After 34 years with GOLD 104.3, and 40 years on air across Melbourne, today Craig ‘Huggy’ Huggins signed off from the station for the last time. But not from radio. He will shortly take over breakfast on Adelaide’s Cruise1323 and Afternoon Drive on Perth’s 96FM.
He said in his last break:
“I have had the time of my life. An incredible 34 years here at GOLD104.3. I was here on day 1 in 1991. I’m always up and about, but I am pretty emotional now. I’ve had the chance to meet the most fabulous people and spend times with the most amazing people to work with. And just as importantly, you. You and I have enjoyed going through lives together with each other for over three decades. Some listening now would have been sitting in the back of your parent’s car 30 years ago, complaining that they were listening to the oldies station, and now your kids are in the back of your car complaining to you about the same thing. I’ve shared my most private moments with you and you with me. The excitement of my kids being born. My daughter Kess is 26 and my son Tye is 22. Radio is my second greatest love. My wife Jenni is first by miles. I’m sorry Melbourne.
My greatest joy is you and I becoming best friends, bonding over the best songs ever made for 34 years. I am blessed to have worked with the most wonderful people on and off air. I’ve seen them come and go, but they’re all in my memory. Thank you, Melbourne, for embracing a kid from Coburg for more than half my life and letting me be part of yours. I’ll miss you, but I’m very proud and honoured to be the last of the original GOLD104.3 team to switch off the lights after my show. I love you, Melbourne.”
A few loving acknowledgements from the industry were forthcoming from his GOLD 104.3 colleagues on The Christian O’Connell Show:
And the below lovely one from community station 88.6 Plenty Valley FM:
We’ll hear you in Adelaide and Perth on April 28 Huggy.