The radio industry is tough and not everyone lasts the distance. radioinfo recognises two quiet achievers who have recorded milestones in their radio careers: Margaret Brandt who retired from 4TAB last week after 50 years working in Brisbane radio, and Reverend John Edmondstone who clocked up 40 years of radio ministry on 2CH this week.
Margaret Brandt
4TAB General Manager Graham Lloyd Kemp, himself a radio veteran of 49 years, sent us this portrait of Margaret’s work in the Queensland radio industry.
Margaret helped guide our station from the very beginning in a tight manner, then helped meld its accounting and admin into the parent company, the Tatts Group.
She has had many roles in her working life which, until today’s achievement of retirement, was capped back in 1994 when the Queensland Radio Body, the Time Club inducted her into the Hall of Fame for her contribution to Queensland Radio.
Back on Feb 8 1960 Margaret commenced work in a little Ipswich station called 4IP. She was a control operator, then receptionist/switchboard operator.
Around 1964 the station was sold, and began its rise to the powerhouse station of the 70s, Color Radio 4IP. It was there in 1965 I first met Margaret when I started work there, and it was there she met her future husband, Allan.
Margaret left 4IP in 1978 taking up a position as Secretary to the GM of 4KQ. Whilst at KQ, she also took on a job which was to last many many years, that of state secretarial duties for the Federation of Australian Radio Broadcasters.
Margaret also worked for an industry body ‘Radio Broadcasters of Queensland.’ Another long 12 year stint saw her as Secretary/Treasurer of the Queensland Radio Time Club.
In 1989 Margaret returned to 4IP as assistant to the General Manager and in charge of scheduling all the advertisements. Only a year or two passed and the station 4IP was sold yet again, this time to the Totalisator Administration Board of Queensland to become 4TAB.
Here at the TAB station Margaret continued as Commercial Scheduler, Administration coordinator, accounts, assistant to the General Manager. . . and my friend.
John Edmondstone
Rev. John Edmondstone, a Baptist Minister, has been on air for 40 years, 30 of them on 2CH. He is heard three times each day and on Sunday evening 8-9 on the popular hymn session, Nightsong.
John began his association with radio in 1957 on 2NZ Inverell while ministering in Churches in NSW. Later he transferred to Queensland where he became active in radio ministry and in the Christian Television Association. He has broadcast on radio stations throughout the nation. On 26th January 2000 John was conferred with the Order of Australia Medal for service to the Church and radio.
Although retired from the ministry in 2006, John Edmondstone continues on his 2CH programs. Macquarie Radio Network’s group PD Ian Holland acknowledged the contribution he has made to the station at a function in Sydney this week.
John Edmonstone’s role at 2CH was not just limited to making on air programs. Aware of the need to support management he quickly developed a rapport and cooperative working relationships with the then 2CH General Manager Don Craig and Network Manager Bruce Rogerson. Over time he became a valued member of the 2CH team.
When, in the early seventies, the Broadcasting Control Board called into question 2CH’s unusual licensing arrangements (the licensee, Council of Churches, and the operator, AWA Limited, were not the same entity), the station was asked to explain. As a representative of the licensee John ably presented the situation and the outcome was positive.
John was also given the task of persuading high profile 2GB broadcaster Rev Roger Bush to join 2CH and develop its image as the station of “Concern and Help,” which he did, enhancing 2CH’s image and ratings.