The ABC’s Local Radio Manager for NSW, Roger Summerill has retired after a long career that spanned both commercial and ABC Radio.
At an ABC Ultimo function, the Director of ABC Radio Sue Howard and head of local radio networks Michael Mason paid tribute to Roger Summerill. The evening was hosted by James Valentine.
Roger Summerill has told radioinfo:
“I have enjoyed working for more than 40 rewarding years in a great industry. Thankfully most of those years have been wonderful and exciting years. I’ve had the privilege to work with some of the best on and off air talent in our industry.
“I want to particularly thank those who’ve helped along the way – too many tomention by name.
“Not many people have had the opportunity as I have had to work in both the commercial and ABC sectors of Radio. I’ve undoubtedly had the best of both worlds.
“I also want to thank Sue Howard and Michael Mason for enabling me to work with what is currently Australia’s best team of broadcasters at 702 and the NSW ABC
regional stations.”
Summerill worked for Janet Cameron’s Grant Broadcasting company as a general manager for over 15 years, before joining the ABC. He retires at age 62, but plans to do some ‘locum’ work for ABC Radio over the next few months when needed.
2005 was the 40th anniversary of Roger Summerill winning the City of Sydney Eisteddfod section for Radio Announcing. This led to Roger working at 2UE as an Announcer. Other announcing positions have included stints at 2UW and ABC Illawarra.
He was for a time the Manager of Copley News Service and the Sydney news reporter for Radio 3KZ. Roger also hosted the VFL Match of the day on ATN 7 during the 70’s.
His management roles include Operations Manager at 2UW, as well as General Manager at a number of commercial stations in both regional and capital city
markets in NSW and Western Australia (6IX Network 1977; 2KA 1978; 2GB1979-1981; 2ST/Power FM 1985-1997; Wave FM 1997-2000).
From 1981-1985 Roger worked as a lecturer and Supervisor of Radio Training at the Australian Film Television and Radio School in Sydney.
He was appointed ABC Local Radio Manager NSW in May 2000, with responsibility for the management of 702 ABC Sydney and the NSW regional stations.
In 1999 he was awarded the Order of Australia Medal for services to the communities of the Shoalhaven and South Coast especially for his work promoting
Regional Tourism.
James O’Brien will be acting Local Radio Manager until a permanent replacement is named.
Photo below shows Roger’s retirement gift – an antique radio.
