Here’s what it means for his role on Channel 7.

Sunrise’s Sam Mac / Sam Mac and his fiancée Rebecca James.

Sunrise’s Sam Mac and his fiancée Rebecca James have shared a major announcement. Photos: Instagram/sammacinsta

Just over a year after welcoming their second child together, Sunrise weather presenter Sam Mac and his fiancée Rebecca James have shared a major announcement. The Channel 7 personality, 43, said on Friday morning that he and his family are moving from Sydney to Melbourne.

He explained that, despite buying and renovating their house, launching a business, getting engaged and raising their two daughters in Sydney, they wanted to relocate to be closer to Bec’s family. Bec had originally moved from Melbourne to Sydney in 2021 to live with Sam after they began a long-distance relationship during the pandemic, so now it’s his turn to “repay” the favour.

A Channel 7 spokesperson has confirmed to Yahoo Lifestyle that Sam Mac will continue his role on Sunrise after he moves to Melbourne, despite the breakfast show filming in Sydney.

“Absolutely nothing changes with Sam’s role as Sunrise weatherman,” they said. “The team is thrilled for Sam, Bec and the girls and their exciting move to Victoria to be closer to family.”

Sam’s ‘lightbulb’ moment

Alongside a gallery of snaps, Sam shared on Instagram that seeing his children play in their grandparents’ backyard near the Yarra Valley was a “lightbulb” moment that sparked their desire to move.

“The lizards, kookaburras and kangaroos lit up their faces with such joy and wonder. We knew that was the childhood we wanted for them,” he wrote. “The grandparents are now 9 minutes away instead of 9 hours.

“Time to repay my darling Rebecca for taking the leap of faith for that weird cat-loving weatherman in the tiny, smelly bachelor pad.”

Reshifting his priorities

Sam told 7News that his Sunrise travel schedule includes over 120 flights a year, which makes it “extremely tough” for Bec as her parents live in Melbourne and his parents are in Adelaide.

This way, Bec’s parents will be able to help out as “unpaid babysitters” while Sam is travelling across the country working on the breakfast show.

“It’s funny how having a family instantly changes your lens on life. You realise very quickly that it’s not about you anymore,” he wrote.

“A three-year-old and a one-year-old don’t care about how close they are to the city or the fact they have glimpses of the Harbour Bridge from their bedroom window.

“They were things I wanted and things I worked hard for. They had their time and place, but that’s the old Sam. The new Sam is Dad and Dad priority number one is to keep his family happy.”

Sunrise’s Sam Mac and his fiancée Rebecca James with their daughter.

Sam says his number one priority is to keep his family happy. Photo: Instagram/sammacinsta

Sam’s followers celebrate his exciting announcement

Sam’s post has been flooded with comments from his colleagues and famous followers supporting his move, with fellow Sunrise star Edwina Bartholomew writing: “This is fabulous news. Farewell baked goods before you go please.”

“Love this for you guys mate,” radio host Pete Curulli shared.

“You’ll never regret giving your kids and the grandparents an opportunity to make memories together, love, memories and families are all we get to take away with us when it all comes to a close. Enjoy the move and the fun to come.”

“YES to grandparents with adventures around the corner,” cookbook author Alice Zaslavsky replied, while Cameron Daddo added, “Brilliant. You won’t regret a moment. Great times ahead”.

“So excited for you both! Perfect spot to raise your gorgeous babies,” someone else shared, followed by a different user who wrote, “Beautiful, time is precious as are experiences and adventures, all the best in Melbourne, Sam”.