A
morning with 3AW’s Ross Stephenson
& John Burns
by
Greg Miller & Phil Rosier
It
all began at the EMJFC’s Night of Knights on Saturday 19 June when Andrew Hayne
of Marshall White open up bids for a lucky winner to bid for the experience of
a life time……your choice to sit in on one of 3AW’s top rating programs.
Bidding
began furiously as anyone who knows radio knows how much fun any one of these
top rating programs are. From the breakfast team of Ross & John, to the morning program with
Neil Mitchell, to the afternoon program with Denis Walter, Drive with Derryn
Hinch, Sports Today with Gerard Healy & Dwayne Russell, & Nightline
with Bruce & Phil.
For
me, my choice was always going to be Australia’s highest rating radio program,
the Breakfast Show with Ross & John. These guys are like my daily fix……my day just isn’t the same without
waking to the voices of these 2 chaps.
With
utter disregard for now having to explain to my wife Robyn that I’ve just paid
$1k for the privilege, panic was starting to set in. “How am I going to explain this to the BOSS?”, I asked
myself as the sweat beaded across my forehead.
Fortunately
for me, my good friend from the U9
Blues, Phil Rosier, approached me after the bidding had concluded to express
his congratulations yet disappointment of missing out. Unlike myself, Phil was in the company
of his very sensible wife Melissa who obviously kept things real for Phil
(unlike myself who was flying solo on the night & was clearly not thinking
of the consequence of blowing a grand without consultation with Robyn (thanks
must go to Kate Gilbert for reminding me of this as she collected my hard
earned cash).
With
Phil looking like a sad puppy, it now became a no brainer…..Phil & I would
split the cost & go together. The date was now set for Wednesday 28 July & Phil & I would meet
our tour guide for the occasion, 3AW’s Sales Director, David Hoyle.
At
25mins past the hour (I’m getting into radio speak now), David greeted Phil
& I in the foyer of 3AW’s studio which is now situated in The Age’s new building opposite Southern
Cross Railway Station.
We
arrived to hear the voice of the Herald
Sun’s Jon Anderson, not realising Jon was broadcasting from the Herald Sun (might have something to do
with 3AW being located in The Age’s
building I suspect). With the news
being read by 3AW Newsreader David Armstrong, Phil, David & I were greeted
unexpectedly by Ross Stephenson in the kitchen who had made a quick dash for a well
earned coffee. Following in hot
pursuit was John Burns who to was clearly in need a quick coffee fix.
David
then took Phil & I on a little tour of the 3AW news room where we meet the
team. The new building is just
lovely but what really surprised both Phil & I was the size of the team
that puts the program together. Perhaps you wrongly assume things in your mind but the breakfast team is
not a huge outfit given its enormous success….more a lean & highly
efficient team of extraordinarily talented people who clearly love what they
do. Afterall, how could you not if
starting work at 4am every morning as the news team do?
For
me, the highlight was standing next to David Armstrong as he read the 7 o’clock
news. It was an out of body
experience standing next to the man whose vocals I listen to every morning at
home. Listening to David
Armstrong’s voice is like listening to Mozart……a beautiful voice which is just
such a natural gift…….he also reads great news.
With the Rumour File now in full swing,
the small but highly effective production team jumped into action following up
leads generated by the segment.
Next to venture into the studio was Sly of the Underworld who was
accompanied by Wale Omotoso, a highly
talented Nigerian boxer who now calls Australia home. Sly was attempting to help Wale secure some sponsorship in
his quest to one day became World Champion without getting caught up in the
ugly side of boxing management. Listening to Wales story was truly amazing & makes you realise just how
lucky we are to live in such a wonderful country like Australia.
With the 8:30am news bulletin fast approaching, our
morning with the Breakfast team was coming to an end. We said our goodbyes & managed to squeeze in a photo
with Ross & David Armstrong.
Both Phil & I then left the 3AW studio with a
smile on our faces that would put the Luna Park entry to shame. Special thanks must go to 3AW’s David
Hoyle for arranging the tour & for being such a gracious &
accommodating tour guide. Can’t
wait for the next Night of Knights when the prize is re-auctioned…..anyone want
to go halves????
Last Modified on 03/08/2010 11:43
