I was reading about the retirement of two much-loved radio hosts the other day. I began thinking about whether they are classed as celebrities or just good community citizens who have used their profile to help others.
From there, I started thinking about politicians, as well. There are some good ones on the Coast, rather than some who get around like rock stars, forgetting why they were actually elected.
The same goes for radio stars. Are they stars or just good people? I remember Geoff Malcolm back in the day, who was a pioneer on commercial radio. He rounded out his career at the ABC and ended up working with Cam Young and the late, great John Stokes – three people who did huge things for the community via their profile.
Roll through a decade or two and we have the retirement of Caroline Hutchinson, who, along with Mark Darin, brought a whole new level of using their position and profile to help make this community a much better place.
Of course, there are plenty of others, like Ash Gierke, who go above and beyond as well. Then there are others who think they are above the rest of us…
Enough of my wonderings. What I am actually writing about is the joint retirement or change of pace for Todd and Sami, who are finishing up their afternoon drive show on Friday, August 22.
As I said, there are radio hosts who love themselves versus radio hosts who love their community, and these two are certainly in the latter bracket. What an awesome job they have done on two local radio stations. They have been consistently good at what they do and have helped so many people, me included, over a long period of time.
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Whatever the future holds for them, I am certain it will be successful, but if for some reason, they never ever work again, their contribution to the Sunshine Coast should never be forgotten, both by the community and by themselves.
Their calling it a day reminds me of a quote by Catherine Pulsifer: “Planning to retire? Before you do, find your hidden passion – do the thing that you have always wanted to do.”
Todd and Sami have already ticked that box, or have they? Good luck and thank you.
Ashley Robinson is chairman of Sunshine Coast Falcons and Sunshine Coast Thunder Netball and a lifetime Sunshine Coast resident.
