What I See with Peter Fiorenza: Radio legends reunite to share larrikin tales and halcyon memories

“A man is judged by the company he keeps.” This is a quote often attributed to famous US President Abraham Lincoln but was actually coined by William J. H. Boetcker. According to Wikipedia, Boetcker was an American religious leader and influential public speaker who was born in Germany in 1873. I don’t really know the story behind the quote, but I just thought I’d use it as in introduction to this week’s column. As you would gather, people fascinate me. From culture to their minds, athletic ability and simply their disposition, it is indeed the person that creates a unique narrative. Yes, the world is a wonderful place, filled with fantastic, remarkable and diverse natural attributes, but I reckon it is the person that puts spice into life. I know there are negative by-products and fallouts, but I for one could not live happily without interaction with others. And this brings me to a dinner gathering I was invited to the other evening. Through my radio pursuits, I have had the privilege of meeting some exceptional individuals. Well-known radio announcer from yesteryear George Manning was in town. At least twice a year, George swings through Geraldton with his caravan, either heading north to Broome for the winter, or south to Perth for the summer months. In recent times, George has become a regular on my Sunday morning program and we have become good mates. So, throw in Warren Kalajzich, Vic McCabe and Ron Hayward, and Grant Woodhams for good measure, and you have a cross-section of local radio talent from the 1960s through to the 1990s. From the moment these men shook hands, the dinner conversation never stopped. Most of them had been part of the halcyon days of Radio 6GE, which was an institution for decades. Although not all together at the same time, their stories showed that being a larrikin in the radio industry was a prerequisite. And many of the stories were, ironically, off-air. There were many that had me in stitches, but one Vic told stood out and emphasised what it was like during those heady days. According to Vic, in the 1960s the station would go off-air about 3pm and return later at 5pm. It was just enough time to head down to the Shepheard’s Hotel for a lemonade in between. One afternoon, Vic was so engrossed in conversation he let time slip by, suddenly realising he was due back on air. “Bloody hell, is that the time!” He raced back in his vehicle, looking to park right outside the front door, only he forgot about the pole. Bang! The assistant manager, hearing the commotion outside, quickly opened the door to find Vic sitting in the car a little worse for wear. “You OK Vic,” he asked, watching him rub his head. “I think I might have a bit of concussion, but I’ll be alright.” Vic jumped out and went straight inside, into the studio and on-air, with listeners being none the wiser. The bent pole remained for some 40 years out front of 6GE.