THE PRESENTERS

Alex Hehr
Saturdays 7.00am – 11.00am  “Brekkie with Alex” Sundays 8.00pm –11.00pm “Thanks for the Memory”. Alex has always had a love of music and began collecting records in 1961. His working life was spent in the banking industry as his nan said you are going into a secure job my boy – but radio was always in the background. Together with a close friend they built their own radio station at home in the early 60s and played disc jockeys for hours on end. Alex became intrigued by the music of the British and American dance bands of the 30s and started collecting 78’s in the late 60s. In the 1980s Alex packaged a series of one hour nostalgia programs for the ABC’s “Sentimental Journey”. He recorded 78’s on tape and sent them to Sydney with a script. John West presented the program and credited Alex with the preparation. Alex also did part-time work at the old 3GL Geelong. He was well and truly on his way to a future in radio – his great love!! When Phillip Brady and Bruce Mansfield took on “Remember When” at 3AW, Alex joined them soon after writing material. He also presented a 30 minute segment of the golden days of Melbourne radio, once a month on the program. After 3AW there followed a short stint at 3CR and then Alex joined Southern FM – 88.3 in Moorabbin in October 1994. Here he presented a four hour nostalgia program titled “Thanks for the Memory”. Due to various circumstances Alex decided to leave Southern FM in April 1998. After a break of a few months he was approached by 3GDR asking him to replace their Sunday night nostalgia presenter. After so many years collecting, Alex has some 200,000 tunes in his sound library and loves presenting his various programs on Golden Days Radio. In addition to his weekly programs, Alex is also the Station Manager and Sponsorship Manager.  

Avril Smith
Fridays 2.00pm – 5.00pm. While dial twisting one day in 1996, Avril suddenly came upon familiar music which made her happy and, for her, memory lane was rediscovered. Furthermore, a community radio station staffed by retirees to serve senior members of the community offered a unique and exciting challenge, so Avril volunteers as a telephonist. At that time GDR was on air at weekends only. She learned to prepare presenters logs and to this day remains a member of the team of four ladies responsible for the logs. When Friday broadcasts commenced on 3rd July 1998, Avril became our Friday afternoon presenter and has filled that role ever since. Avril firmly believes in the saying “life is nothing without music”. In particular, the music from the late 19th century to the mid 20th century brought great variety, with composers, orchestras, instrumentalists, vocalists and comedians all contributing to that magnificent golden era. It is this music that Avril feels privileged to present every Friday afternoon.

Barry Day
Fridays 11.00am – 2.00pm. Barry Day presents as part of his regular program, a one hour fifteen minute program featuring the greatest musical stage productions as performed on Broadway, the West End and on stage in Australia. This popular program includes musical numbers with narration by Barry. If you love the timeless stage musicals don’t miss “Showtime Curtain Up” at 12.10, Friday afternoons.

Barry Skinner
Mondays 7.30 – 8.00pm – “Sinatra A to Z” Tuesdays 8.00pm – 11.00pm –“Jazz on Tuesday”. Although Barry has been in the broadcasting industry for more than 35 years his leap into radio only occurred in 2001, when he joined Golden Days Radio. Prior to GDR he was involved in television broadcasting as a creative producer/director in the area of “on-air” station promotions. Barry’s employers included a number of provincial stations in Australia, GTV 9 Melbourne, Canadian television broadcasting, stints in Hollywood, 8 years at Rupert Murdoch’s British Sky Broadcasting in London, Swedish television, Fox Television in New York City and two years in Malaysian television. An admirer of Frank Sinatra’s unique vocal style since his late teens, Barry has further expanded his knowledge of the subject since he’s been presenting “Sinatra A to Z” on 95.7. Whilst living in London, he had the opportunity of seeing Sinatra in concert at the Royal Albert Hall, when Frank was in his mid 70s – “an unforgettable experience”. Barry’s early interest in jazz developed (believe it or not) in Albury NSW. It’s not that Albury had a “jazz scene” as such, but it did have the regional ABC radio station which broadcast Arch McKirdy’s superb late night jazz program, “Music to Midnight”. If you enjoy quality, smooth jazz or Frank Sinatra, then check out Tuesday nights between 8 and 11 and Monday nights at 7.30. Into quality jazz? Then check out www.thejazzman.com.au

Basil Ornellas

Basil an ex South African, settled in Australia some 32 years ago. He and his wife, Edith, have been married for 51 years; they have two children and four grand-children.

Basil, prior to retiring, was a storage and distribution consultant, specialising in warehousing, systems, procedural, and strategy design and implementation.

Basil has been deeply involved with Rotary for many years - both in South Africa and Australia. One of Rotary’s major platforms is community service, which is what led him to become a volunteer at Golden Days Radio. He found it so intriguing that a radio station staffed entirely by volunteers, has become so successful in serving the community without any payment to anyone whatsoever. So much so, that he felt he would like to join the group too.

His other interests over time, have spanned sport, amateur drama, music, family, community service and, of course, Golden Days Radio!

Beryl Greenwood

Sunday 5.00pm – 8.00pm. I give full credit to my then 2 year old-Grand-daughter Amber for finding Golden Days Radio. She was “playing” with Nanny’s radio and very cleverly tuned into 95.7FM. From that day, l have been a totally devoted listener, becoming a member within a few days and soon volunteering as a receptionist. I love doing this and have made many wonderful friends, both at Golden Days and with the members.


Bob Horsfall
Wednesday 2.00pm – 5.00pm.  Bob began entertaining in 1936 at the Tivoli Theatre as an acrobatic dancer. He was the Australian Tap Dancing champion for 18 years. At the South Street Ballarat’s competitions he was boy soprano champion under sixteen for 3 years. His radio career saw him at the microphone at 3KZ, Radio 2UE Sydney, 3AW, 3UZ and community station 88.3 for 14 years before moving to Golden Days Radio. Bob has appeared on many television shows having worked at GTV 9 for over 5 years and HSV 7 for 8 years. In that time at Channel 9 he appeared on IMT, compered Happy Go Lucky, BP Super Shows with Bob Dyer and was a vocalist with the Tune Twisters which was formed in 1944. This group also sang with the Glenn Miller and Tommy Dorsey orchestras. At Channel 7 he appeared in the Happy Show, Time for Terry, Sunnyside Up, Variety 7, Club 7 and World of Sport. Bob has toured extensively with J.C. Williamsons with stage productions featuring the names of Frank Sinatra, Frankie Laine, Buddy Rich, and Mel Torme and has done shows with Johnnie Ray, Peter Dawson, Bob Hope, Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong.  As well as acting in 12 films, Bob has also appeared in popular TV shows such as Blue Heelers, Homicide, Prisoner, Power Without Glory, Division 4, Neighbours, Bellbird with a continuing role, Matlock Police and Ramsay.

Brian Davis
Wednesday 7.30am – 11.00am. Originally from London, Brian, who has lived in Australia since 1973, has a great love of the jazz and popular music of the 1920s, ‘30s and ‘40s and came across Golden Days by chance when twiddling the dial one day and never looked back. His background was in computing, formerly IT manager at the Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation (later Hawker de Havilland) and subsequently worked for Computer Power, Price Waterhouse and ETX Consultants in IT recruitments. Brian decided to support GDR by becoming a member, then for a bit of fun volunteered to work as a presenter on the station. He has no prior experience in broadcasting or media but enjoys working with his colleagues at the studios.

Bruce McBrien OAM

Friday 2.30pm – 2.35pm.  Bruce presents a delightful segment each week where he talks about the streets, buildings and characters that made up early Melbourne.


 

Carlos Kramer

Saturday 2.00pm – 5.00pm. Carlos’s pleasant Saturday afternoon program is a delightful and entertaining interlude. Golden Days Radio’s wonderful nostalgic musical memorabilia fills the afternoon and the highlight is his “Bonbons” which are little mostly musical sweetmeats scattered throughout the afternoon designed to uplift your spirits and soothe your soul. There’s the ever popular Sing-a-Long at 3.00pm and the afternoon is liberally sprinkled with Carlos’s distinctive humour. Carlos is a gregarious, convivial character who has been around theatre for decades. An accomplished character actor, script writer and keyboardist, he has appeared in numerous productions on both the professional and repertory stage. Carlos was born In Melbourne of European parents and is married to Diana, an expert in French Perfume. They have been married for over 50 years and have two daughters, each with two children. He is proud almost to the point of obsession of his four grand children (two boys, two girls). Carlos derives great joy from watching them develop and achieve their highest potential and exploiting their God-given talents. Presently, he is a member of the Committee of Management and Convenor of the Program Sub-Committee at GDR and is stimulated by the challenge of ensuring the “sound of GDR” is as professional and listenable as possible. He has always been a community participant and finds Golden Days Radio a perfect vehicle to fulfil his need to contribute to the community. 

Dermot Lyttle

Sunday 2.00pm – 5.00pm. (1st and 3rd) Dermot has made a professional career in education, teaching at several schools and universities in Australia, England and France, specialising in English and Philosophy. He continues to work in this field as an educational consultant. His passions centre on the arts- theatre, literature and music in particular.

Dermot has always loved radio, finding it one of the most intimate forms of communication and medium that, apart from providing great enjoyment, can stimulate the imagination and intelligence of both listener and presenter. He believes that Golden Days Radio plays a valuable and almost unique role in engaging with the interests of senior members of the community. With music, whether classical, jazz or popular, Dermot believes that it must nurture our deepest sense of who we are and what we feel. In Louis Armstrong’s more succinct phrase, “What we play is life”. He believes that it should always be more than just a pleasant ornament or background. Therefore, he detests anodine “wallpaper music” and Muzac. As Golden Days Radio and its audience grows, Dermot hopes that it will continue to concentrate on the music of bygone years and that it might extend and develop opportunities for interaction with its listeners.


Des Ford

Tuesday 11am – 2.00pm. Des’s working life was spent in the electronic media. In the mid ‘50s he started work at 3AW as a junior “dogs body” and had a spectacular time over the next two years working with Jack Davey, Terry Dear, Norman Banks, John Masters and a host of amazing characters. The Chief Engineer then suggested to Des that he go to Channel 9 – “It will suit you and you will get more”. After seven wonderful years he ended up as head of audio working with The Beatles, Graham Kennedy and many more during that halcyon time.

GTV 9 purchased 3AK and Des got his first taste of announcing, doing Saturday afternoons. Seeking sanity he joined Channel 8 in Mount Gambier S.A. as Program/ Production Manager and for two years did everything from reading the news to painting the floor. Then off to 5DN Adelaide to do breakfast and talks on radio and TV work with NWS 9. Seven years later he got homesick so back to GTV for 13 years as a Director/Producer then eventually Production Manager. Des also moonlighted at Radio Australia for a year or so. In his mid forties Des joined 3MP (now 1377MTR) doing nights for many years. The travel bug bit (and hasn’t stopped), so he spent a year looking at the world after which he worked freelance for a while until taking the plunge and retiring. Des heard about Golden Days through his old workmate, friend and neighbour Barry Skinner. Barry raved about the nice, mature people and the product. One day Des decided to listen – and he was hooked!

Des lists travel, reading, the outdoors and the arts as interests. He has four children, twins included and delights in them and their six off-spring. Two more young adults entered his life when he married Anne in 2005.

Dudley Chamberlain

Monday 2.00pm – 5.00pm. Dudley came to GDR when a friend suggested he should tune in to 95.7FM and listen. Always someone who does what he’s told, he tuned in and began swaying from left to right, his head nodding in 4/4 time and a benign smile curving across his face and eyes turning to an opaque glaze. Shortly afterwards, he contacted Golden Days Radio and the rest, as they say, is history. As well as presenting his own program, Dudley is also involved with our Community News segment as an interviewer.

Fay Thorne

Thursday 2.00pm – 5.00pm.  After 37 years, living in seven countries as the spouse of a U.S. diplomat, my return to the Melbourne I had known was enhanced by a friend recommending 3GDR.  To be able to listen to the soundtrack of my life has sweet memories - from my parents' ballroom dance music, the player piano rolls, the hit parade, the jazz dances.  After marriage, the subscriptions to ballet and philharmonic concerts with a balletomane and classical music buff or our record collection of such music brought so much pleasure.
As a volunteer reader/presenter at Vision Australia radio for seven years on the early morning news roster and later host of the weekly Food Topics program, I became aware of the value of radio to so many, particularly those who live alone and who want to be engaged with life.  The esprit de corps and commitment of the volunteers at Golden Days is stimulating.

Fred Trim
Thursday 7.30am – 11.00am. Fred gets your Thursdays off to a bright start with a program of golden melodies. Listeners get the opportunity to win “a fortune on friendly Fred” competition here a $5-00 scratchie is up for grabs. Fred’s introduction to GDR was several years ago when he volunteered his services as a telephone operator. In November 2001, Fred moved into the presenters’ chair where he hosted the Thursday shift. Fred’s a man who loves an early start, particularly on Thursdays.

George Rolfe
Thursday 8.00pm – 11.00pm. In common with many other listeners to Golden Days Radio, George came across the station while dial-twiddling on the car radio. He liked what he heard and became a member in 2000. Beginning as a telephonist, he moved to presenting and has conducted the Thursday night program since 2001. He enjoys the camaraderie of the station volunteers and the many friendships made with 3GDR listeners.

Gerry Watts
Friday 8.00pm – 11.00pm
Gerry is one of the youngest of our presenters – he’s in his fifties and is still working. Gerry spent several years at community station Vision Australia Radio (3RPH) before moving to Golden Days, His passion for radio goes back to his youth when he used to produce his own programmes on a tape deck in his bedroom. Gerry also held a “ham” radio licence. You can join Gerry on Friday nights from 8pm when he’ll help you to wind down the week with some golden favourites until 10 o’clock followed by some popular music from the 60s and beyond.

What is a “Double Malted?” That’s when Gerry plays the same song twice by two artists with different interpretations. It’s the kind of shenanigans you’ll hear on 60s and Beyond.

Usually, the show starts with an upbeat number but by the time you’re ready to drift off to sleep at 11pm, he’s wound down to something mellow from James Taylor, Joni Mitchell or Janis Ian. (He likes the Js does our Gerry).
If you like songs from the Sixties and Seventies you’ll enjoy Sixties and Beyond with Gerry Watts, after the news at 10 pm Fridays.

Graham Pack
Saturday 5.00pm – 8.00pm (1st and 3rd). Graham has had a life long interest in radio, starting off with a crystal set complete with Bakelite headphones. He remembers the family sitting around the radio to listen to Crosby Morrisson and the program “Off The Beaten Track” on 3DB and 3LK after the 7pm news service. Graham started as a Telephone Support Person at Golden Days Radio and under the watchful eyes of the late Fred Cross became a presenter. In the two programs each month that Graham presents, he offers a quiz around 5.30pm which always attracts interest. He also “peppers” his program with trivia about the artists he plays.

Harry Douglass
Sunday 7.00am – 11.00am.  Harry produces, prepares and presents“Sounds Like Sunday” featuring classical music incorporating symphonies, concertos, opera and operettas and listeners requests.

Harry was born in Sydney and from a very young age grew up with a love of music and theatre. His favourite past times were listening to the wireless, especially the ABC, live theatre and film. In the very early fifties this great love of music and theatre influenced him in the choice of his first job at the Sydney Tivoli Theatre where he was a lighting technician.

After sometime, Harry then moved to Western Australia and joined the Australian Broadcasting Commission (6WF/6WN) as a cadet moving on to become an announcer and remained with the ABC for 11 years. On returning to Sydney he applied for a position of trainee manager with Greater Union Theatres. On completion of his training he was appointed Assistant Manager of the Forum/Rapallo cinemas in Flinders Street, Melbourne.

Harry also had, and still has, a great love of trains so in 1968 he joined the Victorian Railways remaining with them until his retirement in 1995. It was during this time he joined 3MBS where he produced and presented a 3 hour program ‘Saturday Afternoon with Harry Douglass” and “Musicworld” on Friday evenings. He remained a volunteer presenter with 3MBS for 21 years.
Harry joined Golden Days Radio in February 1996 and commenced the Sunday morning program in April of that year.

Heather Swift
Thursday 5.00pm – 8.00pm. Heather was born in Ireland, and came to Australia on a working holiday in 1960. She has travelled extensively overseas and in Australia. Heather is a professional Home Economist and also has a diploma in Catering and Dietetics. She was working at the gas and Fuel Corp., during the 1960s and then at Petersville Research and development. In 1972 she joined the Head Office of Coles, where extensive travel commitments were all part of the job. She was also involved in public relations, sales promotions, staff training and communications. In past years Heather has played Tennis, badminton, table tennis and hockey. She now plays bridge and solo, loves the theatre and opera, and of course working at 3GDR. She is part of our speakers group and talks to clubs on behalf of the radio station. An important member of her family is a black and white Schnauzer called beau.

Ian McLeod

Wednesday 8.00pm – 11.00pm. Ian is one of our newer presenters and was lured across as a Golden Days supporter for many years listening to the golden age of British dance bands and loving the shimmer of the mighty Wurlitzer organ on a Saturday evening. He still runs a small family men's wear business in Beaumaris and is married with two daughters and four bubbling grandchildren.

In a previous business life, Ian headed up the national menswear and ladies footwear divisions for the Myer Emporium Ltd. He is passionate about his hobbies, namely the love of his home cinema where everything is shown from the golden age of MGM musicals to Disney to the Marx Bros on a regular basis. Whilst still at school, Ian was a trainee projectionist at the old Dendy and Prince George cinemas in Brighton.

He is an active committee person at his local yacht squadron and enjoys horseracing most Saturday afternoons. Since joining GDR as a volunteer he has gained much enjoyment in resurrecting his own record collection and shares many of his discs from time to time via the Golden Days airwaves. He claims it is an absolute joy to be part of the GD team.

Joan Krutli

Monday 5.00pm – 8.00pm. Joan began her radio career in 1996 – the same year she retired from the workforce. Prior to that she’d never been inside a radio station, much less been “on air”. In fact a career in radio had never crossed her mind. When looking through the local papers one day, she saw that radio station 88.3 Southern FM was looking for a receptionist. As Joan had been a secretary/receptionist all her working life, she thought, “Why not give it a go? It might be a bit of fun”. The rest as they say is history.
So from those small beginnings, Joan went on to present a weekly two-hour program “That’s Entertainment/Backstage Chat”. The program featured musicals of yesteryear and today as well as focus on community theatre in and around Melbourne.

Another of Joan’s roles at Southern FM was that of News Co-ordinator. This involved auditioning prospective news readers who, if successful, came on board and often went on to get their own program.

Joan has also been involved in theatre for more years than she’d care to remember. She’s done musical comedy, Gilbert and Sullivan, and now works with various groups around Melbourne, including Encore, Malvern and Brighton Theatres and The Adelphi Players.

 Joan is very impressed with the professionalism and high quality of programs at GDR. The warmth and friendliness of everyone involved at the station makes it a happy experience for presenters and listeners alike.

John Amor
Sunday 11.00am - 2.00pm. John was newly retired when he joined GDR in 1992. He was attracted by the potential to serve the lonely and the housebound and also by the concept of allowing retired people to experience for the first time the pleasure of presenting a radio program for their peers. The founders of GDR invited John to become the Treasurer of the interim committee. He was elected to the Committee of Management at the first AGM in 1993 and has been on the committee ever since, serving as Station Manager, Program Manager, President and currently, Treasurer. John came to GDR without any knowledge of radio broadcasting and learnt on the job as a panel operator during the broadcasts from Southland in 1993. He was first heard on GDR as the Saturday breakfast presenter in 1994. John has a particular interest in the melodic and sentimental style of music which was popular 100 years ago, and he keeps this alive on Sundays from 11.00am.

John Clarke
Wednesday 10.07pm – 10.55pm. John presents his own program “Night Music” a relaxing program of gentle ballads featuring some of the great jazz singers of all time. John, who is still working has many interests, after his family, namely music (classical, opera and jazz) sailing and reading.

John Hoey
Tuesday 5.00pm – 8.00pm.
Radio was a significant part of John’s early life when his father was the Director of Radio Australia. He remembers the large shortwave receiver at home in the study and the twin-masted aerial in the backyard enabling his father (and himself) to monitor RA and other shortwave broadcasts. He came across GDR when the clock radio, primed to go off at 0600 on Radio National, was accidentally switched from AM to FM and he awoke to the sound of GDR playing its overnight random selections. It seemed to him that the ABC had gone on strike! His preferences in music cross many boundaries, as long as the music is interesting and not too invasive. Mellow, with minimal bellow, is his musical inclination. He remembers when living in Sydney being stuck in traffic on the Bridge, but at the same time very much enjoying the varied and interesting music Sue Howard played on her ABC ‘Drive’ show. He hopes his programme will be similarly enjoyable.   He has an abiding interest in classic cars and historic motor sport in general

Julie Bastow
Tuesday 2.00pm – 5.00pm. Julie feels strongly that the marvellous body of music composed in the first five decades of the 20th century must continue to be heard to ensure its preservation and to attract new generations of listeners. She finds GDR an absorbing and delightful retirement activity providing her with an ideal community service opportunity. Julie also relishes the chance to learn more about the music of the 1920s, 30s, 40s, and 50s from the luminaries amongst the GDR volunteers and the vast musical resources of the station. Julie is also our membership Secretary and Minute Secretary to the Committee of Management.

Larry James
Friday 7.30am – 11.00am. Larry has always been interested in music, particularly the music that can be heard on GDR. Larry was recommended to have a listen to the station by a friend and once he did, he was hooked. He was also impressed with the professionalism of the station’s presentation. Larry joined as a member in 2004 and has been the Friday morning breakfast presenter since June 2007. He is currently the President of Golden Days Radio.
Larry spent 25 years in banking and 10 years in the tourism industry, working at the popular “Puffing Billy” Railway in the Dandenong’s east of Melbourne. He still volunteers time there twice a month and is also Secretary of the Preservation Society.  Golden Days he says is very similar to Puffing Billy – one “big happy family”.

Loretta Simmons
Saturday 11.00am – 2.00pm. Loretta was born in Melbourne with her childhood spent in the bush. Entertainment focus of home life was the wireless, the enjoyment and wonder it provided set the scene for a lifelong love of radio. Loretta retired from a stenographic career of some 40 years in 1998. She has always been involved with the community. For 3 years she was a councillor for the City of Castlemaine, Committee and Chairman of the Professional Secretaries Group (Australian Institute of Management) for 8 years and a volunteer at Melbourne’s 2006 Commonwealth Games. She is a qualified Health Counsellor, performs Funeral Celebrancy and places gentle emphasis on the importance of “Life Biography”. She is in awe of the treasure trove of skills of the over 50s, especially the volunteers who collectively contribute to 3GDR. As Deputy President, Community Liaison Officer and Presenter, she is passionate about spreading the “word” as one of GDR’s speakers. A great grandmother, Loretta says her four grandchildren see her as “pretty cool”.

Maurie Lockie
Monday 11.00am – 2.00pm
Maurie has been in broadcasting all his working life. At the age of 16 he joined 3BO Bendigo which was part of the AWA network as an announcer during the war. He joined the Air Force at 18 and while serving in New Guinea he was in charge of the RAAF broadcasting station at Madang. With the call sign RAAF Radio Madang, the station broadcast to Australian and American troops throughout the islands.

After the war AWA transferred him to 4CA Cairns for two years as a senior announcer. In 1947, Maurie joined the ABC as announcer and senior newsreader in Brisbane.

In 1951, the ABC transferred Maurie to Melbourne where he worked for their Home Service and for Radio Australia. In 1954 until 1957 he compered a live variety request program “Yours for the Asking” with the ABC Melbourne Dance Band.  This programme was broadcast around the world and brought in hundreds and hundreds of requests from all parts of the globe.

Maurie was also compere of “Yours for the Asking” on the Home Service each weekday morning at 9am.

In 1956, Maurie transferred to ABC Television and was instrumental in getting the new service up and running. In television, Maurie produced and directed live variety programs such as “Latin Holiday” and TV dramas. He was one of the team of directors of the long running serial “Bellbird”.

Maurie retired from the ABC in 1985 and since that time has done voluntary work for Radio 3RPH (Vision Australia) and has a regular three hour program on Golden Days Radio for Senior Citizens Inc. every Monday morning which commenced in 2005.

Max Davis

Saturday 5.00pm – 8.00pm. (2nd and 4th) Max was born in the northern area of South Australia and became a radio fanatic from an early age. After a move to Gawler he tried to get a job in radio; however his parents disapproved because of the fickle nature of the medium. After an appendix operation he secured a job with the Public Service in Adelaide.

In 1963 he transferred to Canberra where Steve Liebmann was a star on 2CA. Max hated Canberra in those days and moved to Melbourne in January 1965. He attended radio school classes while working for Dunlop Australia for 4 years. He returned to the Public Service in 1969. He travelled around the world for 3 months in 1980 and in 1993 he “took a package”.

The same year he discovered Golden Days Radio and enjoyed what he heard so much that he just had to be a part of it. Max happily works his regular shifts despite also working long hours as a courier 5 days a week.

Paul Mason

Saturday 8.00pm – 11.00pm. Paul it seems has been in radio forever. As well as his involvement in community radio since its inception, he was also a regular contributor to the ABC’s “Sentimental Journey” and had a number of his scripts accepted and used on the BBC. Paul’s massive record collection, started over 60 years ago and includes nearly every type and style of recorded entertainment from the 20th Century, backed up by an impressive library of printed material.

Paul’s main musical interest is “The Golden Age of the British Dance Bands” and such artists as Al Bowlly and Chick Henderson. Not only has Paul had the opportunity to meet many of the legendary singers, musicians and band leaders of the day, but he’s also formed a lasting friendship with many of them. It’s not just British music figures who are part of Paul’s musical interests, but also the singer referred to as the “Canadian Crosby” – Dick Todd. Paul has been quoted in an American publication as “an expert on Dick Todd”.

There’s every chance that you’ve heard Paul before, not just on Golden Days Radio “Stepping out with Memories” but in the past on 3CR with the late Neville Wragg, also 3WRB, 3CCC, 3INR, 3NOW and 3ECB – Paul Mason, a man who has radio in the blood.

Ralph Blake

Tuesday 7.30am – 11.00am. Ralph first went on air at GDR in January 2001 as a breakfast presenter. In September of that year he had the privilege of being the first person to carry out a live presentation on a Tuesday after the station received its full time licence in July 2001. Ralph has been in that position since then. His program features a segment “Famous Groups”. His personal preferences are for music associated with films and stage shows, popular light classics and songs from the ‘30s, ‘40s, and ‘50s. Ralph’s love of music from film and stage probably came from the 17 years of employment he experienced with Hoyts Theatres and then MGM, He met many celebrities during this time at functions such as the various premiers that were held. These included Melvyn Douglas, Vivien Leigh, Ann Miller, Rod Taylor, Chips Rafferty, Sue Lyons (from “Lolita” – who wasn’t permitted to view the premiere due to her young age), Gordon Boyd, Evie Hayes, Graham Kennedy, Norman Swain and various others. Prior to his retirement Ralph worked on local councils as an assistant building surveyor.

Rhonda Lewis
Thursday 11.00am – 2.00pm. Rhonda started her radio career as a production person on a women’s segment at 3CR. Although the equipment was very basic it did enthuse Rhonda to look for further work at 3RPH, where training was offered to those interested in radio production. After 15 happy years working for 3RPH and with Eileen Harrell for 9 of those years on Eileen’s nightly music program, Rhonda was the lucky recipient of the majority of Eileen’s music collection, following her passing. As one door closed another opened when GDR presenter Christine Mackenzie suggested that GDR was a great station and encouraged Rhonda to “give it a go” and we’re glad she did.

Robert Anderson
Monday 7.30am – 11.00am and Friday 5.00pm – 8.00pm. Robert’s radio/media career began at the Herald Sun’s 3DB in 1960, starting as a turntable operator moving into production. He then had a stint as an announcer/copy writer at Radio 7BU in Burnie, Tasmania. On returning to the mainland Robert took up employment at the Herald and Weekly Times, where he worked in the circulation department. This led to promotions and the co-ordinating of the Sun Tour Cycle Race, the Sun Aria Operatic Competition and the Herald Outdoor Art Show. As a public relations journalist, Robert’s career included employment in the superannuation and hospital fields, culminating with full time work in transport with Australia Post. Robert lists his interests as reading, music of all styles, movies, jogging, squash, tennis, playing guitar, enjoying amateur theatre and the volunteer work he does for Golden Days Radio.

Ron Abel
Wednesday  5.00pm – 8.00pm. Ron was born in 1934 in Johannesburg, South Africa where he attended Marist Brothers College. He was trained as a social and Jewish communal worker and is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Secretaries. Between 1960 and 1974 Ron was General Secretary of the South African Jewish Board of Deputies in Durban. On emigrating to Australia, he was appointed the Executive Director, Victorian Jewish Board of Deputies (Melbourne). Ron held this position from 1975 until 1980, when he became Executive Secretary of the Melbourne Hebrew Congregation for the Toorak Synagogue. In 1986 he resigned to undergo open heart surgery, and in 2003 retired. Ron was made Honorary Life Member of Cabrini Hospital (Melbourne) for the 17 years he spent as Honorary Secretary. Ron is Honorary Secretary for GDR as well as a presenter. He is an accomplished pianist (although he claims he is a little “out of practice”) and he’s extremely proud of the fact that from the age of 12 his music teacher was Mish Bowlly, the brother of the famed Al Bowlly, who like Ron was born in South Africa. You never know, you may just hear Ron at the piano (when he “was in practice”) sometime on Golden Days.  

Thena Keldoulis
Wednesday 11.00am – 2.00pm. Thena was twiddling the dial and stumbled on 95.7 FM playing some of the old time favourities. Calls for volunteers introduced her to the station. She was given the opportunity to host a weekly session and has done so for the past 3 years.

 

 

Tim Acton

Friday 8.45am – 9.00am.
Tim Acton presents a 15 minute segment on armchair travel where he takes the listener to many parts of the world, exploring the cultures and the people of the countries he has visited.



Tom Wilson
Monday 8.00pm – 11.00pm. Tom produces, prepares and presents a wide ranging program of popular classics, and some of the timeless classics of the 20th Century including some light jazz selections. Tom’s love of radio extends to not only presentation but also to the technical side of broadcasting.