He was the man who gave many people their very first radio job in Lismore.

Friends and radio colleagues are mourning the death of Chris Lodge, long time General Manager of Super Radio Network station 2LM, as well as ZZZ FM.

Chris’s media career spans more than 40 years.

Born in 1946, he started his radio journey at Port Pirie as Manager of 5PI.

In 1986, he moved to Lismore, taking up the role as General Manager for 2LM.

Chris was instrumental in the expansion which saw Lismore get its very first commercial FM station, ZZZ FM.

Chris also led the 2LM Children’s Christmas Appeal and was a big supporter of the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service.

Over the years Chris gave many people their start in local radio, a number of whom went on to have successful careers, including current 2LM and ZZZ FM Station Manager Callum Jones and in 2004 was appointed to Commercial Radio Australia’s Board of Directors.

Despina Priala, the owner and Managing Director of the Super Radio Network said:

“George Caralis (also the co-owner and Managing Director of the SRN) and myself have many fond memories of Chris during the early years when mum and dad first started on their media journey in 1987, and throughout, to the most recent months before Chris passed away.

Chris was an extremely loyal and dedicated man to the radio business, but particularly to the Super Radio Network and to our late parents. He will be forever remembered as a hard working dedicated man to the industry, a great father to Jessica his daughter, and a dear friend to us. May he rest in peace.”