Ryan ‘Fitzy’ Fitzgerald reflects on 20 years of radio station Nova 919 Adelaide

The beloved radio presenter takes a look back at 20 years of Nova 919 – including the day his wife went into labour while he was on-air.

In 20 years on Nova 919, Ryan ‘Fitzy’ Fitzgerald has shared everything with his loyal listeners – even the birth of his first son.

The popular radio presenter was reunited this week with several former and current Nova breakfast show hosts to celebrate the Adelaide station’s 20th birthday.

Fitzy, a former Crow and reality TV star, reflected on some his favourite on-air memories, including the day he and wife Belinda ‘BJ’ Irons, welcomed baby Hewston in August 2009.

“She went into labour during the show … the team was crossing to me at the hospital while BJ was having contractions and from there, our listeners grew up with my kids,” said Fitzy, who was co-host of Nova 919’s breakfast show at the time.

(Bottom to top) Ryan Fitzgerald, Jules Schiller, Jodie J. Hill, and Tony Moclair at the Kentish Arms Hotel in 2004.

Ryan ''Fitzy'' Fitzgerald with wife BJ and baby son Hewston at Nova in Adelaide in 2009.

“It look me a long time to understand when I first got the gig, but when I first started at Nova, I was pretty reluctant to open up on my personal life.

“But as we got the know the listeners and they got to know us, we guided each other through our lives.”

Now part of the station’s top-rating Fitzy & Wippa with Kate Ritchie in Sydney, the ex-footballer had just made a name for himself on the 2004 season of Channel 10’s Big Brother, when he joined Nova’s first breakfast team alongside Jules Schiller, Tony Moclair and Jodie Hill in late 2004.

Radio station Nova 91.9's breakfast line-up of Fitzy, Claire Murphy and Jules Schiller in 2008.

Ryan Fitzgerald and Jules Schiller at the Nova 919 20th birthday event at The District, SkyCity. Picture: Supplied.

He stayed at Nova 919 for six years before moving to Sydney as co-host of the station’s drive show Fitzy and Wippa with co-host Michael Wipfli. The rest is radio history.

“It was all a dream for me,” said Fitzy.

“I had my two radio inspirations in Merrick & Rosso introducing me on a brand-new radio network in my hometown of Adelaide. I was asking myself, ‘Could it get any better than this?’

“The station has been a huge part of my, and our listeners lives and it’s amazing to look back at the station it is today. I absolutely adore this place.”

Former Nova 919 breakfast hosts Jules Schiller, Ben Harvey, Liam Stapleton, Belle Jackson, Hayley Pearson, Shane Lowe, and current duo Jodie Oddy and Andrew Hayes were also in attendance at the birthday event at The District, SkyCity, on Thursday night.

Ryan Fitzgerald, back centre, with Belle Jackson, Ben Harvey, Andrew Hayes, Jodie Oddy, Liam Stapleton, Shane Lowe and Jules Schiller at the Nova 919 20th birthday event at The District, SkyCity. Picture: Supplied.

Former SAFM brekkie co-host-turned-Adelady Hayley Pearson with 2016 Nova brekkie team Dylan Lewis and Shane Lowe. Photo Sam Wundke

Crows champion Andrew McLeod with radio presenter Ryan "Fitzy" Fitzgerald and Warren Tredrea in studio of Nova 919 in 2007.

Nova’s Jules Schiller, Ryan Fitzgerald, Jodie J. Hill and Tony Moclair.

Oddy said the station’s past presenters had left an “incredible legacy” for her and Hayes to follow.

“There have been so many amazing amazingly talented people grace the airwaves,” she said.

“Through the years I’ve formed beautiful friendships … all people I’ve admired from afar for so many years that I am so lucky to call my friends.”

Hayes started at Nova as a ‘Casanova’, working with then-breakfast pair Dylan Lewis and Shane Lowe.

“I couldn’t believe my luck being able to work with Lewis & Lowe as their street guy, getting up to all sorts of crazy stuff,” he recalled.

“I remember when Bunnings announced they were pet friendly, I tried to take a camel into the story so you can imagine how that went.

“I feel like I’ve grown up here, it’s a massive family and having mentors like the great Fitzy has been so amazing.”