Father’s Day special: The advice my dad gave me about working in radio

Bianca Dye and Issi Dye. Image supplied

With Father’s Day coming up on Sunday, Radio Today is paying tribute to all the dads and their kids who’ve forged a path in broadcasting by celebrating some amazing families.

Happy Father’s Day to you all.

John Vertigan, his son Jon and Jon’s son Ben

In the Australian radio industry, the Vertigans are not only royalty, they’re a rarity – three generations of men united by their passion for broadcasting.

The legendary John Vertigan is best known for his time as a music announcer on 3UZ in the 1960s and later as a sports coordinator at 3UZ/Sport 927 throughout the ’80s, ’90s and 2000s.

Radio became a true family affair.

John’s son Jon followed him into the industry, going on to spend 30 years doing what he loves – talking on the wireless!

Jon – now ACE Radio’s Metro Content Director – tells Radio Today “Dad’s advice was ‘The best ad-lib is a written one.’”

Now, Jon’s teenage son Ben is making his mark in the industry.

Earlier this year, Ben officially kicked off his own radio career at Warrnambool’s 3YB FM/COAST FM.

Jon’s advice to his own son was simple: “Stay curious and willing to learn.”

“In radio, no job is too small, and every task teaches you something that will serve you later.”

Josh Olek and his dad Eddie

Josh Olek – Workday host on Triple M Brisbane and Sydney – is the son of industry veteran Eddie Olek, Senior Commercial Producer at SEN.

When Josh began his own radio journey, Eddie offered some important words of wisdom.

“The best piece of advice I ever received from my dad about radio was to own my mistakes,” Josh tells Radio Today.

“I remember him saying ‘This is a business where things will go wrong on occasion. The best part of that? Nobody dies. Use mistakes as an opportunity to learn and make yourself more reliable out of it. It’ll give you a better understanding of how things work and will prevent you from making those same mistakes in the future.’”

Josh says he still uses that piece of advice every single day.

“The second piece of advice? Don’t f*ck it up. But I’m pretty sure that was passed along from former SEN host and AFL player Daniel Harford first.”

Bianca Dye and her dad Issi

By the age of five, Bianca Dye was already following her dad Issi around the corridors of Channel Nine, back in the days when he hosted his own TV show.

“I guess I was always going to follow in his footsteps,” Bianca tells Radio Today.

“I always used to grab the microphone out of his hand and try and do my own little comedy piece, even as a kid.”

Issi has now been in showbiz for an incredible 60 years and Bianca remains in awe of how he manages to stay in the game and keep doing what he loves.

“I learned by watching him to just take risks to put yourself out there and don’t worry if people say no because who cares?! It’s not personal! If they say no then that’s their loss and you move onto the next gig!”

Bianca, who this year marks 32 years in radio, says “I did put myself out there and I didn’t really care what people thought of me. The same way he didn’t give a shit either!”

“And I love that I learnt that from him – especially now as I navigate trying to get back into radio (or whatever else is next for me?!)”

“I have to be brave every day and put myself out there and my god it’s hard, but I just keep remembering Dad’s words – ‘Don’t take it personally. Tomorrow is another day – keep ON keeping ON!’”

“If he can do it so can I! Happy Father’s Day, Dad. I love you!”

*Images: Facebook, Instagram and supplied.