From reception to radio host: Tracey Sergiacomi marks 15 years at Bundaberg Broadcasters

If Tracey Sergiacomi ever needed a reminder of the special connection she has with her radio audience, she only has to pop down to the local shops.

The Hitz939 Breakfast co-host – who’s just notched up 15 years with Bundaberg Broadcasters – tells Radio Today “As an announcer, I didn’t realise how many listeners see you as a friend and someone you can have a chat to.”

“I’ll be out shopping and someone will come up and show me a picture of their new grandchild or tell me something funny that their kid has done.”

“I love that.”

As well as getting to hang out with Matthew ‘Matty’ Ambrose (pictured above) as part of the Matty & Trace Breakfast Show, Tracey also loves her other role as the station’s Promotions Manager.

Helping to put together fun competitions for the listeners is a bit like playing Santa.

“There is no better feeling seeing how happy someone is after winning a major prize. It’s very rewarding,” says Tracey.

Tracey grew up in Queensland’s Lockyer Valley at Gatton, a little rural town between Brisbane and Toowoomba.

“I wasn’t very good at school,” says Tracey. “I think that was because I didn’t do any homework.”

“I was the kid who locked themselves in the bedroom and recorded songs from the radio and then I would listen back and write out all the lyrics to every song.”

But radio as a career wasn’t on Tracey’s radar back then.

“I loved radio and I loved music but never had aspirations to work in the industry.”

Her foray into radio happened by chance. Tracey’s best friend happened to work in sales at Bundaberg Broadcasters.

“She told me about a reception job going there,” says Tracey. “I applied and got it.”

After two years of reception, traffic and sales, Tracey was asked to do a weekly on-air gossip segment.

Then one day the station’s then-Content Director asked Tracey how she’d feel about having a crack at hosting the Breakfast shift.

Tracey jumped at the chance.

The first shift didn’t exactly go smoothly. Tracey found herself literally sick with nerves.

“After my first on air break, I ran to the toilet and vomited,” she says.

Despite the inauspicious start to her on-air career, Tracey hasn’t looked back.

Tracey’s a firm believer that regional radio is something you do because you love it, and not for the money.

“I used to do the pays as the receptionist. I remember the first time I did the pays up for the announcers and I was shocked.”

“I thought they would earn in the hundred thousands a year for sure.”

Tracey experienced first-hand the power of radio when Bundaberg was hit with devastating floods in 2011 and 2013.

“People were scared. They relied on us to help guide them through something that we have never seen here before in our city.”

Tracey also discovered the power of true community spirit.

“That period, I will never forget.  The devastation suffered and then the coming together of everyone to help one another out. I do live in an amazing community.”

Tracey is grateful for the experienced on-air colleagues who’ve advised and guided her along the way.

“Having had no training in radio, I had some great co-hosts that helped me and taught me a lot.”

As for where she sees the industry heading, Tracey says “I hope we never see an end to regional radio.”

“As my Content Director Billy McFerran always says, you can’t hear about a pothole on a local street on Spotify.”