Tree fern © 2004 Barbara Russell deVries 0417 371 233

Our People

Who?  Get To Know  Training

Introducing
Everyone at Yarra Valley FM 99.1 is a volunteer who is dedicated to serving the community, and not just presenting a weekly music program. We come from all walks of life - young and old, brave and shy, full-time employed and retired - and the variety of our weekly music program reflects this diversity of interests and tastes.

All of our presenters and technical support people are expected to contribute to the community in all facets of Yarra Valley FM 99.1 by assisting, for example, with fund-raising events, staffing our outdoor broadcasts (not presently available) and attending community events at which Yarra Valley FM 99.1 has a presence.

It's great fun being involved with community radio. Not only a wonderful experience, but if nothing else, a tremendous service to the community.

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Get To Know Yarra Valley FM
The best way to get to know our presenters is to listen to their programs. However, not everyone involved in Yarra Valley FM wants to be on-air. So, many of our dedicated team would like to introduce themselves and share a little about who they are in a short profile. Click the links, and enjoy!

Our Presenters

Stan Andrew Geoff Adams  Khushi Anand 
Jock Blair Neil Bull Rod Bradey
Simone Annabelle Cannon Greg Carrick
Mark Collard Alan Collier Sue Cornelius
Peter Cornish Sue Cornish Mim Elsworth
Graeme Godkin Mel Gowing Billy Heppell
Robert Jordan Barry Kotze Mark Lane
Elaine McCarthy Barry Murnane David Oaten
Cindy Parrett Graeme Peers Malcolm Potter
Glenda Riddell Marcella Sharp Chris Street
Tom Tully Terry Ware Rob Williams
     

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Khushi, presenter with Yarra Valley FM 99.1 Khushi Anand
9am-1pm Tue
Hmm, life in the Yarra Valley is great. I love music - performing, dancing to, listening to - and have returned to radio presenting (I used to work at 4ZZZ in Brisbane, 1984) after life as a film animator, many years working in the area of women's health and well-being, home-educating my son and running a vineyard. My other interests include being immersed in nature, horse-riding, rollerblading, movies and books. I enjoy supporting local music especially and would love to receive demos from performers out there who are wanting radio play.
Stan Andrew, presenter with Yarra Valley FM 99.1 Stan Andrew
12-3pm Wed (alt)
Stan was introduced to VYV many years ago by Jacey, and was later convinced to become a presenter in 2003. He enjoys most types of music (except heavy metal) and takes pleasure in bringing a wide variety to his listeners. Stan is a member of the RSL, ex National Service & CMF and is a paid life member of RAACA. He takes an interest in old cars, antiques, bush-walking, camping, fishing, gold-prospecting and Australian history, and considers himself a "conservationist" (a whiter shade of pale).
Geoff Adams, presenter with Yarra Valley FM 99.1 Geoff Adams
9pm-12am Wed & 9am-12mid Sat
Geoff was introduced to radio when a friend Colin Lawrence invited him as a guest on his show in 2001 - the rest is history. Geoff is interested in discoveries in cosmology, electronics, hi-fi, collecting records and restoring valve radios. Geoff works as a surface-mount technician in electronics assembly.
  Jock Blair
3-5pm Mon (alt),
7-9pm Mon (alt)
Started listening to community radio in the 70s to avoid the commercials! Picked up a passion for blues music listening to a local station in Bega NSW, and later became a blues music presenter and station co-ordinator. Jock claims to be no expert, but joined YVFM in 2001 when he moved to the Yarra Valley to keep blues music alive and well on community radio.
  Rod Bradey
7-9pm Wed
Rod started at YVFM in the summer quarter 2005, after watching his mate Graeme Godkin enjoy his time on air. He is dead keen on country music and could think of nothing better than visiting Austin, Texas to immerse himself in the music at Billy-Bobs for two weeks. Married with five kids, he is now a very happy “empty-nester”, and loves to indulge in a game of golf or racquetball from time to time.
Neil Bull, presenter with Yarra Valley FM Neil Bull
10am-12mid Sun
Neil lives locally and has a passion for radio and likes most kinds of music. An ex bass player he hopes he wasn’t responsible for inventing grunge. Neil was a roadie for Lobby Lloyd and now enjoys producing music videos. Neil has worked and travelled many parts of the globe and loves the Yarra Valley. He emphasises the fact that your only here for a short time and to release the zany person trapped inside and enjoy your life.
  Simone
9-11pm Wed &
12mid-3pm Sat
Simone began at the station in February 2010. Music is her passion and she is interested in all genres. She can’t choose just one as her favourite! Over the years she has been fortunate enough to meet many of her music idols and enjoyed heaps of concerts along the way (first one at age seven!) A music trivia buff, Simone loves to regale you with her knowledge & learn new facts too. She loves to perform whether it be singing or dancing. Aside from music, Simone enjoys the outdoors, spending time with her horse & her family.
  Annabelle Cannon
3-5pm Sat
When Annabelle first appeared on YVFM, she was a part of our popular 'School's In" program. Now she has her own show! She loves music and "barbeque shapes". Annabelle is only in Year 7, but wants to become a journalist, so really has to ace her English exams. She loves to talk, and would write more here, but she's run out of time....
Greg Carrick, presenter for Yarra Valley FM 99.1 Greg Carrick
9pm-12amThu
Greg still thinks he's a teenager, despite the lack of hair, and loves things that spark up energy and excitement. He has worked with young people in many roles over the years, and loves the way you can develop and grow no matter how old you are. His passions include visual arts and photography, armchair car racing, and potato chips. Describing himself as a post-modern hippy, he likes to combine the sixties protest ethos with today's freedom of expression. Favourite quote: "God is an artist, you are a work of art".
Alan Collier, presenter with Yarra Valley FM 99.1 Alan Collier
6-8pm Sun (alternate)
Alan started with YVFM in mid 2008. He has always had a passion for radio. Two of his children gave him an announcer’s course for Christmas and the rest, as they say, is history. Alan’s hobbies include Set Building for the 1812 Theatre in Ferntree Gully, miniature live steam trains and Community work. He also collects old telephones and has recently started taking part in Fun Runs up to about 7kms , which he completes in about 45-50 mins depending on the terrain. Alan is married and has 4 adult children, and has just completed his 2nd term as the President of his Rotary Club.
Mark Collard, presenter on Yarra Valley FM 99.1 Mark Collard
Webmaster
On air during 2002-06, lists watching movies, candlelight dinners and romantic walks along the beach as his favourite pastimes. Has been hit by lightning twice, camped on the lawns of Parliament House Canberra for 3 nights and can't back up a towed-trailer to save his life! Loves to have fun, laugh and listen to great upbeat music. Passionate about his acting and voice work, Mark's purpose in life is to inspire and empower others. Happily looks after the YVFM web. Check his website for more details www.markcollard.com
  Sue Cornelius
6-9am Thu
Sue started at YVFM 3 years ago after watching her husband Dennis spend so much time at the station. A self-confessed “baby-boomer”, Sue has a passion for painting, having exhibited once at the Lilydale Show and won 1st prize as a Novice. Early in 2005, Sue broke her first bone (ankle) at the same time as spraining her other ankle! She believes there’s more to life than meets the eye, suggesting that there is a higher power in our lives.

Sue Cornelius (as a baby), presenter for YVFM 99.1

Peter Cornish, presenter with Yarra Valley FM 99.1 Peter Cornish
6-9am Mon
Pete joined YVFM in October 2006. He started in the off-air role of Vice Chairperson of the station as a community representative from Upper Yarra Rotary. A few months later in a moment of madness, he volunteered to train new presenters, despite having no experience as a presenter himself. While preparing to teach his first unsuspecting batch of trainees, he was thrown in the deep end behind the microphone, and has loved every moment of it since. Pete’s interests include IT, telecommunications, beekeeping and hobby farming. His passions are his wife Sue, son Jack and girlfriend Monika.
Sue Cornish, presenter with Yarra Valley FM 99.1 Sue Cornish
News Reader
Sue started as YVFM’s local news reader in December 2007. Sue’s passion is horses. Her home is geared up to support her horse habit - 2 horses sharing 18 acres of horse paddocks (so they don’t get hungry), a full size dressage arena, cars banned from the garage so there’s room to store the horse feed, and a bed-head covered in riding competition ribbons. Sue also occasionally appears as “Monika”, Yarra Valley FM’s fashion editor. The photo to the left is Monika in the liposuction tent at the Melbourne Cup. To listen to Monika go to http://radio.bigblog.com.au
Mim Elsworth, presenter with Yarra Valley FM 99.1 Mim Elsworth
9am-12noon Mon
3-5pm Fri &
8pm-12am Sun
 
Merylin, affectionately known as "Mim," started out as a radio presenter on YVFM in 2006. Mim soon took on the job of Schools Co-ordinator and preparing Community Service Announcements for air. Mother of two daughters and a dear little grad-daughter Azy, Mim loves dancing, playing piano and guitar, and recently took up flying lessons. Her programs are 'Lovin You' and 'Eventide.'
Graeme Godkin, presenter with Yarra Valley FM 99.1 Graeme Godkin
5-7pm Tue
Graeme's first taste of community radio was with Edge FM in Bega, NSW. He joined YVFM in 2001, and just loves his country drive-time music program. He wishes he had a 36 hour day so that he can do all the things he loves, such as fishing, driving, boating, caravanning, camping, prospecting, writing songs, reading, playing guitar and two-stepping to country music. He's now ready to put his feet up in retirement, with the love of his life, his wife Glenys.
Mel Gowing, presenter with Yarra Valley FM 99.1 Mel Gowing
3-5pm Tue
As an active member of his community, Mel hit the airwaves for the first time in 2000. The love of his life is Jesus Christ and his childhood sweetheart, Valerie, whom he married a couple of years ago, and their family. He loves flying small planes, recently flying over the Yarra Valley in a 1957 Piper. He’s interested in old mines, all styles of music, loves cooking good food and wines, and will always greet you with a wide smile.
Jacey Hall, presenter with Yarra Valley FM 99.1 Jacey Hall
3-5 Mon
(alternate)
Jacey was the inaugural Chairperson for YVFM (then VYV) in the early 1990's. Her programs over the years have included The Shire Show, A Dating Program, School Programs, Health Shows and Listen to Older Voices. YVFM is a sincere interest for Jacey, but her love for her family and friends radiates warmth and happiness. Her husband Giovanni highlights her life; laughter and love completes a marvellous lifestyle - she considers herself very lucky!
  Billy Heppell
7-9pm Fri
Billy started at YVFM in 1992, and has loved presenting the weekly Friday night sports program. He has been a trainer of athletics for 10 years before he moved up to the farm. He supports the "Kangas" and the Gembrook footy clubs. Simply put, he loves all sport!
Rob Jordan, presenter with Yarra Valley FM 99.1 Robert Jordan
7-9pm Mon (alt),
12-3pm Wed &
9am-12mid Fri
Robert started with YVFM in 2007 and has loved every minute of it. A self-confessed walking music encyclopedia (a junior Glenn A Baker!), Robert once worked as a "roadie" for a blues band, and now this genre makes up a large part of his HUGE music collection (think - thousands of albums). He's travelled the world, and especially loved Europe and Disneyland. Next to his passion for music is his passion for the Collingwood football club - but we don't hold that against him.
Barry Kotze, presenter with Yarra Valley FM 99.1 Barry Kotze
3-6pm Sun
Barry has had a long career in community radio starting back in the early 80's with 3CR preparing and reading local news for a few years. He was also one of a team of comedy enthusiasts who tried to get "Laugh Radio" a permanent broadcasting FM license in Melbourne. He loves the comedy of Bill Cosby, Bob Newhart, Abbott & Costello right up to new wave comedians such as Steven Wright, Jerry Seinfeld  and Ellen De Generes.  Barry  also loves his music, especially Top 40 from the 50's right through to today. Away from the microphone he has an interest in community TV (C31), motor racing, AFL football and cricket.
  Mark Lane
7-9pm Tue
Mark is very passionate about his music. Indeed, he prefers to use this space to highlight the music and the incredibly gifted and talented artists who bring us such joy, rather than himself! Mark has been lucky enough to interview Joe Walsh (Eagles), Nigel Olsson (Elton John band), Ian Hunter (Mott the Hoople), Mike Rudd (Spectrum), Phil Manning (Chain), Andrew Gold (Linda Ronstadt) and legendary radio rock journalist Billy Pinnel. The "Wow 'n Flutter Show" - his hobby, his passion - that's Mark!
Elaine McCarthy, presenter with Yarra Valley FM 99.1 Elaine McCarthy
9am-12noon Wed
Elaine admits she is blessed with a wonderful life. She started with YVFM in 2000 and has loved every minute of her music, interviews and community info sharing. Elaine credits her training & experience with Toast-masters as helping her speaking skills, as well as serving other areas of the community in which she is active. Elaine loves her family (5 children & 10 grand-children), arts & crafts and lately, watching her husband replace her with another "old girl" - a 1937 Oldsmobile car.
Barry Murnane, presenter with Yarra Valley FM 99.1 Barry Murnane
1-3pm Tue
Barry is one of the new kids on the block, starting in Summer 04. He enjoys playing golf and boasts a low 12 handicap - not good enough for professional, yet! Barry's goal is to sing and play guitar at the same time. He has a band called the 'Barry Murnane All Stars', and when its music is good enough to release, he will play it on YVFM. He loves playing music because it sounds good to him.
David Oaten, presenter with Yarra Valley FM 99.1 David Oaten
12noon-3pm Sat
Dave enjoys spending time with his kids, socialising with friends and chasing anything on rails! He collects history of radio 3KZ and other stations, as well as collecting music, esp rare vinyl records which he plays on his program regularly. Noted for playing the bagpipes on ABC's "Countdown" TV program for John Farnham's "You're the Voice".
Cindy Parret, , presenter with Yarra Valley FM 99.1 (as drawn by Robert Thompson) Cindy Parrett
6-9am Tue &
12mid-2pm Wed
Cindy started her breakfast show on YVFM in 2001. Beyond radio, she is a singer, teacher and artist. By her own admission, Cindy talks very loud, laughs a lot and burns the candle at both ends. She loves to take long walks in the forest & beach, camping and anything to do with nature. She sometimes plays the characters of "Cindy Floura Mindy" (a wannabe fairy) on Sunday's Children's show.
Graeme Peers, presenter with Yarra Valley FM 99.1 (as drawn by Robert Thompson) Graeme Peers
6-9am Fri
Graeme stands alongside Jacey Hall as one of the two remaining founding members of YVFM. Likes to dabble in a little train-spotting, having been into model trains since he was a little fellow. He tackles the task of YVFM's "outdoor broadcasts" with aplomb, and nominates the classic steam-train trip through the Blue Mountains as his lifetime ambition.
Mal Potter, presenter with Yarra Valley FM 99.1 Malcolm Potter
9am-1pm Thu
Mal has been presenting programs on community radio since 1988 when he joined Southern FM. He did a short stint with 3MDR in the early 90s. Now with YVFM, Mal has enjoyed early morning, drive-time and late evening programs over the years covering a wide variety of musical styles from hard rock to light pop.
Glenda Riddell, presenter with Yarra Valley FM 99.1 Glenda Riddell
7-9am Sun

A real ‘Baby Boomer’ from way back, Glenda was enticed “on-air” after she saw just how much fun her other half (Mark) was having as a presenter. She really, really loves variety in life, bringing a good sprinkling of contemporary Christian music to the air-waves, the colours of the rainbow, blue skies & fluffy clouds. Glenda loves co-hosting with Mark, playing lots of golden oldies, encouraging & uplifting music, poems and readings. She adds “Being on-air has been an awesome experience .... why not give it a try!”

Marcella Sharp
9-10am Sun

Marcella has presented the Children’s Program for 8 years now, working in close liaison with the Magical Teddies who send their lovely songs and stories down to children from the Rainbow. Marcella would love to fly like the Teddies. Has tried hot air ballooning in South Africa and gliding in the Yarra Valley. So watch out, you may see Marcella up there with the Teddies one day! Check out the Magical Teddies website www.magicalteddies.com.au.

 
  Chris Street
12-3pm Sun
Chris' love affair with music of the 50s & 60s started when he "played" a guitar with country music singer Smokey Dawson at "Mawson's Academy of Music" in the 1950s. Chris even had his own "make believe" radio station - 3CA Carnegie! He is especially partial to tunes sung by blondes, brunettes and the occasional redhead! When he's not working on his chicken farm (he has worked the land most of his life), Chris enjoys a day out scuba diving. In the meantime, he dreams of retirement.
  Tom Tully
9pm-12mid Tue
(alternate)
Tom joined YVFM in 2002, but has been presenting his "Mad Cow Comedy" program on-air for 10 years. He is married to Ruby and has a 2-year old daughter called Angel. He is passionate about rally cars and has been driving them for the last 12 years in both Australia and overseas.
Terry Ware, presenter with Yarra Valley FM 99.1 Terry Ware
12mid-3pm Sun
(alternate)

 
An old air-guitarist from way back (actually, it was a cricket bat in Terry's case), he recalls the thrill of the first time he heard Bill Haley's "Rock around the Clock" on the radio. Often found trawling through garage sales and speciality shops for that elusive vinyl memory. Shares a love of the 50s & 60s with his wife, the "Kool Kitten". His adrenalin positively flows when a track or obscure singer/band is played on the radio.
Rob Williams, presenter with Yarra Valley FM 99.1 Rob Williams
5-7pm Fri
Rob is happily married with two kids. He has had a passion for radio since he was a boy; "Growing up in the country there wasn’t' much else to do except listen to the radio.  I love presenting and would love to be able to do it full time."  Rob has a quirky sense of humour which is reflected in the way he presents his show.  His wide-ranging musical tastes include classics, jazz and easy listening. Program play lists from his Friday Drive show and the weekly recipe can be found here:  http://rob-williams.blogspot.com/search/label/Radio.
     

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Presenter Training
Think you would like to be on radio too? Then participate in one of our presenter training courses.

You will learn the basics of broadcast law, station policies, voice production and program presentation. The course consists of 5 weekly classroom sessions on Friday evenings of 1 hour to 1.5 hours duration . In addition, there are up to 6 “on air” practical sessions of 2 to 3 hours duration with an experienced presenter.

Each of your broadcasts will be taped, and one of these will be presented to our Programming Committee who will assess your suitability to present a program in the forthcoming quarter.

Cost: $66, inc GST

Enquiries: Register your interest with Peter Cornish, Training Coordinator ph 0409 859 936 or email info@yarravalleyfm.com him.
 

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