The new - temporary - host of the top-rating breakfast radio program on 666 ABC Canberra has been announced.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Laura Tchilinguirian will replace outgoing host Philip Clark from November 1. But it's only for six weeks, with the permanent host to be announced in early December.
Clark is finishing up this week to replace Tony Delroy on the national ABC Local Radio program Nightlife.
Tchilinguirian currently presents ABC NewsRadio Evenings and has been a producer and presenter at ABC NewsRadio since 2009.
Clark, meanwhile, has been with 666 since 2013.
He proved a popular choice, replacing former host Ross Solly.
"I've won every [ratings] survey since I've been here so it's been professionally very rewarding," Clark said.
"But it's been a tremendous audience to broadcast to. Canberra is just a fantastic place to live, as everyone who lives here knows.
"It's been personally very rewarding as well because both our daughters are here."
Tchilinguirian who starts her temporary stint at 666 on Melbourne Cup day, Tuesday, November 1, after a week of other presenters filling in on breakfast.
The full 666 ABC Canberra 2017 broadcast schedule and line-up will be announced later this year.
Finishing up at 666 on Friday, Clark will start his new job in Sydney presenting Nightlife on October 31, going from "an early bird to a night owl".
"I've always been one to say, 'Look, when opportunities arise, you should take them'. This is a really fantastic opportunity, it's a national show, it's got a million listeners," he said.
"I'm looking forward to evolving the program as well."
Clark lived in Canberra for 13 years in the 1970s and 1980s and leaves the national capital again with fond memories.
"It's been terrific to re-acquaint myself with Canberra and to see it grow. A lot of things people used to say about Canberra just aren't valid anymore," he said.
And Canberrans can take a bow for being a polite lot, he says.
"What I've enjoyed most is the rational discussion you can have about issues and generally the polite, civilised way Canberrans go about things. It's just such a revelation," Clark said.
"You know, I've come off the back of some pretty bruising talkback environments in Sydney and, I tell you what, there's another way to live and this is it."