The pregnant new star of Channel Seven's Brisbane newsroom, Sarah Greenhalgh, is holding firm when it comes to her upcoming maternity leave after being promoted to 7NEWS presenter.
Greenhalgh was promoted to the role earlier this year after respected journalist and news anchor Sharyn Kitella was sensationally fired from her high-profile position at the network after 17 years.
The former foreign correspondent takes on her new role as co-presenter of Seven's Monday bulletin at 6pm.
Greenhalgh, 34, is six months pregnant and will go on maternity leave in a few weeks.
She explained that management has guaranteed that there will be no strict deadline for returning to work after childbirth.
“I will return when it suits everyone, including the pub,” he told the Courier-Mail.
“Historically, women, especially in television, have had a difficult time returning very quickly from maternity leave because they felt enormous pressure to do so, or else they would be considered less than their male counterparts.”
Greenhalgh revealed that she almost gave up on her dream of being a mother for fear of how it would affect her life, and was pleasantly surprised when she was cast in the role.
The pregnant new star of Channel Seven's Brisbane newsroom, Sarah Greenhalgh, is holding firm when it comes to her upcoming maternity leave after the network sacked Sharyn Kitella and she was promoted to 7NEWS presenter. Pictured with co-host Max Futcher
Greenhalgh was promoted to the role earlier this year after respected journalist and news presenter Kitella was sensationally removed from his high-profile position at the network after 17 years.
“It's something I didn't think was possible at the beginning of my career,” Greenhalgh said.
“But Seven really encouraged me to know that I'm pregnant too and it's not just for me – I think it's fantastic for any woman in the industry.”
Greenhalg has big shoes to fill.
Greenhalgh, 34, is six months pregnant and will go on maternity leave in a few weeks. She explained that management has guaranteed that there will be no strict deadlines for returning to work after childbirth.
Co-presenter Max Futcher, who has been in the 7News Brisbane newsroom since 2018, approved of his promotion and said he was happy to be working with him.
The success of their new partnership will be crucial for Seven's newsroom as allegations of a “heartbreaking” and “toxic workplace culture” were exposed on the ABC's Four Corners programme. Seven West Media posted a 69 per cent rise in full-year profits to $45. million.
The sensational dismissal of Kitella, who was taking Greenhelk's place, did not help.
Days before returning to rival Network 10, the veteran TV host posted a final message to her former boss in August.
“Don't call me hairdressers…that's not the cut I was expecting,” he joked.
'Seriously, I mean, look, there are good people at Channel 7, I had a good career there… it was good until the end.'
The 57-year-old's dismissal from Seven after 17 years, while having her hair done for a promotional shoot, caused a stir. Queensland Families.
The embattled Channel 7 icon later said he was “not surprised” by the allegations made in the infamous Four Corners documentary.
The news presenter is now the host of Queensland's 'new look' 10 NewsFirst and says he is 'coming home'.
Kitella announced the move to The Project, saying it was a great opportunity, having started his career with Ten in 1990.
'In 1990, I started at ten years old in Brisbane and had hair Pretty big. “The shoulder straps were even bigger,” Kitella said.
Martin White, president of Broadcast News, Paramount Australia and New Zealand, welcomed Kitella to Ten in a LinkedIn post earlier this month.
'It was a great day for 10 in Queensland. “We believe strongly in local journalism and delivering great content to our audience, which aligns perfectly with Sharin, Brisbane's number one news reader,” White said.
“We are delighted to welcome 10 back and can’t wait to get started.”
Kitella will replace another beloved Queenslander, Sandra Sully, who has been delivering the Queensland Bulletin from Sydney for the past two years.
Kitella, who has worked at the magazine for 38 years, announced in a Facebook statement on July 12 that he had been asked to leave the Seven Network.
The mother-of-two has built an extensive media career over the past four decades, with previous stints at Channel 10 before joining Seven as a weekend presenter in 2007.
'When you work in television as long as I do, not a day goes by that you don't expect the proverbial pat on the back… After 38 years, I finally got a pat on the shoulder.
I never expected it to end up on Channel 7.
“I was actually sitting in the hair salon looking for a job and I got the call that after 17 years at the chain, my time was up.
'Although I am a little sad about this decision, I also feel some relief. As has been widely reported, the last two weeks have been a miserable affair on television.
