Pats keeps it real

Patrina Jones thrives on adrenaline. Up at 3am, she’s already hard at work while the rest of Melbourne sleeps, diving into another day as part of the top rating Christian O’Connell Show on Gold 104.3.

A newsreader for decades, Pats – as she’s affectionately known – is no stranger to the demands of breakfast radio. But when Christian O’Connell landed in town four years ago to take over the Gold 104.3 breakfast show and recruited Pats to be part of the journey, it reinvigorated her career.

Traditionally, breakfast shows can take time to ‘bed down’ and co-hosts don’t always gel, but with their relaxed, easy banter, listeners have remarked that Christian, Jack Post and Pats sound like they’ve known each other for ages.

Patrina tells Radio Today there was a natural chemistry right from day one:

“It’s always been organic and genuine.  All 3 of us feel as though the planets aligned when we began as a team.  You know it’s something special when you come back from a survey break and there’s no finding our feet on air again.  The rapport just takes off from the last show we did.”

It gets hectic behind the scenes. Aside from her involvement on the show, Patrina writes, produces and presents her own news and sport. It’s multi-tasking with a capital M, and all part of the adventure.

“I love raw, live radio and Christian’s style of show  suits my experience well,” she says.

It’s clear Pats resonates with listeners, because – as a suburban wife and mum trying to navigate life’s endless ‘To Do List’ – they can relate to her.

Those who know Pats well know that she is the same on air as off – down to earth, funny, fiercely loyal and generous to a fault. And those who don’t know her could imagine having coffee with her.

In a sometimes shallow industry where egos abound, she keeps things refreshingly real.

“I’ve always made the decision to be authentic.  To bring my WHOLE self to the show – even the ugly bits, sharing my infertility struggle and cancer recovery.  Simply put, I AM the listener.”

“I’ve never pretended to be what I’m not and I never will.”

Pats credits her hubby Chris – known to listeners as The Love God – as her rock and her number one ticket holder in life.

“He has endless faith in me and is constantly challenging me to chase my dreams, which is an amazing example to our daughter Audrey.”

Away from radio, family time is everything. Pats adores motherhood and creating memories.

“I love the way we grow as individuals and as a family when we travel. We’re yet to tackle Europe, so that’s definitely in our future.”

Closer to home, the family loves live theatre and music and seeking out all the fabulous food haunts Melbourne has to offer, with Yum Cha a particular favourite.

“Right now, we’re counting down the days to Easter along the Surf Coast.”

And when she returns on-air, she’ll keep on keeping it real.

“You know that saying – be yourself because everyone else is taken?  It’s the best gift you can give yourself as a presenter. To let go of inhibitions and reservations. That in turn opens the door for listeners to do the same and give you the best of them.  It’s a relationship of trust. And faith. And mutual respect.”