4BC radio host Neil Breen on being separated from his wife and children
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused difficulties for new Brisbane-based 4BC radio host Neil Breen and his family, with the family living apart for several months.
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How does it feel to move states during a pandemic? And how do your three children feel about the move?
It’s weird because only I was allowed in as an exempt worker. My family have stayed in Sydney and can’t even visit because of the border closure. The kids are pumped about coming up later in the year. My 13-year-old daughter in particular – she keeps sending me links to houses from realestate.com.au and then texts to check I went and looked at it.
How has your family coped generally with home isolation and home schooling?
It’s been difficult at times. (Wife Elizabeth Meryment) and I have a son, 6, who’s like, ‘Why would you do writing when you can play LEGO?’ Which is fair enough. Our daughters are 15 and 13 and got stuck into online learning better than I ever would have. Lizzy is publishing magazines and her work almost stopped completely while my work continued as normal because there was so much to report on. The biggest difference in my life was the lack of traffic!
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What are you looking forward to most about being back in Brisbane?
I missed everything and was back all the time anyway. We have a house on the Sunshine Coast and are there almost every holiday. All my family are in Brisbane, Lizzy’s mum is at Noosa. We had no family in Sydney – except for one. Our nephew is Maroons’ Origin player Moses Mbye who has a young family, so we saw him, (his wife) Maddie and the kids a lot.
How much has the city changed since you lived here?
A fair bit. The roads, the skyline, apartment blocks. But I have watched it all happen. I even know how to use the Clem7 now! When it opened it was like a “Magical Mystery Tour” – I didn’t know where I was going to come up for air. Despite the changes, you can still see everything underneath that was always there. The suburbs have hardly changed – except the Greenslopes Bowling Alley is now an IGA! My favourite new places are The Calile Hotel in James St and Howard Smith Wharves. Amazing.
You worked at The Courier-Mail for a long time. What are your favourite memories of that time?
Well it’s hard to top meeting my wife. I’m thankful for the day she walked in the door. I absolutely loved the camaraderie and the laughs. I can’t believe how much fun we used to have. The place was full of characters – from Mark Oberhardt to Bart Sinclair to Mike Colman – and full of old school first-class journos like Barry Dick and Tony Koch and Peter Morley. Des Houghton and Chris Mitchell were the editors in my time and were brilliant. Chris took me to Sydney when he went to be editor-in-chief of The Australian. Then there was the new breed, like Hedley Thomas, John Lehmann and Paul Whittaker. Females were emerging as a real force in journalism at the paper and went on to flourish – my wife, Paddy Hintz, the late Jo Oliphant, Christine Jackman, Megan Turner, Michelle Hele, Cheryl Thurlow, Kylie Lang, Frances Whiting.
Did working on the Today show prepare you for the early hours required to be a breakfast radio host?
It taught me one thing – regulated sleep is the key to success, otherwise you’ll feel jet-lagged 24/7 and it sends you crazy. Daytime sleeps will seduce you but can be your worst enemy. Except on a Friday!
What are the big issues up here in Queensland that you’re looking forward to getting into?
First and foremost, the state’s recovery from the COVID-19 crisis. It will be the biggest issue in all of our lives for a while. The state election in October is fascinating. Annastacia Palaszczuk trying to win three straight – it would make her a legend of Australian politics. Very few prime ministers or premiers have done it and a woman has never done it. The other thing I am keen on exploring is the everyday life of the listener.
You’re a massive sports fan – where are your loyalties going to lie in a State of Origin match?
Ha ha, as if there’s another answer! Always, always Queensland. I’ve told you about Moses already too! We are so proud of him.
And how much have you been missing live sport?
I missed it dreadfully. I have watched everything there is to watch – The Last Dance about Michael Jordan, even that stupid Tiger King. I think Carole Baskin is dodgy.
Which Aussie journos do you admire?
My wife Lizzie, John Hartigan, Chris Mitchell, Hedley Thomas and Kate McClymont.
4BC Breakfast airs in Brisbane from 5.30am to 9.00am, Mon to Fri