Having been an avid listener to the music broadcasts of the ABC in my early years, and later, while overseas, the BBC’s Third Program, I often felt how satisfying it would be to be able to prepare and present similar programs myself.

And while the opportunity to do so never came during what turned out to be a rather varied career, both here and overseas, when, in retirement, some twenty five years ago, I was asked to consider preparing and presenting programs for 5MBS FM, I didn’t hesitate doing so.

Apart from early piano studies, in Brisbane and later in Sydney at the State Conservatorium of Music, most of my later career moves involved music making to some degree. First of all, after moving to England, while working for the London Borough of Lambeth, being its music librarian for part of my time there.  Then much later, after my return to Australia, while on the staff of the Music Board of the Australia Council for some ten years, assisting in the administration of the Board’s artistic decisions. And finally, after taking up the challenge of managing The State Opera of South Australia, becoming involved in both the choice of repertoire and artists to be engaged. All along, of course, being able to attend concerts and other musical events taking place wherever I happened to be.

Allied with my own wide ranging musical interests, I felt that much of that past experience would put me in good stead, as well as also being able to draw on the station’s own considerable resources, including the level of experienced professional advice on offer.

While for a number of years I also presented Jazz programs, and was on the Opera Team, nowadays, apart from the occasional Charivari, my programming is mainly classical.