Aaron Chilcott celebrates 25 years in radio

Aaron Chilcott in his early radio days. Image: LinkedIn

There was a time when Aaron Chilcott never saw radio as being anything more than a weekend hobby.

A quarter of a century later, not only is he still in radio, he’s one of the industry’s most respected and hardest-working people.

This week, as he celebrates 25 years in radio, the Capital Radio Network announcer and programmer is reflecting on the ride.

Aaron was still in high school when he presented his first-ever radio show on his local community station – a Sunday night program called Aaron Live at 5.

“I’d had so much fun doing work experience there the previous year, and I loved the idea of hosting my own show if I wanted to!” Aaron said on LinkedIn.

“So, when the Program Director called me to say there was a timeslot available, I was quick to write it down so I wouldn’t forget.”

“I still have that piece of paper!”

A year later, when the local newspaper wanted to write an article about Aaron, he began to realise that maybe this ‘weekend hobby’ could become something more serious.

A few years on, Aaron took up a job at a commercial radio station interstate.

He was the mid-morning announcer at Super Radio Network station Rok FM in Parkes before going on to work in various roles across the ACE Radio Network, Grant Broadcasters, ARN and SCA.

“A quarter of a century later, here we are!” he says.

“Massive thanks to everyone who’s been part of the ride – from my dear mum who used to drive me to the station every weekend before I got my licence, to the radio industry legends who have helped me out along the way with inspiration and advice.”

Last year – just months after after undergoing life-saving surgery to remove a cyst from his brain – Aaron was appointed to a new, network-wide role with the Capital Radio Network, achieving a long-held dream.

Expanding on his previous network gig, Aaron currently hosts a night-time show across all Forever Classic stations: 6iX Perth, XLFM Snowy Mountains, 2CA Canberra, GNFM Goulburn and his home turf – 3GG in Gippsland.

Images: LinkedIn and supplied