Magic Mics: Behind the scenes with radio’s power players
We reveal Brisbane’s top talking heads, what other radio announcers they listen to, what drives them and what they do to unwind. SEE THE LIST
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They are familiar voices on our radios, keeping us company on the drive or commute to and from work or while finishing off a spot of housework.
Here’s a list of our top nine radio legends — their background, what they like to do on the weekends and what they listen to when their mics are turned off.
TOP FIVE GALS
Susie O’Neill Nova 106.9 Breakfast
Audiences were reinspired by Susie O’Neill’s recent return to the pool at the World Aquatic Masters Championships in Japan when she broke the world record in true Madame Butterfly style.
She was joined by co-hosts on the sidelines Bradnam and Luttsy.
This Olympian has followed in the path of many others and created a life in the media after her formal retirement from sport.
She is the co-host of reputable Nova breakfast radio after winning 10 of 13 radio surveys.
O’Neill remains a keynote speaker in the sports industry and was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in 2018.
Fans love our golden girl for mentoring young women, for her down-to-earth manner, and for her accidental radio success story.
Robin Bailey KIIS 97.3 Breakfast
We have shared the dating woes of Robyn Bailey and cried alongside her after the tragic loss of first life partner Tony and the death of her second husband after a battle with cancer.
Yet it is her dedication to on-air radio, her nose for defying counterparts’ expectations and her fighting spirit which keeps on keeping on despite obstacles that sets this lass apart.
Bailey was axed from 97.3 and jumped ship to Triple M, but was reinstated with her own producer in an attempt to boost ratings.
She has not looked back, wooing audiences with her tales of visiting her boys on the back end of their Europe tour and often tackling sensitive topics.
Loretta Ryan ABC radio breakfast
ABC radio breakfast host Loretta Ryan has captured the hearts of her morning audience with her down-to-earth manner.
The radio veteran celebrated 40 years in radio recently and in that time has covered news and presenting.
Brisbanites have woken up to her voice on many programs across the ABC Brisbane network.
Ryan has also worked as a journalist for television and in diverse roles form promotions to production.
The gung-ho radio gal also spent 17 years at Triple M where she co-hosted ‘Blood, Sweat and Tears’ and worked on both AM and FM digital airwaves.
Is there anything she can’t do?
She grew up in Nundah and is a favourite aunt to her nieces and nephews.
Sofie Formica 4BC Radio afternoon host
Showstopper Sofie Formica hits the airwaves on 4BC from 12-3pm with a mix of news, opinions and fun.
The former television lifestyle presenter of The Great South East focuses on people and businesses which are the backbone of our community.
Fairly new to radio, debuting in 2021, her personable nature has secured her a place in a cut-throat business.
After being lured back to home turf from Sydney, she’s proved she’s not going anywhere soon.
Abby Coleman B105 Breakfast radio
The first season of The Mole launched Coleman’s career and thrust her into the spotlight.
She later leveraged off presenting gigs on Couch Potato, The Hot30 Countdown and weather on Weekend Today.
Coleman moved to Brisbane to host the B105 breakfast show, which she has successfully helmed for more than a decade with a robust sense of humour.
The comedian shares all the ins and outs of being a mother of three and is a highly sought-after event host. Watch this space.
TOP FOUR GENTS
David ‘Luttsy’ Lutteral Nova 106.9 Breakfast radio
Move over tiger and make room for a much-loved radio personality.
Luttsy turned a love of sport into TV hosting roles before becoming part of the number-one rating breakfast radio program in the River City.
Along the way he has won multiple radio surveys.
A man of many talents, he has even served on the board of the Queensland Academy of Sport, done some on-field MC-ing and has Commonwealth and Olympic Games events hosting under his belt.
Tune in to the podcast host from 6am to 9am on weekdays.
Greg ‘Marto’ Martin Triple M Breakfast radio
What’s not to love about Marto?
The long-time legend radio presenter has worked at Triple M for more than two decades.
The former breakfast host first hit the soundwaves with Dean Miller and Sam Power.
He kept the banter going long after they left the studio and is now part of the furniture.
One claim to fame was hosting a Brisbane-led rugby charity match which raised half a million dollars for earthquake victims in Christchurch in 2011.
He recently recorded a four-part podcast series sharing his personal cancer battle.
We now love listening to his comic antics with Mardeaux and Dan.
Steve Austin ABC Brisbane Drive host
Pegged as a person who dislikes authority on a school report card, that personality trait has enabled Austin to ask the hard-hitting questions in a long radio career.
He has worked in many roles from a researcher on the 7.30 Report to producing Stateline.
He has earned his stripes in news, sport, music and entertainment.
Born to a working-class family in Richmond, Victoria, the married radio host has a daughter and lives in the Gold Coast hinterland.
A love of motorbikes and music are frequent conversational fillers.
Craig Zonca ABC Radio breakfast host
Country boy Zonca likes to tell the story about how his tough-as-boots Dad insisted he keep working on a fencing job despite breaking his toes.
So waking up early to start the working day is nothing new for the 612 breakfast show host, who shares the mic with Loretta Ryan.
And like everyone from farm backgrounds, he just loves talknihg about the weather — so much so he presents weather on ABC television on weekends.
Zonca enjoys playing music with friends in his downtime but the real love of his life is Jessica Hinchliffe, whom he wed in his Rockhampton hometown.
Life could have turned out much different for the engineering student until he stumbled on the joys of radio hosting.
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