Rod Watson, Volunteer
When I retired as a teacher, I decided I wanted to do two things: work on a preserved railway such as Puffing Billy and work in community radio. In 1998 Volunteer coordinator Julie Jolly and station manager David Melzer (an ex-student of mine from University High) interviewed me and I was accepted for presenter training.
Eventually, after doing the training with Harold Badger, I was given the Much ado about Midday program, which I did for several years. Now I do Saturday’s A Lunchtime Miscellany and Mozart and Friends both on the digital band.
I was a great fan of Clive Stark when he was Broadcast Manager in the early 2000s. One thing he said to me was smile when you talk into the microphone and the smile will come out in your voice.
I used to love the Bach to Bernstein program from the 80s and 90s. My wife and I used to sit in our spa on a Saturday night and listen to it, we loved the casual nature of it. They played good music and told a few jokes. They also talked on air about having a bottle of wine during the program.
I really enjoy programming things I like to listen to as well as introducing the audience to new works. I often provide suggestions to presenters, particularly some of the newer people, as I listen to a lot of the programs on the station. I just try and provide some helpful advice when I can in a non-threatening way.
During my time at the station, I am most proud of assisting and mentoring people during the presenter training process. I also did several Illuminations programs before it was cancelled. I did one on the centenary of the birth of the Russian pianist Sviatoslav Richter and another on the 150th anniversary of the birth of Clara Schumann. I also did two hours of railway music on the 150th anniversary of the opening of Australia’s first railway in 1854.