Ken
November 5, 1941 - September 19, 2023
Presenter, Life Member & Technical Guru
1998 - 2023
Ken joined Albany Community Radio, as it was then, in 1998 bringing with him his background in commercial radio and television. He was passionate about community radio and never lost that sense of community.
Over the years Ken was involved in many volunteer roles including Presenter, Program Manager, Trainer of new Presenters, and holding positions on various Committees including Chairman of the Management Committee for many years.
Ken was also our Technical person looking after our complex equipment at the Station and up at the mast on Mt Clarence.
Ken was a qualified baker and that was an advantage when he had to get up early to present an early program - most recently Breakfast
6am-9am every Tuesday.
Ken was well respected and friends to everyone. He was always willing to give his colleagues a hand.
On 19 August 2021, after 23 years with GSFM, we presented Ken with his Life Membership and dedicated our studio 2 now named “The Ken Ewers-Verge Studio” - a lasting legacy.
Ken will be remembered for his huge commitment, dedication, humour and love of Community Radio.
Dawson
7 April 1934 - June 27, 2023
Presenter, Supporter & Life Member
Dawson, a long standing member of Albany Community Radio (now trading as Great Southern FM) passed away on 27th June 2023.
A funeral service held on Monday 10th July at Amity Rose, celebrant Ken Ewers-Verge, was attended by a large number of family and friends, members of the R.S.L. and the Masons. This was followed by a committal at Allambie cemetery with four members of the Light Horse in attendance.
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Dawson joined Albany Community Radio in its infancy. With his wife Dorothy, he presented a Wednesday afternoon program called “Memories with the Moores” His familiar selection of ‘Old Fashioned’ music was much loved by his many dedicated listeners. Dawson also hosted the ‘R.S.L.’ hour once a month on a Sunday with Digger Cleak. They interviewed a wide variety of Forces personnel with many interesting anecdotes.
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Dawson was a friendly, always cheerful and respectful colleague, whether he was attending a meeting, cutting up onions for a fundraising barbeque or fetching and carrying equipment for an Outside Broadcast.
Above all, Dawson was a gentleman.
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We, at Great Southern FM have been honoured to have had Dawson and Dorothy supporting our Community Radio Station for more than 25 years.
Raylee
August 13, 1942 - January 3, 2023
Presenter
2015 - 2022
Raylee came into the station in February 2015 to sign up as a member and a Presenter. From the moment we met her, Raylee came across as very friendly and someone who was passionate about her music. By May 2015, Raylee took over the Sunday morning show and it became her own.
Raylee featured music from the 1940’s to the 1980’s and loved ‘old time dancing’ music, reflecting her love of ballroom dancing.
Always the Roster Coordinator’s friend, Raylee was happy to fill in blank spots in the week’s programming, even while presenting her own programs, three times a week. Her love of music always came across to her listeners and she was proud to tell everyone that she received lots of compliments especially from her friends at the country music club.
So organised was Raylee, that she had a huge number of ‘ready to play’ programs, and Eric recently told us that over the years Raylee had amassed a collection of around 600 CDs.
Having Raylee in the station made you feel good; she was always ready to chat with her friendly smile and a good sense of humour.
Everyone at Great Southern FM who knew Raylee will remember her with great affection as will her many listeners