Picture: Nancy with Ian Slattery (aka ‘Slatts’)
In 2013, Ian Slattery and I were interviewed by Jim Migdoll on his ‘Maldon Radio Show’. He decided to retire and asked Ian if he would like to take over the show. Ian asked me if I would be his co-host. I said “I would if he would” and he said he ‘would if I would”. So we started broadcasting on 20 September 2013. We were joined by two other presenters soon after, Ian Stevens and Mike Smythe. Mike came up with our show’s new title ‘In Maldon Today’.
Well it’s a long story, starting in 1960. I’ve been an art teacher at all levels from Prep to Tertiary in country and city schools, private and state, lectured in Art Education at Madang Teachers’ College (PNG) and Melbourne State College (now MU), worked as an Arts Policy Officer in the Rialto, then as an Extension Education Officer (EEO) responsible for professional development to all EEOs in subject associations and cultural institutions (such as the NGV, Zoo etc). Then, after retiring I ran the Maldon Visitor Information Centre (VIC), for 7 years, worked as an Editor at the Tarrangower Times, as well as organising fortnightly petanque games from 2003. Since retiring in 2007 I organised quarterly lectures for Maldon Focus for a few years, coordinated the Oz Day committee, was the Secretary of MGM (Maldon Golden Movies) for ten years, and the Maldon Courthouse Committee for 2 years. Oh, I almost forgot, I have been writing a monthly article for the Tarrangower Times about local artists since 2007.IMT Is my latest and most enjoyable gig.
In Maldon Today has a simple format, our team of 10 presenters provide Street Talk, based on our street walking habits for 30 minutes each side of an hour’s interview with people who are doing interesting things for the town. In addition we invite Maree Edwards to provide a political roundup about once a month. We have been doing this for ten years and we have done over 500 broadcasts, it would be many more if not for Covid restrictions. We are motivated by weekly planning meetings in Berryman’s Back Room every Tuesday, when so much mayhem ensues we wish we had recorded it for the Friday shows.
We have learned so much from each other, as we come from very diverse backgrounds and we have an amazing collective knowledge of how Maldon operates from every point of view. There are over 80 voluntary organisations to seek guests from, including regulars like the organisers of the Twilight Dinner, the Easter Fair, the Folk Festival and so on. And then there are other people who are doing amazing things. We even had a guest who once worked for ASIO.
We admire our fellow presenters tenacity in the face of illness, pandemic, technical hitches, the weather, and in particular the instant help we get from Steve Charman when something goes haywire.
Community Radio means we hope we are keeping our community informed about the good things that are happening locally, far away from the woes of the wider world.
There are so many. Interviews with fascinating guests who provide us and our listeners with a whole new perspective on life in Maldon. Too many to list here.
IMT has two Facebook pages, and I have been putting our shows on Mixcloud since we learned about how to from fellow Maldonian and Jazz Life Presenter Ken Turnbull. Check out https://www.mixcloud.com/nancymay007/
Preparation is vital for a successful show, hence our weekly team meetings.