Don Ashby

Mallacoota would not be the same without the outstanding skills and almost boundless energy of Don Ashby. If it needs lights, props and sound Don will oblige.

His 3MGB story starts well before 2000, but this is where the recorded narrative begins.

2000: October - Don joined Geoff Coles to share presenting That's All Folk on a rostered basis.

2001: July to September - Don took over the Wednesday Breakfast spot when Ken Cooper's poor health forced him to vacate that chair.

2001: September - Poor health, this time that of Geoff Coles, resulted in Don looking after That's All Folk on a solo basis.

2001: November - Don left That's All Folk to concentrate on his new evening program Music Without Borders.

2001: December - Music Without Borders finished its brief run.

2003: July - Don returned with a one hour show - Orbitsville.

2004: March - Orbitsville ended its run.

2006: April - Orbitsville returns.

2006: May - New Kids On The Block(NKOTB) and Sibling Of NKOTB return. (?)

2011: Don continues as our Youth Coordinator, with New Kids On The Block, Sunshine Girls, Sugar Hitz all involving P-12 College students during and after School hours.

He also has been looking after our AMRAP responsibilities.

Mick Bartholomew

From a commercial radio and journalist background, Mick was the presenter and host of the very popular Licorice Allsports show in the 90's. Previous shows included Radio For The Cerebrally Challenged.

He contents himself with an occasional Beauty Unrecognised and fills in on the Saturday Scrambled Eggs Brekky Show.

On our behalf he produces a Holiday Rag publication as a fundraiser. He always welcomes articles for inclusion.

Mick's most recent fundraising venture was to flog apples from a friend's orchard. Produced a tidy sum.

Rata Berry

Rata has been with 3MGB since the start, as an active presenter, School liaison person, presenter representative, fundraiser and committee member.

2011: September - Rata has been dealing with health issues for most of the year which involved being away for long periods. She decided to not stand for re-election as Vice-President and has suspended her involvement with 3MGB until well enough.

Sharnee Billerwell

Sharnee came to 3MGB in late 2009, to present a series of programs as part of her VCE English studies. She has continued her involvement presenting her music show Deja Vu.

Kathi Blomer

2011: Kathi joined 3MGB in April 2010, and presents her weekly program Eclectic Lady Land. She also is a key member of the Kaleidoscope roster.

Dot Bruce

Dot is one of our longest serving presenters and is currently looking after Heard It On The Grapevine, Mondays at 10am.

A regular feature of her program is a replay of "Talking To Council", interviews with local government officers produced by Radio East Gippsland, 3REG Lakes Entrance.

Angus Buchanan

After many years away from Mallacoota, Angus returned and subsequently started his weekly program Music To Move You in July 2009. Outside of 3MGB he is co-producer of the successful Open Mic afternoons at Lucy's Noodle Bar. In early 2011 he had a starring role in the locally-produced Mash: The Musical.

Sue Chapman

Sue Chapman is another of 3MGB's long-time presenters, blessed with one of the best radio voices around. She is equally at home with Classical music, Rock, C'n'W, Jazz and Comedy.

Sue is co-Programme Manager (with Sue Williamson) and, as such, covers selflessly for absentees when needed.

She is on the Sisters Of Soul and Light Classics rosters.

Betty Coles

Betty was involved in the original application (1988) for our licence, and is a longtime supporter of 3MGB. She re-joined the on air line-up in January '00 as a member of the Light Classics roster.

2011: Betty continues with Light Classics and also the Kaleidoscope roster.

Geoff Coles

Geoff is another 3MGB stalwart who can trace his involvement back to the earliest test transmissions.

The records show:

1999: April - Geoff took a brief break to recover from the rigours of a busy Easter period.

1999: July - Replaced Jacquie Wilson on the Music Gallery roster.

2000: October - Don Ashby began sharing That's All Folk on a rostered basis.

2000: December - Geoff finished his stint on the Music Gallery roster.

2001: November - Another spell of ill-health forced Geoff off air, at the same time Don Ashby finished sharing the That's All Folk chair.

2002: March - Geoff was able to resume That's All Folk. The show had been forced into recess during the early months of 2002 as we were unable to find replacement presenters.

2002: November - Geoff was elected to the Committee at the AGM, having been seconded some months earlier.

2003: April - Geoff took over as President when Christine Liedtke resigned.

2011: No details exist for the intervening years, but Geoff continues as a presenter of his weekly Folkways program, and is a member of the From The Concert Hall and Light Classics rosters.

Ken Cooper

Ken is a hard-working, popular presenter who has been producing great programs since 1991. He has trained many people throughout the years, and has often volunteered his services on Christmas Day for a local special.

Our written records start in 2000.

2000: April - After a period of poor health when Ken could only fill in for other presenters, he was able to take up regular duties as a member of the Wednesday Breakfast roster. By November of that year, Ken was covering this breakfast spot on his own.

2000: December - Ken added Rock'n'Country to his busy 3MGB week.

2001: Winter - Poor health forced Ken to give up temporarily his Wednesday Breakfast spot.

2002: January - Poor health again forced Ken off air.

2002: April - Ken returned to the air waves with Rock'n'Country in a new time slot.

2003: May - Ken joined the Monday Breakfast roster.

2004: February - Ken introduced All Australian Country, a program designed to fill a gap in our line-up.

2004: May - Ken finished his spell on the Monday Breakfast roster to attend to his other programs.

2004: July - Ken introduced AMRAP Hour to feature the wide range of music made possible by AMRAP.

Sometime after that, with the arrival of co-presenter Carol Nelson, Rock'n'Country became Blast From The Past.

2011: Co-presenters have come and gone, but Ken soldiers on with Blast From The Past and has added another - Something Different.

2011: May - Along with a handful of other presenters, Ken notched up 20 years with 3MGB.

2011: July - 2012 Ken teamed up with Leanne Phillips to present All Mixed Up.

Michael and June Drake

Michael is a very active presenter of longstanding. Over recent years In Your Company has been a labour of love, with Michael sometimes making early-morning departures from Melbourne in order to present his afternoon shows. He finds time to be a member of the From The Concert Hall, Monday Breakfast and Light Classics rosters.

Michael served as President for several years in the last decade, and was instrumental in setting up our joint venture with Mallacoota Arts Council - Croajingalong Centre For The Arts and Communication [3CA].

Behind the scenes is wife June who assists in the studio with some of Michael's programs, and who gives support energetically in our fundraising and social events

The Drakes have hosted many enjoyable 3MGB functions over the years.

Warwick Driscoll

Amongst his many skills and achievements Warwick is a semi-professional DJ who has provided pleasure for many people at various functions in town. Arriving in Mallacoota in 2008 he was finally enticed into 3MGB in early 2011, and stands in for Leo Op Den Brouw on Friday Lunchbox when Gabo Island duty calls, and for Margaret Stevenson on Genoa Gold when the wanderlust whisks her away westward. [Sorry - couldn't resist]

2011: August - Warwick donated his services for a highly successful Music Trivia Night this month.

2012: February - Warwick calls his Friday lunchtime program Famous By Friday. Creativity with names must run in the family - the Driscoll family chose Fairway To Heaven as the name of their gourmet restaurant at the Golf Club.

Dr DJ

In May 2009 Dr DJ answered a call for help from presenter Tim Frazer, who wanted a break. He's been attending to our needs since then with his weekly evening program SOS.

Richard Fisher

Richard joined 3MGB in 2006, is a very active presenter, and has proved to be a particularly effective interviewer.

Some of his past shows were Oz Jazz Plus, I Got Rhythm, and Slim's Selection.

2009: In August Richard started his interviewing career with a well-received program called Mallacoota Past and Future, where, week about, local identities related past experiences in Mallacoota and district or discussed their aspirations for life in the area.

2010: Building on his success with Mallacoota Past and Future, Richard began a popular series of regular interview shows with community members, called Chatting With The Locals.

One of the first series featured a frank chat with 2 fellow prostate cancer sufferers. This was subsequently broadcast nationally over the Community Radio Network. Late in the year he took on Friday Breakfast, having deputised for Mervyn Kimm several times previously.

2011: Chatting With The Locals continued. Fortnightly Dr Sara Renwick-Lau contributed to his program, educating listeners on health matters. The segment was called Medically Speaking.

2012: Richard has proved invaluable as a caretaker for various programs including Hey! It's Monday. Richard currently hosts Friday Breakfast and in October resumed his popular programs Chatting With The Locals and Medically Speaking.

Tim Frazer

Tim grew up in Mallacoota and was a long-serving member of the Saturday Nite Party roster until he left town in late 2000 for overseas adventures. He returned in 2005 and later revived Saturday Nite Party. Since 2011 he has presented KBT, an early evening show on Tuesdays.

2012: In mid-2012 Tim took leave of his program to travel.

Maurie Geer

Maurie Geer is one of our specialist classical music presenters. After some cajoling he finally joined us in March 2008, and enjoys presenting excellent informative programs. He is currently on the From The Concert Hall roster.

Russell Grabert

Russell, a keen jazz fan, started presenting in December 2007, with Smooth Grooves. Russell is our current President, succeeding Michael Beedle in 2010; and fills the role of Sponsorship Manager. Also he is the main 3MGB representative on the 3CA (Joint Venture) committee.

With all this he continues to find the time for his weekly Smooth Grooves show, and also shares the Uptown Sunday Morning roster with Mike Webb and Mark Keating.

Joycelyn Grunden

Joycelyn is a member of another 3MGB family. Married to John, Joycelyn's work and community commitments limit her 3MGB activities.

2001: Joycelyn found time to be a regular guest on her sister-in-law Sue Williamson's program Sue's Selection. Joy's presence on Sue's Selection had become so established that later that year it only seemed fair to rename the show Sue and Joy's Selection.

2004: February - Sue Williamson took a break to attend to family matters and Sue and Joy's Selection went into recess.

2004: May - Joycelyn joined Sue Williamson on the Sisters Of Soul roster.

2011: Still going strong!

Laurie Hamilton

Laurie joined 3MGB in 2002, and has presented his Wednesday breakfast show This And That since then - without fail. Laurie served on the Committe and was Vice-President for a year or two.

Amongst his many activities in the community, Laurie is a volunteer Ambulance Officer.

Derek Henderson

Derek has been with us for many many years and has been a reliable stalwart, filling in on various programs when presenters needed a break. For the last 3 years or so he has presented Hey! It's Monday (weekly, of course). One of his hobbies is woodcarving. He is pictured here with a sample of his fine work.

In May 2012 Derek retired from broadcasting due to ill-health.

Greg Hopkins

Greg commenced with 3MGB in March 2011. He is an early riser so presents Early Morning With Greg, and since the retirement of Greg Cyster in May 2011 added Tuesday Brekky to his portfolio. In July 2012 he relinquished Tuesday morning but can still be heard on Saturdays.

Greta Jessup

Greta has been with 3MGB for many years, as a presenter and a willing participant in fundraising activities.

Her story from 2001 on --

2001: June - Greta moved from fortnightly appearances on Music Gallery, a show which she developed, to sharing presenting duties on Pot-pourri with Maree Webb. Greta called her version of the show Easy Listening.

2003: June - Greta made her final Monday Breakfast appearance.

2003: October - Greta took a brief break from radio, with Maree Webb covering most of Greta's scheduled Easy Listening programs.

2003: December -Easy Listening became Brunch.

2006: April - Greta returns to regular presenting as a member of the From The Concert Hall roster.

2011: Greta has been a member of the Kaleidoscope roster in recent years.

Mark Keating

Mark, another keen jazz fan and musician, joined 3MGB committee as Sponsorship Manager in 2008. Establishment of a new home took him away from us for a couple of years, but in mid-2011 he agreed to represent us on the 3CA Joint Venture (New Studio project).

2011: November - Mark has become a presenter and joined the Uptown Sunday Morning roster with Russell Grabert and Mike Webb.

Mervyn Kimm

Mervyn first went on air in 2002, soon after arriving in Mallacoota. He has been presenting his Friday breakfast show Waterfront since then, with short breaks away. He served a term or two on the Committee in the early years.

Christine Liedtke

Christine's time with 3MGB started much earlier than the year 1998, but that's when this history begins - as Sponsorship Manager.

She served as President from November 2000 until April 2003, having taken over from Ken Vatcher. During much of that period she managed to squeeze in Thursday 'Far East Brekky Show','Kinda Country' Friday Lunchbox, Saturday Nite Party and took her turn on the 'Monday Breakfast Show' roster.

2011: Christine continues to present Far East Brekky Show

James Mason

James has been associated with 3MGB for many years, as a presenter, and has at times served as Program Manager, Station Manager and committee member.

He chooses to leave town for extended periods, to pursue other interests around the country, but always offers his skills to 3MGB on his return. This history starts in 2000.

2000: June - After a substantial gap James rejoined 3MGB team, becoming a committee member in November of that year. James is now looking after the Tuesday Lunchbox (aka Golden Oldies Lunchbox) as well as Thursday Drive.

2001: May - James added the innovative Coota Cook Up to his busy 3MGB schedule.

2001: October - Coota Cook Up ran out of steam or more specifically guest presenters, James finding it difficult to support the program single-handed. [Pity, because it was good listening].

2001: December - James took over as Programming Manager and at the same time relinquished his Thursday Drive spot.

2002: January - Commenced Bubble and Squeak (a breakfast show) - later handed over to Laurie Hamilton for a time; also Oz Country.

2002: September - James left town to further his thespian ambitions.

2003: September - We began to hear James again, filling in for others.

History restarts in 2011.

2011: June - September 2012 James returned to 3MGB after many years working around the country, including a lot of time in community radio stations.

He featured in a recent local production "Mash: The Musical" as Father Mulcahy

James readily jumped in and took over shows as presenters left. During this time, James at various times presented Monday Breakfast, Tuesday Breakfast, Monday Fun Day and Scrambled Eggs Brekky Show.

We don't know if the pressure got too much for James but in September 2012 the grass looked greener on the other side of the country and James left Mallacoota and 3MGB to take up a role as gardener/maintenance man at Kununurra Hospital in Western Australia.

Wally Mazurek

Wally joined us in June 2010, having recently settled here. In July he began his popular Easy Listening show, nicely filling Saturday afternoons for our listeners.

2010: July - Wally assumed the role of Assistant Technical Coordinator responsible mainly for things that need backing up and rebooting.

2010: November - Wally frequently partners Ken Cooper on his Wednesday morning show Blast From The Past.

2012: June - Wally can now also be heard on Monday Breakfast.

Leo Op Den Brouw

2011: July - Leo was involved with 3MGB in the very early days, and can recall broadcasting from the green bus - but that's another story. Recently he renewed his acquaintance with 3MGB, and when he is not looking after Gabo Island he presents a weekly Friday Lunchbox.

Belinda Phillips

Belinda is our current Secretary and a supreme organiser. Her first appearance on 3MGB was with Susie Vatcher in August 2007 on The Healthy Living Show. Belinda took on the show after a few weeks. In April 2008 she commenced her own music show Groove Train.

2012: April - Belinda has taken Groove Trainout of service and now presents Scrambled Eggs Brekky Show week about.

Gail Rands

Gail joined the 3MGB team in mid 2003, at first covering Daddy's Love for David Jeffery for a short time. By mid 2006 she was on the Sisters Of Soul roster, where she remains to this day.

2011: November - Gail commenced Let Your Light Shine, a Christian music show.

Michael Rayner

2011: June - Michael joined 3MGB in October 2008 and hit the ground running presenting an early Monday morning show Mike on Mic and, after a long period of filling in for Ken Vatcher on the high-cholesterol Saturday Scrambled Eggs Brekky Show, presented that show as well.

2011: September - Michael joined the 3MGB Committee.

2012: April - Michael has taken leave from 3MGB to pursue other interests.

John Roy

John was a long-serving member of our committee and a past Vice-President but outside commitments forced his resignation in November 2000. He kindly allowed 3MGB to use his home as the setting for its Classical Candlelight Concerts at which John's baritone voice could be heard.

2011: John is currently a member of both the From The Concert Hall and the Light Classics rosters.

Margaret Stevenson

Margaret is one of our Genoa contingent and has served 3MGB and the Genoa community for many years. She was our President for 2 or 3 years, resigning ahead of a long-planned extensive wander around Australia in 2000.

Since then she has settled on presenting Genoa Gold for about 8 months of the year, and travelling the other 4 months.

Chris Turvey

Chris has had a long and active association with 3MGB. Part of our Genoa contingent, work commitments restrict Chris to her rostered appearances on Sisters Of Soul

Maree Webb

2000: September - Maree joined the Light Classics roster having gone on air for the first time the previous month.

2000: November - Maree introduced her own program Pot-pourri.

2003: December - Pot-pourri became Brunch. Maree re-joined the Light Classics roster for a time.

After a year or so Brunch was replaced by Wednesday Lunchbox, which Maree still (2011) presents on a roster with Sue Williamson. In 2007 Maree took over responsibility for Radio Waves. Subsequently she was invited onto the Committee to handle Presenter and Programming matters.

Mike Webb

1997: - Mike was asked to join 3MGB as assistant to the then Technical Coordinator, Greg Cyster.

1999: October - Joined the Committee as Treasurer (at the insistence of June Drake).

2001: July - Mike made his first on-air appearance, presenting Genoa Gold, covering for Margaret Stevenson who was away travelling through to September.

2002: April - Mike took over Uptown Sunday Morning while Sheila Day took a break and continued sharing the show on a rostered basis after Sheila returned.

2002: November - He stood down as Treasurer after three years, as well as ceasing to be a Committee Member. However Mike became our Technical Coordinator.

2010: July - Mike put his hand up for another term as Treasurer on the retirement of Ray Davey, as well as continuing as Technical Coordinator

2011: July - Still presenting Uptown Sunday Morning, sharing with Russell Grabert since the passing of Sheila Day in 2009.

Sue Williamson

Sue (Susie) Williamson is co-Programme Manager with Sue Chapman. She moved to Mallacoota in the mid-1990's and took on the job in November 2000. The recorded history begins ...

2000: December - Sue's Selection began.

2001: July/September - Susie provided support to James Mason with Coota Cook Up

2001: December - Joycelyn Grunden's presence on Sue's Selection had become so established that it only seemed fair to rename the show Sue and Joy's Selection

2001: December - Susie resigned as Programme Manager, handing over to James Mason.

2002: January - Susie was co-opted onto the Committee. At the same time she took over the Wednesday breakfast spot with her Eagles Nest Brekky Show.

2002: February - Susie took on the role of Sponsorship Manager.

2002: August - New presenter Mervyn Kimm took over the Friday Breakfast spot finally allowing Sue to concentrate on Sue and Joy's Selection, her one remaining program.

2004: February - Susie took a break to attend to family matters and Sue and Joy's Selection went into recess.

2004: March - Susie returned, joining the Sisters Of Soul where she remain to this day (2011).

2011 - At some stage since 2004 Susie carried the roles of both Sponsorship Manager and Programme Manager. Still with plenty of good music to play, Susie shares with Maree Webb the Wednesday Lunchbox roster.