In 2011, we thought he had beaten it, but doctors now say it’s terminal writes Andrew Jaffrey.
At the age of 67, Grant Goldman has just about worked everywhere.
Perhaps one of the most recognised voices in Australia it is hard to find somewhere Grant hasn’t been involved. Hundreds of thousands of Sydney-siders would know his voice as their train arrived to take them to work or home, or to hear all too often a service disruption message on the Sydney trains network. So familiar was his voice at the time a mash-up was created for YouTube where Goldman’s voice is cut up to announce messages we’ve all imagined.
A Tamworth boy, Grant entered radio at just 14 and over the years has been heard on 2TM, 2DAYFM, 6PR, 2UE, 2GB, 2WS, 3UZ and twice at 2SM; once during the ‘Lite ‘n Easy’ experiment and currently as breakfast host across the Super Radio Network leading into the John Laws show each weekday morning.
But radio has been just one part of Goldman’s long bow. Television across all the major networks including Sky Channel and the voice of Channel 7 in Brisbane, the voice of cinema advertising through the Val Morgan group, recorded tour guide on the Sydney Explorer and Bondi explorer bus networks, Announcer at the Sydney Olympic Games, Announcer at the Sydney Football stadium, Stadium Australia and the SCG, even the Blue Mountains aren’t big enough to stop the Goldman voice being your automated tour guide.
Big name entertainers have shared the stage with Grant including The Monkees, Bob Hope, Manfred Mann, Roy Orbison and Paul McCartney. Today Grant is an avid supporter of the Australian Country Music industry and maintains his passion for NRL and his beloved Manly Sea Eagles.
Wherever you go it is almost impossible to not hear or be reminded of Grant’s enduring voice.
And it is that familiarity that has led to an outpouring of support for Grant and his family as he faces the biggest challenge of his life. Many wouldn’t know that under the ever cheerful disposition lies a deep concern, a challenge to survive and beat the odds. Nearly 10 years ago following a routine check-up Grant was told the news no one wants to hear. He had cancer. It was a tough battle, with many challenges. Over 5 years a total of 5 separate cancers would invade his chest, liver, bowel and lungs. As if that wasn’t enough his youngest child was born very prematurely and had a number of health battles of her own to fight.
Despite several treatments of radiation and chemotherapy the prognosis is grim. Grant is battling an illness his doctors have labelled as terminal.
There are therapies available but the PBS isn’t as fast to act as the tumours that are invading Grant’s body. Several of these therapies have shown promising outcomes but are incredibly expensive.
Ever the private man and loathe to burden others with his problems Grant reluctantly accepted an offer from his son Mike and other colleagues to start a fundraising campaign to pay for these treatments. A GoFundMe page was set up just a few months ago and has already received nearly $18,000 in donations. The target is $120,000 to cover the cost of these treatments in the hope it may bring some more time.
The artists Grant has supported through his radio program have come together to host events to further the cause, not just to raise funds but to raise awareness as well for many other patients facing the same battle. The community has rallied and even Grant’s employer Bill Caralis has been generous with maintaining Grant’s paid employment during hospitalisations over the last few years.
Anyone wanting to contribute to the cause can do so by going to the GoFundMe page https://www.gofundme.com/grant-goldman-cancer-fund or by visiting www.grantgoldman.com.au.
A “Black tie for Grant” charity gala will be held in Sydney on Saturday April 8th at the Terry Hills Golf Club. Tickets are $140 per person which includes food, drinks and entertainment. Tables of 8 are also available and tickets are now on sale via Grants website.
All proceeds raised will go towards Grant’s continued treatment and ongoing support for his daughter Ally.
Grant Goldman has given his life to radio and entertainment and now his colleagues and fans have the opportunity to say thank you. Messages of support flow on his GoFundMe page from listeners giving what they can and have been humbly & gratefully appreciated but the final words come from the Goldman family who say “please don’t give unless you can afford to. Grant is a very proud man and would be heartbroken if anyone gave who couldn’t afford to”.
About the Author
Andrew Jaffrey is a journalist with a background in radio since the early 1990s. He first worked with Grant Goldman at 2GB in 1991 as a panel operator for the Australia Overnight program.
Today he runs his own freelance business called “I (w)ROTE THAT” and has contributed to Channel 9, 2GB & 2UE on subjects relating to crime and courts in NSW.
You can follow him on twitter @AndrewJaffrey or visit his website at www.iwrotethat.wixsite.com/welcome