Remembering Crockie

Ian Crockett. Image: Facebook

If it weren’t for Ian Crockett, some of Australia’s most successful radio talent would not be on air today.

This week, our industry is mourning the loss of a true legend and beloved character – the man affectionately known to all who worked with him as ‘Crockie’ – following his death at the age of 86.

Crockie was the lifeblood of Wangaratta’s 1566 3NE, which recently transitioned to the FM band and rebranded as STAR 92.1. Every square inch of that red brick building on Templeton Street, he knew like the back of his hand.

Just seventeen years old when he joined the station in January 1955, Crockie went on to spend his entire working life with North East Broadcasters – predominately as a technician but also as a fill-in announcer and later, station manager.

You never forget the person who gave you your chance in radio, and Patrina Jones from Gold 104.3’s The Christian O’Connell Show is grateful she recently got to express that to Crockie in person.

“It was in the days when typewriters sat atop desks next to ashtrays and dreams loomed large, especially for a bug-eyed young woman who dreamt of a career in broadcasting,” she says.

“Today we celebrate a life that breathed oxygen into many successful careers.”

Smooth 91.5 Breakfast host Mike Perso also has Crockie to thank for giving him his start in radio.

“I had no experience and no training but he gave me a go,” says Perso, who has two standout memories of Crockie: “His pokey back office with its always overflowing ashtray and the time we tried talkback.”

“He created some form of tape delay system which involved a couple of reel-to-reel machines in the control room connected by about 15 feet of tape.”

“Can you imagine the sound quality after running that for a three hour shift? It didn’t last very long but as always he was ready to give it a red hot go!”

ACE Radio Network Chief Marketing Officer Grant Johnstone was another to thrive under Crockie’s guidance.

“When you’re younger, you don’t always realise the impact certain people have on your life,” says Johnstone. “It’s not until later in life that you truly appreciate how deeply they’ve influenced you, both professionally and personally.”

“Ian Crockett was that person for me.”

“His passion for broadcasting, along with his calm, caring, and nurturing nature, left a lasting impression on everyone around him. He inspired so many of us to take care in the work we do, and to care about the people we work with.”

“I can only aspire to carry myself with the same integrity and generosity that Crockie brought to our industry every day.”

“I will miss him greatly.”

Crockie was central to the radio careers of many, including this writer. In fact, if not for Crockie, I would probably not have the privilege of putting together this tribute to the great man.

So I’m eternally grateful that he also decided to take a punt on me. RIP Crockie.

*Images: ARN, NOVA Entertainment and ACE Radio Network.