MY PLACE

30/8/19 North West Photography Issue 3/9//19 MyPLace Ron Bourke hosts a weekly show on Melton Fm. PIc Marco De Luca

By Ewen McRae

How did you come to work at Melton FM?

Radio is in my blood, I’m addicted, so when the opportunity came up I was in very quickly.

What do you like best about the area?

I love the natural attractions like the Lerderderg Gorge and the Bacchus Marsh fruit stalls.

What could make the area better?

Better public transport, and as it has been so well publicised, a hospital for Melton.

Tell me about your show on Melton FM. What have been some of the highlights in the time you’ve been doing it?

My aim is to present a show I would like to listen to, you know that you can’t please everyone so I pitch it at my demographic, talking about the issues of the day, mostly playing music from days gone by.

You worked at 3AW for a long time, how
was that experience? What’s one of your favourite stories you covered while you were there?

There’s never a dull moment in a big newsroom. You never know what each day will bring. I enjoyed the variety of stories you get to cover, but media conferences at my AFL team North Melbourne were always special.

The Coode Island chemical fires were probably the most scary for me. At first nobody knew what toxins were billowing in the air and my granddaughters, who were very young at the time, were living close by in Yarraville.

What would people be surprised to know about you?

I tend to get carried away and yell at the football. I’m trying hard to keep calm in future when too many free kicks go against the Kangas.

Breakfast with Ron Bourke can be heard on Melton FM from 6-9am Fridays.