Relatable and real: ARN’s sparkling Krystal

Radio hosts don’t come any more relatable than Krystal Roker.

It takes a special kind of talent to turn a mortifying personal moment into one that makes us laugh out loud.

But Krystal, Breakfast announcer at ARN’s 98.1 Power FM in Muswellbrook, has a knack of seizing the humour in life’s embarrassing situations.

Take last year’s ACRAs, for example. A finalist for Best New On-Air Talent, it was Krystal’s very first outing at the Australian Commercial Radio Awards.

But, as she tells Radio Today, it’s a good idea to make sure your hair is done BEFORE you check into reception.

“I still had my heatless curls in, tied up with the waist string from a bathrobe while I walked past people like Will and Woody and Fitzy,” Krystal says. “Annnnnnd … then I ran into everyone from my old station at River 94.9.”

“I’m all about the glam!” she laughs.

Getting to chat to top-rating Sydney radio duo Jonesy and Amanda was a major highlight of Krystal’s ACRAs night.

“Even if I did tell Amanda I want to be her when I grow up … whilst towering over her in my heels that had me at 6ft,” says Krystal.

“I thought, Krystal babes, you’ve grown!”

Lately, we’ve all read and heard enough about a certain AI radio host to fill an encyclopaedia.

Sure, AI DJs can mimic. What they cannot do is feel.

And that, in a nutshell, is why it is critical that we shine a light on the genuine, flesh-and-blood radio talent we have in Australia, particularly young announcers toiling away in regional areas, who often don’t get the recognition they so richly deserve.

Krystal is one of those people, and Australian Radio School owner Sean Craig Murphy says she is determined to be the best she can possibly be.

“She did our Zoom Intro course, even though she was already an established, flourishing workday announcer,” Murphy tells Radio Today.

“Loved her from the very start – she’s one of those very likeable, larger-than-life characters that bursts through the speakers.”

Even more impressive than her on-air persona, says Murphy, are Krystal’s off-air qualities as a human being.

“She went beyond the call of duty in looking after another radio school student, Issy Capone, when she started her first radio job at Power FM last year.”

Krystal hails from Hervey Bay on Queensland’s Fraser Coast and, whilst radio had always interested her, she initially had her heart set on a different kind of creative career.

Once she finished high school, she moved to Brisbane to study acting.

“I then realised that may be a little trickier to achieve than I thought,” Krystal admits.

She ended up working three jobs – none of which was acting. Or radio, for that matter.

“I continued working the retail job I’d had since I was 16, hosted trivia at local pubs and worked at a bowling alley,” she says.

It was through her retail job that Krystal got her start in radio.

“A guy that I worked with knew Greg Hinks and Danny Hoyland – two of the announcers at River 94.9 in Ipswich – through Air Force Cadets.”

“So he gave me Danny’s number to contact and ask about getting into radio.”

It took Krystal three weeks to pluck up the courage to call him.

Danny invited her to the station during his Saturday morning show. The Program Director at that time – Drew Chapman – also happened to be there.

“Danny told me to go in and see Drew, so I did, and I think he could tell I was absolutely dying with excitement to be in a studio.”

“He also reallllly didn’t want to keep coming in on the weekends to panel op.”

“I said ‘Sign me up!’”

Krystal started out on the street team and as a casual weekend panel operator, later going on to land a full-time role as Promotions Coordinator.

After two and a half years pulling casual weekend on-air shifts  and occasionally jumping in for on-air segments during the week at River, a position became available at Power FM in Muswellbrook.

Krystal packed her bags for a new life in the New South Wales Hunter Valley and has been gaining industry attention ever since.

Hair hassles aside, Krystal says she felt honoured to be an ACRAs finalist.

“Holy hell, that was exciting! Just to see I was nominated was an incredible feeling.”

“I wasn’t sure if I was handing in the right things or if my aircheck even sounded any good. I re-checked everything 400 times and annoyed the hell out of Drew Chapman daily, making sure my entry was all good to go.”

“Congrats to Nic Groer who won the category. Watch ya back, I still want that ACRA!”

Like so many of her radio colleagues, Krystal is disappointed that this year’s ACRAs won’t be going ahead.

“It’s such an incredibly fun night, especially for those of us starting out in the industry. I really do hope it will be bigger and better in 2026.”

There are certain people in Krystal’s orbit who have been crucial in her career journey to date.

“I’ll always be grateful to Drew Chapman for giving me my first job in radio,” she says. “Purely because he could see I was like a kid in a candy store when I got to sit in front of a panel for the first time.”

“He’s always there for a phone call when I need to ask advice, get ideas or just have a menty b. I will always be grateful to have him in my corner … any jobs going at KIIS, Drewbles?”

Krystal is eternally thankful for the support of Sean Craig Murphy.

“I was starting to feel a little lost in my radio journey until I got the chance to take part in the Intro to Radio course,” she says.

“It really reignited my passion for radio as he is just so excited, knowledgeable and obsessed with all things radio.”

“Sean only ever wants to see the students doing their best and he really brings that out in all of us.”

Krystal says River 94.9 General Manager David Wiltshire and Promotions Manager Ben Lemberg have been important mentors.

“David always gives me great air checking advice and encouragement and Ben’s always been a great friend and one the smartest and most hilarious people to learn from.”

She’s also grateful to have industry colleagues like 92.7 Mix FM’s Annabelle ‘A.B’ Brett in her corner.

“I first met A.B at the ACRAs last year and she was so supportive and helpful in giving me advice,” says Krystal.

“She’s a total girl’s girl that wants us all to succeed and helps us to achieve that however she can. She’s an absolute legend.”

A.B tells Radio Today “Krystal is one of those hard working, determined types that radio bosses insist they don’t see enough of thesedays.”

“She’s so hungry for it and has an excellent attitude and work ethic, as well as being a fabulous broadcaster. I reckon there’s no doubt we will see big things from her!”

Despite tough industry times and ongoing uncertainty, if you want to work in radio, Krystal says there’s always a way to get your foot in the door.

“A lot of us started on the street teams. Those positions are quite often popping up so always apply for those and make sure to let your leaders know you’d love to learn other aspect of the job, whether you’re into audio production, announcing, promotions whatever it is, get on those street teams!”

“Also, it’s 2025! Social media is just as big, if not bigger than radio, so put yourself out there, be yourself and radio could just come knocking on your door!”

“In the wise words from one of my fave movies, Cinderella Story: ‘Don’t let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game’.”