It was an extraordinary morning in Adelaide where the women of breakfast radio shared the best, and very worst, of the city.
Ahead of International Women’s Day, Jodie from Nova, Loz at Triple M, Emma G from SAFM and Hayley from Mix all came together at the same time, on air, for the first time, for a chat. Listen below:
Mix 102.3s Hayley Pearson started the ball rolling, saying:
“We wanted to bring together the sisters of radio in Adelaide for the first time ever we have all these women of Adelaide radio who are all really supportive.”
Nova 919’s Jodie Oddy added:
“Breakfast radio can feel quite isolating and alone and for us to come together and support each other is so important. For this unification today is so beautiful…. this is historic and unique.”
Triple M’s Lauren ‘Loz’ O’Çallaghan shared:
“I was very nervous when I first started but the boys made me really, really comfortable and I’ve had a positive experience. I know people wouldn’t expect it I actually feel real, like I’m allowed to be myself.”
And SAFM’s Emma G said:
“To land breakfast radio in my home time is the dream, I have learnt that being a women in radio is that a rising tide lifts all boats, there is enough space for all of us.”
Jodie concluded with:
“Well done to everyone for doing this, it’s so uplifting, let’s move forward together!”
Hayley Pearson replaced Ali Clarke on Mix 102.3 this year as Ali took a break after a breast cancer diagnosis and double mastectomy.
In a truly horrific incident last night, after an International Women’s Day event where Ali was nominated in the Inspiration of the Year category, she was trying to get home via a cab.
He husband had left ahead of her and when she went to get in she was asked to leave due to the small nature of the fare. When she asked again to be taken home, the cab driver, as Ali emotionally shared in an Instagram video below, made offensive slurs towards her:
Ali shared with the ABC later, where it must also be mentioned Sonya Feldhoff is doing a great job on ABC Adelaide breakfast with Jules Schiller, that she chose to share her story for her daughter:
“If you can’t call it out on this day out of all days. No-one, man or woman, should have to go through something like this, it’s vulgar, there’s no place for it.”
There was such a response after the initial video was posted, from women and men, that Ali commented: