Long-time presenter Paul Turton announces his departure from radio

Long-time Newcastle radio presenter Paul Turton has announced he is leaving the ABC to spend more time with his family.

On the Wednesday, May 27, NSW Mornings broadcast, Turton stopped by the studio after being on leave for the past few weeks to speak about his departure with fill-in host Niav Owens.

"I've found that I've enjoyed leave just a little bit too much, so I won't be returning, and I just wanted to come in and say farewell," Turton told 1233 ABC Newcastle.

"I refuse to use the word retirement because it implies a sense of slowing down. What I will be doing is channelling my energies in a different direction and putting my family first ... while travelling at approximately 100mph," he said in a statement.

After more than 40 years at the station, he thanked the listeners and all contributors who had been on the show over the years.

"It has been terrific to be engaged in that relationship with people around the state," he said.

Turton grew up in Cobar before his family moved to Newcastle when he was a child.

He started in radio at a commercial station in Canberra when he was 18, before moving to 2NX radio in Newcastle.

He arrived at the ABC just in time for the Newcastle earthquake in 1989, and stayed ever since.

Turton has hosted Newcastle Drive and Breakfast in the past and most recently was the host of ABC NSW Mornings from Monday to Thursday.

"I will miss it, it was a tough call to be honest," Turton said.

"I've been so focused on work for decades now, because we were on a timeline that dictates where we need to be Monday to Friday, it just makes those little life moments hard," he said.

"I'm anxious to catch up on all of those and to spend more time with my wife and with our kids and grandkids."

Surrounded by his former colleagues, Turton reflected on his time with the radio station.

While he had done many interviews with influential people, he said he saw himself more as offering entertainment and companionship.

"I liked the day-to-day stuff, that is the thing that has been important to me," he said.

1233 ABC Newcastle editor Lucia Hill said Turton's contribution to the station had been significant.

"Intelligent, funny, genuine and brave, Paul will leave a big void at ABC Newcastle, where he's an admired, respected colleague and friend to so many," she said.

Upcoming programming arrangements will be announced in the coming weeks.

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