Picture: Elly Varrenti
Show: The Lowdown, 8:45am-9am every weekday morning
Technically I joined MainFM at the beginning of 2023 but had done some fill-in presenting a few times already and been a guest on a couple of shows in the last few years.
I am still doing several of the same things that I did before volunteering at MainFM but a fair bit less of it these days given my family carer responsibilities have increased considerably in the last couple of years. I am a freelance writer, arts, broadcaster (ABC RADIO) and book & theatre reviewer. As a voice artist/ narrator I work sometimes for SBS & ABC telly and for other more indie projects. I also to do presenting, MCing, officiating, interviewing and moderation work. I was a casual academic (University & TAFE) teaching creative writing for 10 years. But most relevantly, I was drawn to volunteering at MainFM because having now been a local for 13 years I feel I have something to offer. Radio is my first love. The place where I feel most at home. Still.
I do a 15–20-minute segment called Lowdown which is a sort of audio community notice board or what’s on. Most weeks I try and find a volunteer from the ‘outside world ‘to co-present. And sometimes the segment also includes a longer interview with this volunteer focussing on their work, their passions, and life within our local community. It’s great having invariably keen, sometimes nervous, but generous new voices in the mix. I would love a few more cultural and ethnically diverse voices , but we do live in a predominantly white /Anglo joint so not so easy to find. That said there is in our town an extraordinary array of fascinating people who impress and surprise. I’d like to eventually make a different sort of program, time permitting, and do have a few ideas in mind that I reckon might fill some current gaps in MainFM’s otherwise fantastic and varied programming.
That even though I have worked in radio in various capacities for over 20 years on and off, I still have plenty to learn. And that I have maintained such curiosity and love for the medium. I work as a volunteer like the rest of us so even given the precariousness and insecurity of my financial life, I am very happy to put passion before bucks.
I enjoy and admire The Quiet Carriage for the presenter’s radio – friendly voice and evident preparation and attention to detail. Companiable and smart radio.
Overall, community radio is an essential medium for fostering a strong sense of community, encouraging active citizenship, and promoting a democratic and inclusive media environment.
I continue to enjoy and appreciate both the gentle and patient help of the bloke who continues to work the bells and whistles for me on the other side of the mic. I also love it when a novice-presenter-volunteer leaves the studio after one of our pre-records chuffed and keen to return.
I don’t use social media anymore. Although my website includes some MainFM stuff.
I reckon MainFM is ace! Unique. I am so impressed with their continuing support of me and of others and the over all dedication to making better and better community radio that is one of the best I have ever heard or worked on.