Dave Barnett affectionately known as Barney is a professional broadcaster who spent nearly 30 years on-air in commercial radio including 18 of those years at 3MP in Melbourne where he was No 1 in his afternoon program, as well as doing the breakfast and drive programs during his time there.
Dave’s radio career started on 22 Nov 1971 at 2VM Moree, then to 3HA Hamilton, 3LK Horsham, 7HT Hobart, 5KA Adelaide, where we first met and then onto Melbourne’s 3MP in 1978. Deciding on a career change in the late 90’s, Dave attained his Real Estate Licence and opened his own Agency in Mornington Victoria, but after meeting his wife Christine, moved to Torquay, and worked for the Federal Government as a Quality Assessor until he retired in 2017. Dave and Christine moved to Cairns in 2020, and after visiting Port Douglas many times for holidays, decided to settle here in 2021. Christine is a nurse at Mossman Hospital and Barney jumped at the chance to be back on-air at Douglas FM. Barney told Newsport, “Community radio is like good old radio as it used to be before strict format programming and bean counters took over, so once again we can inform, entertain, and provide a real personalised service, bringing a voice for our local community and the thousands of visitors who come to our piece of paradise “he said.

Gary ‘Gazza’ McIlroy moved to Port Douglas with his wife Alison in 2018, where he joined FAB FM and entertained the shire with his radio show ‘Gazzamataz’. Previously, Gazza presented an afternoon radio show across NQ and built up a huge following. During this time, he hosted many FNQ events, including Feast of the Senses, the successful Banana Split World Record attempt, the Cardwell UFO Festival, Harvey Norman Kick Challenge and Cassowary Coast Relay for Life. Prior to coming to Queensland, Gazza was Morning Presenter and Producer on Plains FM 96.9 in Christchurch, NZ. Gazza’s radio career started in 1985 at the age of 18, on Radio St Helier, a hospital radio station in South London. Gary went on to work for other London broadcasters and for many years was was DJ’ing around London in pubs and clubs entertaining the punters with a wide selection of music from House to Rock and Roll, from Trance to Pop until he made the life changing decision to move to Australia. Gary like myself and Barney want to help make this the best community radio station in Oz “I look forward to being part of connecting the Community, it’s a great opportunity” said Gary. That’s us three with the gift of the gab, but hopefully in the not-too-distant future we’ll be joined by other volunteers on air.

Community support

There’s never been a more important time to support your community radio station and ongoing public support is required for survival. The positive effect of community radio is often overlooked; however, it can be a fantastic platform for culture and opinion and empower those who have a right to speak up, but don’t always feel confident in doing so. Why not become a volunteer? Community radio is built on the goodwill, strength and support of its volunteers and responsibilities can vary from presenting to administration or content production. Become a member, it is the opportunity for you to give back and show your support. Support the station’s social media pages such as Facebook and Instagram. Buy from the businesses who sponsor the station, their support is what keeps the station financially viable, and they deserve your support for doing this. Listen to your community radio station, become interactive and supply feedback. Learn the skills of the radio trade, it will open your mind to how the industry works and how you can become more directly involved.

The more people involved, the more sustainable it is long term. Become a sponsor, there are plenty of advantages in getting your business involved in community radio. Not only does affiliating with community radio put your company in a higher regard but it also multiplies your reach. Newsport was one of the first to put their hand up to become a sponsor and we thank Sam and Sarah for that support. Douglas FM like Newsport have the community at heart. That’s what we’re here for, to be a voice for everyone in our community. On Monday Federal Leichhardt MP Warren Entsch will officially open Douglas FM 101.5 on air at 9am alongside the station President Kym Rowley. Can’t wait.