A fascination for all things radio was born when a 13-year-old Ken was given a valve-operated public address system. The future disc jockey used it to conduct pretend interviews with his brother and sisters from the veranda of the family home.
After starting high school at Nathalia in 1969, Ken convinced some of his teachers to let him have his own radio program to be broadcast at lunch time.
‘‘It became pretty popular. It got to a point where people were bringing in their records for their songs to be played,’’ he said.
In 1974, after moving with his family to Nagambie, Ken found work at Mitchelton Wines and played music with the McConkey brothers.
‘‘In 1991, I heard about a relatively new radio station in Shepparton, One FM,’’ he said.
‘‘I was determined to get a job there and, after making some phone calls, I got myself into one of their training programs.
‘‘I learnt from some of the best like Ross Kirley and was lucky enough to meet the likes of Ken Austin and Ron Euling.’’
After completing his training, Ken began hosting a country music request program.
He then went on to earn a life membership at One FM.
‘‘It was a long time ago now, but it feels like I’ve only just started,’’ Ken said.
‘‘I’ve been lucky to work with some of the best in the industry and I’ve loved every minute of it. I loved it when I started and I still love it today.
‘‘I hope I’ll be around to be on the air for plenty more years to come.’’
Ken is on One FM 98.5 every second Sunday from 8am until noon.
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