Country music, community radio and music is what makes newly awarded Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) recipient Denise Hylands tick.
For 40 years Denise has volunteered at Triple R, an independent radio station in Melbourne.
Those who tune in to Denise’s show ‘Twang’, will hear a country music show which highlights “good country music.”
“Not the mainstream stuff, more of the alternative music that takes from traditional country music,” she said.
Every Saturday afternoon for the last 28 years, Denise has sat down to provide what she describes as a vital force for the arts and music in Melbourne and beyond.
In addition to her volunteer work with Triple R, Denise works with a touring company which works to bring overseas acts to tour Australia.
“My work is very entrenched in music, most of the jobs that I’ve had in those 40 years have been linked in some way to the music industry,” she said.
“I believe community radio is what gives Melbourne its edge and its voice as one of those amazing cities that has a lot of great music and is the music capital of Australia.”
There is a lot Denise loves about her work, but her favourite part is hearing people love the music she presents.
“I love providing an education in the music that I play, especially these days being country as a lot of people think that they don’t like country music,” she said.
“I find great achievement in providing people with really good music. There’s this great satisfaction of reaching the listener and providing them with music that they enjoy and they take a great deal from.”
Jennifer Pittorino
