Dave Ferguson: Four decades of living the radio dream

Frankston’s Bayside Shopping Centre was Dave Ferguson’s window to the world during his high school days.

Back then, the centre was home to 3MP, the first commercial radio station to be based in Melbourne’s outer suburbs.

Dave – or Ferg, as he’s known to everyone – was always stopping by for a squiz on his way to and from school.

He tells Radio Today it was awesome being able to watch the big-name announcers strut their stuff.

“Just inside the front doors of the station, there was a huge window, at which I would stand and watch the likes of Richard Coombe, Dave Barnett, Dean Matters, Keith McGowan, Dennis Scanlan and many more.”

It ignited in him a lifelong passion for radio.

“I soaked up the feel of what I saw them do in the studio – presenting their programs, each with individuality, yet all with the common system of preparing for their next task on air.”

Little did Ferg know then that four decades on, he’d be hosting weekday Breakfast on 3MP, the very same station that had captured his teenage imagination.

And it all started with a makeshift studio in his childhood bedroom.

“I took what I saw at 3MP and tried to re-create a similar environment at home, setting up turntables, a cassette deck, a microphone and a clock, and away I went.”

Ferg gave his big sister’s Beatles records a solid workout, as he visualised one day playing them at a big city radio station.

“I was basically practising, rehearsing in reality hour after hour, day after day, for years, for what I dearly hoped might eventuate as a radio career of my own.”

Ferg also played DJ at his local roller rink, spinning everything from Olivia Newton John’s ‘Physical’ to Cliff Richard’s ‘Wired for Sound.’

Ferg’s dad was a career soldier, so his parents moved around constantly.

While Ferg was born in Sydney, he also lived in Canberra, Melbourne, Launceston and Hobart.

“It may have contributed to my desire to attempt a career in radio, as I have continued the gypsy-like transience!” he laughs.

Ferg went on to enrol at Bob Taylor’s Announcers Academy in St. Kilda, where Bob and the likes of Ian ‘Nicko’ Nicholls and Lenny Holmes (father of Jane Holmes) taught program presentation, including the art of reading a radio commercial.

Ferg recorded demos onto cassettes and sent them to every commercial station around Australia.

He received a reply from Steve O’Shea, then-manager of 2VM Moree in northern New South Wales, which led to a job opportunity.

At the age of just 17, Ferg left Melbourne and took off to officially begin his radio career.

After 9 months, he moved into an announcing role at 3BO in Bendigo. His big dream was to work at the legendary Melbourne rock station 3XY.

He got his wish.

Ferg was delivered the ultimate 21^st birthday gift when he did his first mid-dawn shift at 3XY in 1986.

It was during the 3BO days that Dave met his wife Milly (pictured above with Ferg), now Breakfast co-host on Geelong’s 93.9 Bay FM.

In 2001, they moved in together in Sydney.

“Mill was hosting a national night show in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane on the Triple M network,” says Ferg.

“I picked up some work in Sydney on Mix FM, 2WS-FM and The Edge.”

“We both moved to Adelaide where Mill worked for both SAFM and Triple M.”

Eventually the couple returned to Melbourne.

“I had the fortune of panelling at 3AW,” says Ferg.

“It exposed me to a hugely successful station, the talk radio format, and juggernaut names in Melbourne radio such as Neil Mitchell and Ross & John.”

Today, Ferg and Milly remain one of radio’s most enduring couples.

Both are familiar names to Geelong radio listeners, with Ferg hosting Bay FM’s Property Guide on Saturdays.

They’ve also co-hosted Bay FM Breakfast together.

“I think both of us enjoy having the ability of being together in a relationship, with the chance to confide in each other, talk to another who understands the demands of the business, and can share creative discussions and passionate debates,” says Ferg.

Dave says one of his greatest radio challenges has been keeping pace with constant technological developments.

“Gee, when I began in radio I was choosing my own music and playing records! You could smoke in the studio!”

“And 3BO when I arrived in ‘84 or so was a live 24 hour a day station, with a huge staff by today’s standards.”

Ferg says he’s very grateful to still be working in radio.

“While many are quick to suggest radio is dying, with the opportunity to pivot when necessary, and the clever use of adaptability, I’m sure those of us who love the medium of radio will always find that there’s some radio there for us, both as listeners, and employees.”