LIST: Meet the legends behind the mic of Queensland’s radio stations
They share news, pop culture and killer tunes – meet more than 30 of the legends behind the mic in commercial and community radio stations across Queensland, find out what makes them tick.
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They are the voice in your ear when you drop the chrilden to school, drive to and from work or go searching for some light entertainment.
Radio stations are the voice of the community, keeping people informed about weather, traffic, current affairs and pop culture.
While most of us have our go-to station, it is not too often we dive into the lives of the people behind the microphone.
Well-renowned journalists, talented musos, local legends, hilarious comedians, rock ‘n’ roll fans and lovers of their small town – there’s definitely more than meets the ear.
Here’s our list of Queensland’s radio legends from the Whitsundays to Toowoomba.
MORE COVERAGE: Brisbane’s radio wars
BRISBANE
Stewart ‘Stav’ Davidson, Abby Coleman and Matty Acton - B105 Brisbane
Hitting the Brisbane airways on weekday mornings, Stewart ‘Stav’ Davidson, Abby Coleman and Matty Acton make up the morning breakfast trio “Stav, Abby & Matt” on B105, Brisbane’s top rated breakfast show.
Born in Glasgow, Stewart ‘Stav’ Davidson has worked at B105 for more than 17 years, in addition to his work as a co-host of Couch Time and performing stand-up comedy.
A Susuzuki Queensland ambassador, Davidson has nearly 15k Instagram followers and made headlines in 2017 after speaking out on B105 about his previous addiction to methamphetamine when he first started his career in radio in the early 2000s.
A runner up on season one of reality game show The Mole in 2000, Abby Coleman is originally from Adelaide and moved to Brisbane to host on B105 in 2011 following a career working as a presenter on Couch Potato and Weekend Today.
Coleman is an ambassador for domestic and family violence organisation Small Steps 4 Hannah and boasts her love her three sons and the Brisbane Lions on her Instagram page of 44k followers.
Starting out his career at SeaFM and KIIS FM, Matty Acton is the social media starlet of the three radio hosts, with more than 380k followers on TikTok for his comedic skit content, mainly imitating members of his family.
Acton recently raised a whopping $50k for mental health charity Top Blokes Foundation with B105, walking 50km from their Brisbane studio to Raceview Hotel in Ipswich while wearing a 10kg weighted vest to symbolise mental health.
Brisbane locals can hear the latest of what’s happening in Brisbane and the world with Stav, Abby & Matt on weekday mornings from 6am on 105.3FM.
Margaux Parker - Triple M Brisbane
A well-known media personality and the wife of ex-NRL player Corey Parker, Margaux Parker is one of the co-hosts of “Triple M’s Breakfast Show with Marto, Margaux and Dan”, hosted alongside Greg ‘Marto’ Martin and Dan Anstey.
Previously hosting Triple M’s Dead Set Legends on weekends before joining the breakfast team in 2019, Parker is a mother to four children and regularly posts about her day-to-day on her Instagram page where she has more than 23k followers, sharing images of her children and her attendance at major sporting events with husband Corey.
Rarely sharing sponsored content, Parker instead posts lifestyle and fashion content, posting photos from charity events for organisations like Small Steps 4 Hannah and A Brave Life.
Outside of her career talking to Brisbane about the latest in sport, current affairs and pop culture, Parker recently sold her Logan home for just shy of $3m.
Brisbane locals can tune in to The Breakfast Show with Marto, Margaux and Dan on weekday mornings from 5:30am on 104.5FM.
Ashley ‘Ash’ Bradnam, David ‘Luttsy’ Lutteral and Susie O’Neill - Nova 106.9
One of Brisbane’s top radio shows, Ashley ‘Ash’ Bradnam, David ‘Luttsy’ Lutteral and Susie O’Neill are the masterminds behind “Ash, Luttsy & Susie” on Brisbane’s Nova 106.9.
Bradnam and Luttsy were original hosts on Nova’s inaugural broadcast back in 2005 before the show was temporarily disbanded in 2009, launching the pair into some acting roles, both starring in comedy crime film Crooked Business and comedy DVD The Cadets USA.
Outside of radio, Lutterell has worked as an announcer and an MC at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games and the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.
Their co-host Susie O’Neill joined the show in 2016 following a career as a competitive swimmer, participating in eight Olympic games and winning two gold medals.
For her career in swimming, O’Neill has inducted into Sport Australia’s Hall of Fame in 2002 and was awarded on Order of Australia Medal in 2018 for her significant service to swimming at an elite level.
Tune in to the three talk about the latest in sports, international current affairs and Brisbane news on 106.9FM on weekday mornings from 6am.
HAVE WE MISSED YOUR FAVOURITE RADIO LEGEND? Comment below and tell us why they need a shout out.
WHITSUNDAYS
Tony Fossey – Gem FM
A Whitsundays local since the 1990s, Tony Fossey is the host of various musical programs on Bowen’s community radio Gem FM, as well as a professional musician with an incredible career spanning more than 50 years.
Growing up in Adelaide, Tony moved to Melbourne for the majority of his music career, playing and touring with singer Andy Upton, and covering keyboards and vocals with Mike Rudd, Bill Putt and Robbie Dillon in the band ‘Mike Rudd and The Heaters’ in the 1980s, later forming the bands Spectrum and Ariel.
Working with numerous Australian musicians and bands in his career as a keyboardist and vocalist, Tony joined the band ‘The Mackay Sound’ in the 1990s, playing alongside Skyhooks drummer Freddie Strauks and Uncanny X-Men singer Brian Mannix.
After moving to the Whitsundays in the 1990s, Tony travelled around Hamilton Island and Airlie Beach, and got his start in community radio on 89.1 Reef FM.
Currently, Tony hosts Bowen Gem FM’s ‘Decades of Music’ and ‘Classic Album Show’, covering classical, rock and pop music and sharing his favourite tunes from decades worth of first-hand music experience.
Whitsundays locals can listen to Tony on the Decades of Music segment on Mondays from 8pm or the Classic Album Show on Sundays from 8pm on 95.1FM.
PORT DOUGLAS
Paul Makin – Douglas FM / Fab FM Port Douglas Mossman
A well-renowned journalist and TV presenter, Paul Makin is the proclaimed ‘voice of the Douglas Shire’ as the host of ‘Makin & Eggs for Breakfast’ on Douglas FM and founder of radio station Fab FM.
With a career spanning more than 50 years, Paul started out as a cameraman for major broadcasting networks Seven, Nine and WIN in Wollongong, before becoming a senior newsroom reader at Radio 5KA in Adelaide.
While working at Radio 2UE in Sydney in the 1970s, Paul was the first reporter to arrive on the scene at the 1977 Granville Rail Disaster where he broadcasted to the nation for 48 hours straight.
Most Australians will recognise Paul from his career as a television presenter, working as a reporter at Channel 10 Adelaide before moving on to host Today Tonight on Channel 7 in both Sydney and Adelaide, making his final sign off on the news program in October 2018.
Through his work as a reporter, Paul has interviewed celebrities to the likes of Billy Joel, Erik Estrada, Ita Buttrose, Robie Porter, and Reba McEntire during her first Australian tour in 1998.
Paul also hosted the national game show $50,000 Letterbox in the 1980s.
Tying the knot with his partner Marion in 2019, Paul now resides in Port Douglas where he is involved in community theatre, starring as Bob the mechanic in Port Douglas Clink Theatre’s production of Priscilla Queen of the Desert in 2022.
On air, Paul shares local news, entertainment and information to the Douglas Shire, as well as promoting tourism and environmental protection.
Douglas Shire locals can listen to Makin & Eggs for Breakfast with Paul Makin from 7am on 101.5FM or 90.9FM.
Gary ‘Gazza’ McIlroy
A member of the three-man team at Douglas FM alongside Dave Barnett and station director Paul Makin, Gary ‘Gazza’ McIlroy is the host of Douglas FM’s afternoon segment ‘Gazzamataz’ after a 38-year-long career in broadcasting.
Starting out at a hospital radio station in South London at the age of 18, Gary worked in various community radio stations around Greater London before moving to New Zealand to work as a morning presenter on Plains 96.9FM in Christchurch.
Prior to moving to Port Douglas with his wife Allison in 2018, Gary worked at Innisfail’s 4KZ where he was hailed ‘The King of the Gazza-wary Coast’, covering news and hosting crazy challenges from Cairns to Townsville.
Experienced as an MC and stand-up comedian, Gary has hosted various Far North Queensland events, including the Feast of the Senses, Cardwell UFO Festival, Cassowary Coast Relay and the Guinness World Record win for the longest banana split.
Among locals, Garry is known for his social media segment, the ‘Gazza Challenge’, where he encourages members of the community to find him and complete a challenge for a prize, bringing attention to local businesses and events in the process.
Douglas Shire locals can listen to Gazzamataz with Gary McIlroy from 4pm on 101.5FM or 90.9FM.
TOWNSVILLE
Crystal Vas and Anthony Salame – Star 106.3 Townsville
Self described as “Townsville locals who have strong opinions but don’t take themselves too seriously”, Crystal Vas and Anthony Salame make up Star 106.3’s morning breakfast duo ‘Crystal & Anthony’.
Originally from South Australia, Crystal got her start in radio working with Adelaide’s Fresh 92.7 and presenting for Tamworth’s 92.9 in NSW, before settling down in Townsville in 2018, hosting breakfast on Townsville’s third most popular radio station.
Anthony on the other hand lived in Beirut, Lebanon through the 2010s as a co-host of Virgin Radio Morning Crew, while also working as a stand-up comedian, touring around the world in Canada, Singapore, Holland and New Zealand.
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Recently, Anthony challenged Crystal to try her hand at stand-up comedy, sharing his expertise in stand-up which saw Crystal take to the stage for Raw Comedy QLD at Molly Malones Irish Pub on Flinders St, Townsville.
Townsville locals can listen to the Crystal & Anthony show weekday mornings from 5:30am on 106.3FM.
Steve “Pricey” Price - Triple M
The man synonymous with Townsville, Steve ‘Pricey’ Price has been a staple on the airwaves in Townsville for four decades.
Known for his bright shirts, wild suits and big smile, Pricey will hang up the microphone for the last time on Christmas Day in 2023.
He moved to Townsville from Melbourne in 1982 and has been a shining light in the city ever since.
When he announced his retirement in May, Pricey said his role was a “real personal thing”, and was unlike any job.
“The experiences I’ve had in this city from a radio point of view are unbelievable … you go through all the gamuts of emotion,” he said.
“I’ve heard the new born baby cry of listeners who have taken the phone in, (and) I’ve said goodbye to people as they pass away.
“Everything from traffic to kids’ celebrations at school, right through to cyclones, and in radio, I’ve had the absolute blessing of doing it in real time, or as I call it, ‘the precious present’.”
While Pricey said he could have continued in radio forever, he said the death of his mother and a few close friends had shifted his perspective on work.
“I’m being a little selfish I guess, and just wanting some time with me and my girl to find Steve, to look at new adventures, which could be just as simple as smelling the frangipanis,” he said.
Sam “Archie” Arenson and Henry Bretz – Power 100
The brekkie boys of Townsville’s rock station Power 100, Sam “Archie” Arenson and Henry Bretz are the comedy duo behind the weekday breakfast show ‘Archie and Bretz’, describing themselves as “those mates from your childhood that you can’t seem to shake”.
Creating a range of skits and hilarious on-air content, the two radio announcers have completed endeavours like recreating the iconic Australian lamb ad with a Townsville-twist, and making a ‘great wall’ of stubby holders.
Archie studied at AFTRS and worked with Hit 95.7 and Triple M in Western Australia, as well as Fix Radio station in the UK since starting his radio career in 2017.
Hailing from Brisbane, Henry has worked with Brisbane’s 4BC, Nova 106.9 and ABC before becoming a breakfast co-host in August 2022 with Power 100 while also working as a stand-up comedian, appearing in shows at Molly’s Comedy Club.
On their breakfast segment, the funny pair hold $1000 rock music quiz competitions, bring attention and praise to schools and businesses, and discuss a range of topics like OnlyFans, footy, community news and pop culture.
You can tune into the Archie and Bretz breakfast show weekday mornings from 5:30am on 100.7FM.
Dodie Waugh – 4K1G
Originally from Cherbourg, but a Townsville local for 20 years, Dodie Waugh (or known by her nickname Dee-Vibez) is a night-time radio host on Townsville’s local Indigenous radio station 4K1G.
Co-host of the segment ‘Deadly by Dark’ alongside Eli Blackman, Dodie founded the live weekend broadcast with a goal of connecting youth by playing a range of R & B, hip-hop, rap and reggae music.
A proud Birri-Gubba/Mandandanji woman, Dodie joined Townsville’s leading Indigenous radio station in May 2020 with a passion that she describes as “to inspire and empower our youth of today through music”.
When she’s not broadcasting, Dodie edits music, spends time with her sons and cheers on her favourite NRL team, the North Queensland Cowboys.
Townsville locals can listen to Deadly by Dark with Dodie Waugh and Eli Blackman on 107.1FM.
MACKAY
Scott van der Linden – Star 101.9 Mackay
Host of weekday breakfasts with co-hosts Rachel Zonta and Kaley-Jade Baker, Scott van der Linden is a content director and radio announcer at Mackay’s Star 101.9 with a radio and journalism career spanning more than 28 years.
Starting out as an announcer on 5CS Port Pirie in South Australia, Linden has worked at radio stations all around the country, from Townsville to Orange in New South Wales.
Residing in Mackay, Linden also worked as the host of the Seven Local News Mackay segment ‘Street Talk’ for 15 years, interviewing people of the community that skyrocketed the career of Mackay social media sensation Georgia Knoll after she photobombed Linden’s segment at Caneland Central Shopping Centre, the funny interaction going viral online.
Featuring on ‘Scotty & Rach with Kaley’, the three hosts run competitions for listeners and deliver local news and fun, recently starting a new series ‘CRAPlympics’ where the radio announcers compete in minor sports like putt putt golf and lawn bowls at a range of small businesses and sporting facilities around Mackay.
When he’s not behind the microphone, Linden practices his hobby as a “self-proclaimed nerd” of astronomy and photography, sharing vivid images of the galaxy on his social media along with pictures of his two children, Harry and Charli.
Mackay locals can listen to Scotty & Rach with Kaley weekday mornings from 5am on 101.9FM.
Rob Kidd – 4MK Mackay
Formerly an announcer on Gladstone’s 4CC Central Queensland breakfast show, Rob Kidd is a presenter, MC, columnist, volunteer and Mackay local, most well known as the breakfast host on 4MK Mackay.
Moving from Sydney to Mackay in 1980, Rob has always called Mackay home, attending Mackay State High School before returning back to Sydney to study at Australian Film Television and Radio School (AFTRS).
With 27 years radio experience, Rob has worked at stations all around the country as an announcer, working at Triple M Melbourne, 4TO FM Townsville and 4BU Bundaberg, as well as working as an opinion columnist at Mackay’s Daily Mercury.
Truly passionate about his hometown, Rob hosts his breakfast show right out of Sydney St, Mackay, holding competitions and giving away prizes with fun conversations and sweet tunes in between.
A prominent figure in the community, Rob regularly volunteers for numerous organisations, including Meals on Wheels, RSPCA, Bravehearts, PCYC, Mackay Dragon Boat Club, Red Cross Blood Bank, Mackay Basketball and various other charities.
Mackay locals can listen to Breakfast with Rob Kidd weekday mornings from 5:00am on 1026 AM.
Jay Shipton and Dave Peters – Triple M Mackay
Working together for more than 12 years, Jay Shipton and Dave Peters make up the hilarious radio breakfast show duo ‘Jay and Dave’ on Triple M Mackay as well as Triple M Whitsundays.
Both Mackay locals, Jay and Dave are known for their silly segments and fun antics on the local radio network, whether they’re putting on wigs and acting out movie scenes in their ‘Theatrical Thursday’ segment or making judgments about people's anonymous submissions in ‘Judge Jay’ – the pair are sure to provide their listeners with a good chuckle.
With careers interviewing major celebrities to the likes of Jimmy Barnes, Margot Robbie and Rick Astley, the duo recently celebrated 2500 breakfast shows together, with the Mayor of Mackay, Greg Williamson, awarding them “keys to the city” to celebrate their broadcasting achievement.
In a 2021 interview, Jay and Dave said their success as the first male duo breakfast radio hosts in Mackay comes down to their undeniable “chemistry”, with major moments of their career including welcoming KISS to Mackay and Jay coming out as gay on air.
The pair continue to bring smiles to the community on their radio show, from sharing NRL tips to holding local competitions and giving away prizes to members of the public.
Mackay locals can listen to The Breakfast Show with Jay and Dave weekday mornings from 5:30am on 98.7FM.
GLADSTONE
Barry “Hammo” Hamilton – 4CC Central Queensland 927
Originally from Bowen in the Whitsundays’ region, Barry “Hammo” Hamilton is a radio announcer with 29 years experience, working at stations including Townsville’s Triple T and 4MK in Mackay before settling in at his current role as the breakfast host at Gladstone’s 4CC.
Before radio, Hammo worked in various hospitality venues around Bowen and Townsville, making a name for himself as a cocktail-making champion in the late 80s, winning competitions that landed him as a student at The Australian Bartenders Guild before he found his passion for radio in 1994.
With additional work as a corporate MC, Hammo has hosted hundreds of special events including the Townsville Cup, Rockhampton Cup, The Winton Outback Festival and Ingham Ladies Race Day.
As a breakfast radio host, Hammo raises awareness about local issues and gives back to the community, encouraging locals to donate plasma at LifeBlood Gladstone and runs competitions and giveaways in collaboration with local businesses an events like Harbour Festival and Agnes Water Blues Roots and Rock Festival.
Gladstone locals can listen to Breakfast with Hammo weekday mornings from 5am on 927 AM.
BUNDABERG
Tracey Sergiacomi and Matthew Ambrose – Hitz 93.9 Bundaberg
Hosting breakfasts together for the past six years, Tracey Sergiacomi and Matthew Ambrose make up the radio duo ‘Matty & Trace’ on Bundaberg’s Hitz 93.9.
A true local, Tracey has lived in Bundaberg for the past 27 years and began her radio journey as a receptionist at Hitz 93.9 in 2007 before being asked to do an on air gossip segment ‘Lady Blah Blah’ that led her to her current gig as a breakfast radio host.
Having studied at AFTRS and The University of Wollongong in NSW, Matthew was worked at radio stations in Victoria and across South Australia, before making the decision to move to ‘The Rum City’ in 2017.
Hitz 93.9 celebrated its 30th birthday in March this year, with Tracey stating her favourite parts of her job is giving away prizes and keeping locals up-to-date with Bundaberg news and events.
Matthew and Tracey continue to give away prizes in collaboration with businesses around Bundaberg, giving away boats and beds in addition to visiting schools and local businesses, from butchers to play centres.
Bundaberg locals can listen to Matty & Trace weekday mornings from 6am on 93.9FM.
Ellerina McPherson and Joe Baxter – Triple M Bundy
New additions to the Triple M Bundy team, Ellerina McPherson and Joe Baxter joined Bundaberg’s Triple M radio station in February this year to make up the hilarious morning program ‘The Breakfast Show with El and Joe’.
Before their move to Bundaberg, both Ellerina and Joe worked in radio, Ellerina having worked at the Gold Coast’s Juice 107.3FM and Joe, a Ballarat local, co-hosting his own conversational-style podcast, the ‘Joe and Adam Show’.
Since their first appearance on air eight weeks ago, the pair have hosted a spelling bee competition ‘Can You Spell Better than El?’ for local children, as well as the ‘Best of Bundy’ competition, awarding the best in small businesses, for hair salons, gyms, steaks and coffees.
The duo also put a spotlight on talented local musicians in their Friyay Live segment, giving performers from their community an opportunity to showcase their skill live on air.
Ellerina and Joe’s joined Triple M Bundy’s morning news slot after Justin Bell and Julia Greenhalf from ‘JB and Jules’ announced they would be moving on, Justin moving to Cairns and Julia, to Melbourne.
Bundaberg locals can listen to El and Joe for Breakfast weekday mornings from 6am on 93.1FM.
SUNSHINE COAST
Mark Darin and Caroline Hutchinson – 92.7 Mix FM
Well loved in the community for their contribution to local charities and issues, Mark Darin and Caroline Hutchinson make up 92.7 Mix FM’s morning show ‘Mark and Caroline’, a duo that has been on air since their first broadcast together in 2004.
Featuring on the Sunshine Coast’s most popular radio station, Mark and Caroline have made a name for themselves for their entertaining morning segments, from Caroline’s ‘Is it just me?’ segment discussing topics from COVID-19 to political correctness and their $1,000 minute daily quiz show.
Mark studied civil engineering before dropping out to pursue a career in radio while also pursuing voice and theatre acting, appearing in Noosa Arts Theatre’s productions of David Williamson’s play Influence in 2011.
Caroline worked at various radio stations across the country before settling on the Sunshine Coast in the late 90s where she has continued work as a journalist, writing as a columnist in the Sunshine Coast Daily in the 2000s, and hosting her own podcast ‘Awkward Conversations’ where she chats with Aussie icons like Ian “Dicko” Dickson and Terri Irwin.
The pair have raised millions of dollars for local charities, notably breaking a record in 2017 for raising $403,682 for children’s paediatric services via the Give Me 5 for Kids appeal, donating over four million dollars since 2004 for Sunshine Coast children's health services.
Sunshine Coast locals can tune in to the Mark and Caroline breakfast show weekday mornings from 5am on 92.7FM.
Elly Chaney and Luke “Becks” Toohey – 91.9 Sea FM
Self-described as being “in an eternal struggle to prove who’s funnier”, Elly Chaney and Luke “Becks” Toohey make up the weekday afternoon show ‘Elly & Becks’ on the Sunshine Coast’s 91.9 Sea FM, keeping Sunny Coast locals entertained on the drive home.
Luke, known simply as ‘Becks’, is well known for hosting the national drive show segment ‘The Benchwarmers’ with Ant & Becks on SCA’s HIT stations, becoming the first regional show to crack one million listeners in a week.
After a successful run, Becks took a break from commercial radio and became the face of the beer Fosters in the UK, starring in numerous advertising campaigns alongside his childhood friend and actor Tom Oakley.
With experience at Seven Network, Nine Network, Fairfax Media and the ABC, Elly was an announcer at Nova 937 from her hometown of Perth before moving to the Sunshine Coast where she and Becks discuss how to flirt, have rap battles and live on $50 a week, sharing their stories on air to their listeners.
Since starting their show in 2020, Luke and Becks continue to hold competitions and prize giveaways with 91.9 Sea FM, recently giving away $10,000 from ten small businesses across their neighbourhood, giving away $1000 at each spot.
People keen to listen to the Elly & Becks show can find them on weekday afternoons from 3pm to 6pm on 91.9FM.
MORETON BAY
Craig Hewlett – Moreton Bay’s Own 101.5FM
A local legend in the community, Craig Hewlett is the president of Moreton Bays Own Radio Station 101.5FM, a radio station he has been involved with for more than 20 years.
Having been involved in the Caboolture community for more than 30 years as a businessman, volunteer and member of the community, Craig ran for Moreton Bay Regional Council in 2016 and is currently a member of the Regional Development Australia Moreton Bay committee, a not-for-profit organisation focusing on regional growth.
Previously working as a real estate agent and the president of the formour Caboolture CBD Traders and Retailers group, Craig has been vocal about the need to transform King St in Caboolture, acting as a voice for the street and suburb’s history and potential.
101.5FM broadcasts 24 hours a day, seven days a week, providing weather and traffic information as well as community news, directly told to you from passionate volunteers and Moreton Bay locals.
You can tune in to Craig Hewlett’s radio segments on 101.5FM.
Dr. Susan Gledhill and John Sayles – 99.7 Bridge FM
Covering all things art and entertainment, Dr. Susan Gledhill and John Sayles are the creative pair behind the ‘It Takes 2’ segment on Moreton Bay’s 99.7 Bridge FM, promoting plays, musical, cabarets and artists from the local community.
After completing an announcer course in April 2017, the pair were granted their own Sunday night radio slot in July 2017, which has become a segment where Suzy and Johnny interview local actors, directors and artists to bring attention to art in the Moreton Bay and northern Brisbane community.
With a successful career as a nurse, researcher and academic, Suzy was worked with organisations like Cancer Council Queensland, Kelvin Grove Brisbane and the Queensland Nursing Council, as well as being an academic and lecturer at Australian Catholic University and the University of the Sunshine Coast.
Johnny moved to North Brisbane in 2004 and has been involved in over 60 stage productions in his lifetime, in addition to featuring as an actor and extra in various films and television series, including Chronicles of Narnia: Voyage of the Dawn Treader, San Andreas and Secrets and Lies.
When they’re not speaking to local talent on their weekly radio show, the pair run the Sexual Health for Seniors with Dr Sue podcast, a series made for seniors about sexual health, desire and relationships, hosted by Suzy and produced by Johnny.
Moreton Bay locals can tune in to It Takes 2 with Suzy and Johnny on Sundays from 6pm to 10pm on 99.7FM.
LOGAN
Mike Bennett – Logan 101FM
A former cameraman and interviewer for ITV in the UK, Mike Bennett is the president of Logan’s most popular community radio network 101FM, which recently celebrated 35 years of uninterrupted broadcasting.
Host of ‘The Mike Bennett Morning Show’, Mike can be heard on air from nine to noon on Mondays, playing a mix of hits and classics, as well as interviewing special guests like singer Katie Noonan, actor Murray Shoring and guitar player Jose McLaughlin from ‘Gerry and the Pacemakers’.
Originally from Scotland and now enjoying what he calls “semi-retirement”, Mike offers his radio experience as a media consultant and trainer after over 30 years in the industry, with experience as a presenter and speedway reporter for several UK local radio stations.
After joining the 101FM team in late 2015, Mike became part of the management team as Vice President in 2018, before becoming the radio station’s president in 2021, a position he still holds today.
Operating from the former police station at 8 Railway Pde, Logan Central, 101FM radio station operates 24/7 and is run completely by volunteers.
Logan locals can listen to Mike Bennett by tuning in to 101.1FM.
Ted Thirkill – Logan 101FM
Having been a member of Logan 101FM since 1986, Ted Thirkhill has been a presenter on the Logan community radio station for 37 years, best known for his Sunday afternoon programming ‘Ted’s Memories’.
A volunteer presenter since 101FM’s first broadcast in 1988, Ted hosts his three-hour show on Sundays from noon to 3:00pm, playing music from the 50s and 60s with classic hits from his era.
In the early 2000s, Ted appeared on Channel Nine’s news program Extra, being interviewed for his work as a DJ for the long-running community radio station, stating that “my childhood ambition was one day to be a radio announcer”.
Ted is 101FM’s longest-serving presenter, having been involved with the station since it was established after a call out by Logan City Council for a community radio station, working with the station’s first on-air announcer and infamous Liberal Party member, David Jull.
101FM can be heard in the communities of Logan, Beenleigh and Beaudesert via the call sign 4CBL.
GOLD COAST
Paul “Galey” Gale and Emily Jade O’Keeffe - 102.9 Hot Tomato
Co-hosts of the Gold Coast’s top rated breakfast show, Paul “Galey” Gale and Emily Jade O’Keeffe are the dynamic duo behind 102.9 Hot Tomato’s hit morning show ‘Galey and Emily Jade’.
Both equipped with over 25 years radio experience, Galey and Emily Jade’s show focuses on 100% Gold Coast content, sharing local stories, holding competitions and updating the GC community on sports, news, and traffic every 15 minutes.
Starting her career in Tasmania, Emily Jade has worked as a Queensland correspondent for Mornings with Kerri Anne, a blog writer for The Courier Mail and has a side hustle as a verified Instagram influencer, sharing sponsored posts promoting beauty and family brands like Royal Caribbean Cruises, Time Zone and James Cosmetics.
Emily Jade also featured in multiple theatre productions at The Star, starring as Tanya in Mamma Mia in 2021 and Marion in Priscilla Queen of the Desert in 2022.
Originally from Melbourne, Galey joined Emily Jade on the hit breakfast show in 2017 after working at the Gold Coast’s Sea FM for 16 years, following a career working at radio stations around the country including Perth’s Triple M and Hobart’s Triple T.
Tune in to the Gold Coast’s number one breakfast show with Galey and Emily Jade on weekdays from 5am on 102.9FM.
Bianca Dye, Ben Hannant and Danny Lakey - Sea FM
Stars of the breakfast show which is produced by Australian model and media legend Chloe Maxwell - Bianca Dye, Ben Hannant and Danny Lakey are Sea FM’s weekday morning trio, making up the program ‘Bianca, Ben and Lakey’.
Describing their show as full of “laughs, reliability, and passion for the Coast”, the three make a perfect combination as three Gold Coast locals with a plethora of radio experience.
Growing up on the Goldy working as a lifeguard at Wet ‘n’ Wild and Sea World, Lakey returned to his hometown after 10 years when he joined Bianca and Ben’s breakfast show in July 2022 after previously running ‘The Danny Lake Show’ on Triple M nationally.
Hosting the national night show The Nitemix on Gold FM in the 90s, Bianca Dye has over 25 years experience working in radio, despite starting out as a Marilyn Monroe impersonator at the Paradise Centre in Surfers Paradise.
Interviewing names to the likes of Madonna, Pink, Tommy Lee, Nicole Kidman and more, Bianca has won multiple accolades including Best Radio Personality (Regional) in Australia, and uses her status as a well known radio personality to bring attention to important causes and organisations like RUOK?
One of eleven children, Ben Hannant or ‘Polar Bear’ is a former boxer and rugby league player, playing for multiple clubs including the Cowboys, Broncos, Roosters, Bulldogs and Queensland’s State of Origin team.
Born on the Gold Coast, Ben and his wife Emma now raise their eight children on the Goldy, regularly posting family pictures on his Instagram page.
Gold Coast locals can listen to Bianca, Ben and Lakey weekday mornings from 5am on 90.9 FM.
TOOWOOMBA
Lee Faulkner – Triple M Darling Downs
The voice of Toowoomba and the Darling Downs for the past 20 years, Lee Faulkner is Triple M Darling Downs’ breakfast radio host.
Born in NSW and a self-admitted Parramatta Eels fan, Lee has conducted over 5000 interviews in his grand career on radio, celebrating 4000 shows with Triple M in January 2021.
A true Toowoomba local, Lee interviews members of the community as well as celebrities, from business owners and actors from local theatre productions to world-renowned singers and national sports stars.
Lee also regularly works as an MC at a number of local events, including the Master Builders Awards, Business Excellence Awards and Carols by Candlelight.
Toowoomba locals can ‘get up with Lee’ on Triple M’s Darling Downs broadcast on 864 AM.
Tony Wigan – 102.7FM Toowoomba
Tony Wigan is a local legend known by many, recognised for being the host of ‘The Tony Wigan Show’ on 102.7FM, a community radio network broadcasting to the Darling Downs and Lockyer Valley.
With 30 years hospitality experience, Tony owned the cafe Rendezvous on Ruthven in the Toowoomba CBD before its closure in 2019, and has always been vocal about his love for his community, telling The Chronicle in 2019, “There are a lot of talented people in Toowoomba and we should be using them”.
Since beginning his radio career on Colour Radio 4LG in Longreach when he finished high school, Tony has worked with various radio stations across Queensland, including 4LM, 4WK Toowoomba and now 102.7FM where he uses his spot to interview local talent as well as notable figures including Toowoomba Mayor Paul Antonio and Leader of the Opposition Peter Dutton.
In addition to The Tony Wigan Show, 102.7FM offers listeners a range of segments, including spoken word shows, music programs, and news hours for the vision impaired and others without access to a newspaper.
Keen listeners can tune in to The Tony Wigan Show on Monday mornings from 6am and Thursday afternoons from 3pm.
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