be hosted by a single newsreader. Morris stated he believed it was the right decision for Natasha Beyersdorf to continue as the sole anchor due to her extensive experience.
'Free-to-air TV is going through a tough time, and I'm just part of that tough time, I'm collateral damage,' Morris remarked, acknowledging the shifting landscape of television viewership. He expressed understanding that changing consumer habits are driving these difficult business decisions.
A Career Rooted in Community
For Morris, working at NBN represented a homecoming. He returned to the Hunter region for the job, which provided much-needed stability for his young family. He described it as the most stable period of his media career.
'To come home and find a connection to the community where the highlight is going out every single day and having that community interaction has really been a highlight,' he reflected fondly.
The weekend before the official announcement, Morris had a gut feeling his job was at risk. Despite the sadness of leaving, he carries an unexpected sense of excitement about the future. He has been seeking advice from former colleagues, including Paul Lobb, as he contemplates his next steps.
Looking Forward with an Open Mind
While uncertain about his precise career path, Morris is embracing the possibilities. 'I'm open to the universe and whatever it offers,' he said, noting that new ideas pop into his head almost hourly. His extensive career began with two decades of moving between various roles, and he now faces a familiar, albeit unexpected, crossroads.
He expressed immense gratitude for the overwhelming support from the community and his colleagues. The restructure at Nine is intended to reduce duplication and foster greater collaboration within its broadcast and streaming services, a response to the huge challenges facing the traditional media industry.
