A Diverse Bunch of Would-be Presenters
Help to build self-confidence, wanting Coast people to slow down and relax, helping people generally. Public speaking, fuelling a
passion for Jazz, the hope of ultimately working in commercial radio. An opportunity to make more acquaintances and friends, getting
back into the community alongside intensive mothering...
Those are some of the motivations of 12 people now doing presenter training with 101.3FM.
And as always, we are amazed by the depth and breadth of life experience and diversity of the people in each new intake.
You’d think we’d be used to it after all this time. But it is something we value greatly as it’s the bedrock for our programming.
It’s what makes us the different radio on the Coast.
Doing the 9-week part-time course is no guarantee of being given a show afterwards, but assuming all do get one, what do they hope
to put to air?
A joint chat and music show (Kara Plaister), a food program, interviewing local chefs and producers (Tanya Nash), presenting and
programming (Kerry Lumsden), voiceover work (David Perrin), presenting and voiceover work (Barbara Buchanan), current music, gossip
and fun (Brook McGregor) are on the minds of some of the trainees.
Tanya was a food presenter in Sydney through various mediums, including TV, and has interviewed many well known chefs. With
her husband and two children she has lived in Cooroy since 2007, attracted to the laidback Noosa lifestyle.
She’s already on air on Saturdays with 101.3 veteran and vice-president, Sherry Corcoran, doing a ten-minute spot talking about
food.
"I’m passionate about the local chefs, food, wine, restaurants and, of course, the wonderful local produce. In fact, I’m
passionate about all things connected to food. This is such a wonderful area on which to base a program." Tanya also paints –
life portraits as well as still.
Favourite style of music: Modern. Favourite artist: Tony Childs. Her most enjoyable musical event: The Peaches and Cream show
in Yarrawonga back in the ‘90s. "The Tsim Group were playing, who I thought were fantastic!"
Kerry is a retired Qantas engineer who has lived all over the world. He and his wife moved from Sydney to Noosa in 2007 –
"because we love this style of climate; it’s also a great place for our new bouncing baby granddaughter to come and visit!"
He’d play modern Jazz, "chill out type of music. It will give me a chance to present some of the style of music I enjoy to an audience.
I want them to slow down and relax. Me: I take time to look up at air planes all the time. I’m quite passionate about all aircraft."
He’d also like to become involved in programming, i.e. the group that decides what we broadcast.
Favourite style of music: Modern Jazz. Chill out type of music. Favourite artists: Oscar Peterson, Modern Jazz Quartet, Nat King Cole.
His most enjoyable musical event: "Lunch, where James Morrison launched his book, "Blowing My Trumpet". There was a great Jazz
finale to the day."
Kara says being on the radio will help build her confidence. "I was originally well outside of my comfort zone with a
microphone in front of me, but already now I really enjoy it."
She used to live in the UK where she met her husband. "I was in IT then with a focus on product management and business
analysis." She now owns a local business.
"We moved from Canberra to Noosa because my husband’s family live in Cooroy and that’s where we now live with our three
Siamese cats – our children! I’m also very keen on personal development and am currently completing two live-in resident courses on
this theme."
She’s the one hoping to do a joint chat and music show and has already palled up with another trainee, from which this could
eventuate.
Favourite style of music: "Wide! It depends on my mood. Anything from Punk Rock to Mozart." Favourite artists:
Fleetwood Mac, Dire Straits, Prince. Her most enjoyable musical event: "Eurythmics in Concert – especially the range of Annie
Lennox!"
You might call David local aristocracy considering that 80% of us who live here, came here fairly recently, certainly more
recently than David.
"My family came to Noosa and I attended Cooroy High from grade 5. My father was in the army so we moved around a lot before that.
I’m a non-practising solicitor, currently working with Community Housing Organisation. I’m also Sergeant-at-Arms with Noosa
Toastmasters."
See what we mean about variety of folks with us?
He heard the presenters course being announced on air. "I like helping people so this could be another medium. I’m too busy at
the moment to start anything but at the end of 2008, I hope that I’ll be able to start a program. I would also like to do some
voiceover work."
Favourite style of music: ‘80s Aussie Rock and Pop. Favourite artists:
Hoodoo Gurus. His most enjoyable musical event:
2007 Gympie Muster.
Barbara Buchanan has an even longer Noosa pedigree. "My family have been here for a long time. I’m part of the 4th
generation of my family to reside in Tewantin. I’m a marriage celebrant, I do mobile book-keeping and I’m the current President and
Area Governor of Toastmasters.
"I’ve always wanted to get into voiceovers but didn’t consider doing it through 101.3FM. Then I bumped into Sherry (Corcoran)
one day and it went from there.
"I’m passionate about Toastmasters and I feel that this will help me with it."
Favourite style of music: ‘70s and ‘80s. Favourite artist/s: Eagles and John Farnham. Her most enjoyable musical event:
Countdown Spectacular 1 & 2.
Jazz guitarist and composer Andy Young was phoned one day about his CD by our veteran Jazz presenter, Brian Fane. For 20
years the two didn’t know that they lived just 400 metres apart.
"I’ve been here since 1984. I just love the general atmosphere of the area. I was originally from Sydney, though I went to the
Tasmanian Conservatory of Music. I’m a Jazz guitarist and compose.
"I liked the type of music that they played down there, so I formed The Andy Young Quintet which is based in Hobart. This means
that I am a frequent commuter between here and there! I released a CD last year called, ‘Downsideup’ and later this year, our new
album, ‘Walk On Up’ will be released on the Hardbrush label."
Andy hopes to run a Jazz show with us. "It will fuel my passion for Jazz."
His favourite style of music: Swing and Modern Jazz. Favourite artists: Wes Montgomery and Menny Burrell. His most enjoyable
musical event: In February 2008, playing with George Washing Machine at the Clarence Festival in Hobart.
Brook’s fiancé bought her the presenter course as a gift, as both he and her family thought that it would assist her in
her career. She used to be in TV production with Channels 9, 7 and 10. "Getaway" and "Contest" are two programs she
was associated with.
"My fiancé and I moved from Sydney. We’ve bought a house in Maroochydore and have now been here for six months. I now work with
a family travel group organising events and conferences.
"I love travelling and I’ve travelled to 42 countries. My favourite is Brazil, where my fiancé and I spent some time. We have
this thing – that we must always have travelled to more countries than our age… but we have a bit of a way to go. We’re getting married
in October and our honeymoon looks to be in Mexico, so we won’t be adding another country to our belt."
Her aspirations with Noosa Community Radio: "Initially I thought only production as I was right outside my comfort zone being
‘on air’. Now I’m really beginning to enjoy this side of the operation but I would still like to be involved in production."
Reading this, our overstretched production boys will probably dance for joy...
"I would really like to have an afternoon drive show – current music, gossip and some fun.
"I would like it to eventually lead me into commercial radio. Once again hosting a ‘drive’ show. In general, it will help me in
all aspects of radio and TV."
Favourite style of music: ‘80s and ‘90s current music. Favourite artists: Red Hot Chilli Peppers. Her most enjoyable musical
event: "Sitting on my Dad’s shoulders right through Madonna in Sydney in 1991."
Mark Ingram brings a background in the film industry, work with musos and artists and professional soccer. He now owns a
local business.
"I’ve only been here since August 2007. I moved here with my wife and two-year old son, and we’re expecting another one soon.
I think it’s a much better way of life for my children in the future, being here.
"In the film industry I was a freelance co-ordinator and assistant director. I worked with many musos and artists.
"One of my "highlights" was to refuse to look after Madonna for two weeks when she was playing Evita.
"I am originally from the UK and was here 20 years ago when I played a season with the Surfers Paradise soccer team. I’m very
keen on soccer and have now joined a local club so I can keep on playing."
Mark is aiming at the peak: Presenter of a breakfast show. Prime time for any radio station on the globe. People kill for that
slot...
"It’s been a long standing ambition. I think it will also help in blending in to business but of course, the opportunity to
widen my circle of acquaintances and friends."
Favourite style of music: Wide variety. Modern Pop to the classics such as Frank Sinatra. Favourite artists: U2. His most enjoyable
musical event: "Too many to be able to select just one!"
Teresa McGill says being a mother and wife is the hardest job she’s ever done although "in my ‘previous life’ I was a
P.A.!"
"But it’s so rewarding. I have three children and we moved to Noosa because of the choice of lifestyle and it’s a better
place to raise a family. I was born in Mackay and moved here from Brisbane in 1996."
She first learned of Noosa Community Radio through fellow trainee, Barbara Buchanan, at Toastmasters.
"It will help me widen my life and get back into the community. Time is against me, as a busy mum, but I hope to be able to do
something on an intermittent basis – voiceovers for example."
Favourite style of music: A broad spectrum. Favourite artist: "I really don’t have one. It depends on my mood." Her
most enjoyable musical event: Neil Diamond concert in 1996.
Semi-retired Diet Simon comes with a background of more than 40 years of radio journalism. "I can’t live without radio.
I’d shrivel and die without it."
"I grew up in Caboolture and Brisbane and as teenagers we used to hitchhike up here when there were half a dozen fishermen’s
Queenslanders on Hastings Street and about the same number of houses at Peregian Beach. This was the place I was homesick for
overseas."
Diet emailed Noosa Community Radio even before he moved here in 2006 from Germany, where he had worked for Reuters news agency and
Radio Deutsche Welle’s English service.
He’s one of our newscasters and you may have heard him doing political interviews. He gets involved with various aspects that need
writing and editing skill.
"I hope to do a show of international music, explaining contexts and translating lyrics, and talk on all sorts of issues and
happenings. My greatest joy would be to have enough of a team of news-trained people here to do a strong current affairs show. From
little things big things grow..."
Favourite style of music: "Anything from Classic to Aboriginal." Favourite artists: "Currently Yothu Yindi, but my
preference changes regularly, flowing with mood. I find the idea of ‘favourite’ music or artist imprisoning." His most
enjoyable musical events: Yothu Yindi in Woodford, Mikis Theodorakis in Germany, Miriam Makeba in Germany.
Pretty interesting mob, ay? Want to be among us? Look under "Support Us" on our website to see how.
The trainees were interviewed by Brian Waley, one of our team of receptionists – also with an impressive business background.
Article written by Diet Simon.
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