A great face for radio

So I have climbed the Harbour Bridge, I’ve been on Jet boats around the harbour, I’ve posed naked for all and sundry to see, but my latest adventure seemed to scare the pants off me more than any of those did.

Those who say drag queens are just men in dresses WOO HOO would be an understatement. Granted, you have probably 30 percent of the equation correct, but there is a lot more to making a good living, especially in the arts. (I know I’m not the only one that loves it in the art).

You’ll find those showgirls regularly working are constantly striving for something new or developing their talents to provide a better show for their audiences.

Keen to have as many fingers in pies or feathers in my cap as possible, I have recently completed a course in presentation and announcing at AFTRS – Australian Film, Television and Radio School.

So why was I scared? For someone who hadn’t studied for over 14 years, the thought of sitting in a lecture room and taking notes rattled my apple cart. I knew that when I came to practical I would be able to shine, but the quizzes, exams and even taking notes had this old girl in a spin.

I’ve been told I have a face for radio many times so with this under my belt and a secret interest in announcing I set on my regular trips to North Ryde.

I was met by the head lecturer, Byron. His strong, commanding voice led us all through the ins and outs of a radio station. Byron even courageously smiled as I entered the room, as a pretty lady most nights, racing from lecture to stage -“ a girl still has to eat.

With the room filled with a healthy mix of ages and radio experience, I soon got into the swing of things, jotting down bits and pieces, not sure if they actually made sense until I was hands on in the radio studio.

With studio time filled with, OOPS, SHIT and Can I do that again, most nights ended in a good old laugh, as we fumbled our amateur hands across the station control panel.

I look back and laugh about how worked up I actually got. Taking yourself out of your comfort zone is hard enough, but to raise your hand and say you would like to learn something new is a huge leap.

I have been at my mother for years to try and learn how to email. As an old country woman who claims to be scared of escalators, one can only image the small personal issues someone of her age must have to deal with to learn something new.

I’m glad I pulled my finger out and went ahead with the course, unlike many of my classmates, I usually only listen to the radio when I’m in the shower, but who knows, one day I could be in a shower with you.