But on Monday June 17 Hit FM breakfast radio host Cass Catsoulis announced she was quitting the job she loved and returning to Brisbane for "family reasons".

"I've got a pretty supportive and damn good family and sometimes you have to pick between work and family," Miss Catsoulis said.

"My whole life I have picked work and for the first time I am going to pick family."

Miss Catsoulis has won legions of fans particularly in the elusive youth market - young women want to be friends with her and young men date her.

Her sense of humour, vulnerability and freshness meant her lack of experience on-air (this was her first presenting gig) was an asset rather than a hindrance.

The 24-year-old said she has loved her time in the region.

"When I first got here it was a scared feeling, particularly that I didn't know my audience," she said.

"But the people have just been awesome and I loved the lifestyle."

Miss Catsoulis threw herself into activities - volunteering weekly at the Koala Hospital and even joining the Port Macquarie Magpies.

She had no experience in AFL but had played soccer previously.

"It is a different ball, different shape, a whole different skills set," she said laughing.

She grew up in Brisbane (we won't hold that against her) and her family run a timber business.

"We have no connection to the media industry," she said.

"But I was always talking, even when I was in my room my mum would catch me talking to myself."

She describes leaving as "bittersweet".

"It was a privilege to be on-air," she said.

"I can say for the first time I truly loved my job.

"My favourite moments on the show were when listeners called up and engaged with us."

Her experience of the notoriously competitive and sometimes fickle media industry has been "positive".

"Keep your head down bum up is a saying I like to use," she said.

As for life lessons?

"I've learnt to back myself more," she said.

Miss Catsoulis plans to take some time off but hopes to return one day to radio presenting.

General Manager of Southern Cross Austereo Mike Crowhurst said the network was currently recruiting to "find the right replacement to join Bodge on the Hit Breakfast show."

He paid tribute to Miss Catsoulis saying "she had an immediate impact with our listeners on the Mid-North-Coast with her bright enthusiastic approach to the way she looks at everything in life".

"Cass is all about having fun and that always showed through with the energy in every show she did."