Veteran broadcaster Mark Aiston sanguine after being axed

VETERAN media personality Mark Aiston says this week’s Dreamworld tragedy has put his “shock” axing from FIVEaa into perspective.

Mark Aiston with former Fiveaa colleagues Jane Reilly and David Penberthy.

VETERAN media personality Mark Aiston says this week’s Dreamworld tragedy has put his “shock” axing from FIVEaa into perspective.

Mark’s three-decade long career in the media came to a sudden halt on Wednesday after he was informed by the radio station he was no longer required to co-host FIVEaa’s weekend brekkie show alongside Michael Keelan in 2017.

But the former Ten sports presenter described his departure as a “hump in the road” compared to this week’s accident at Queensland’s theme park Dreamworld which killed four people.

“Two days ago 4 people lost their lives at Dream World. Those families will never get over that. Thay will grieve in some way for ever. That is a life changing event,” Mark wrote in a post on his Facebook page.

“What has happened to me is now in perspective .. It is a challenge, It is a hump in the road. What happened to those families is an earthquake of massive magnitude.

“Things will work out for me, in some way shape of form. I am grateful, I have a loving wife, a beautiful daughter .. friends, dog jack, cat Chloe and my health.

“But please remember, when something in your life goes wrong, or doesn’t go your way, don’t blame, take responsibility, look inwardly, but far more importantly put it into perspective. And this is exactly what I have done.”

Earlier in the week, Mark, 58, admitted the axing was a “kick in the guts for sure” which might have spelled the end of his media career.

“To be honest, it was a shock, I haven’t done anything wrong,” Mark told Confidential.

“They simply told me it was a budgetry consideration.

“It’s the first time I’ve officially been unemployed, it’s an experience. It’s quite a humbling experience.

“I’m not going to get into any negative but funnily enough I’ve already emailed (ABC Radio SA general manager) Graeme Bennett at 891 ... I’ve got a lot to offer but it’s hard to get back in. “There may not be anything there for me, this may be it from a media point of view. It’s very sad ... I love the industry.”

Mark began his career in 1982 as a racecaller for 5DN and joined Ten in 1996, working at the TV station for 18 years before quitting suddenly because of a stress-related illness in 2014.

He’s also co-hosted top-rating brekkie radio shows on Mix 102.3 and FIVEaa, before moving to the morning weekend shift last year.

In an internal announcement released to employees yesterday, FIVEaa says dumping Mark was a “difficult decision” and was not based on his performance but on the “broader needs” of the station.