Long time Perth radio announcer, Shane McFarlane, passed away yesterday.

Shane had a long career in radio, most successfully as part of Mix 94.5’s Big Couch with Dean Clairs and Kymba Cahill.  The drive show/breakfast show has constantly been number one in it’s time slot, even knocking off Hamish and Andy several times.

Southern Cross Austereo released the following statement
 

“The mix94.5 team is devastated to learn of the death of their much loved friend and colleague, Shane McFarlane.

Shane died on the morning of Wednesday 7 October, after complications from an ongoing gastric health issue.

Shane, from mix94.5’s breakfast show, ‘Clairsy, Shane and Kymba’, was held in deep affection by Perth radio listeners and colleagues, who will remember him for his larrikin humour and big hugs. Shane’s broadcasting career began in WA’s north west and took him all over the country to Noosa, Newcastle and Canberra before he returned to Perth and started at mix 94.5 in January of 2000.  Beginning on air as an evening announcer, he quickly moved into Drive with Dean Clairs ‘Clairsy’ and together they formed the genesis of mix94.5’s incredibly successful Drive Show, The Big Couch.

Kymba Cahill joined the Drive show in 2010 and the three of them really hit their straps.  Following this success, nearly two years ago, they all moved into Breakfast as the enormously popular ‘Clairsy, Shane and Kymba’.

SCA General Manager, Perth, Linda Wayman said: “We’re in shock after learning of the passing our much loved friend and colleague Shane McFarlane.  I speak for many of us who worked with Shane over his 15 year career at SCA, when I say that we are deeply saddened to hear this news. As a community we’ll mourn the man who gave us many laughs to kick start our day.  He was a larger than life personality around the office and on air and he will be missed by all. Our heartfelt condolences go out to Shane’s son Blake and his family.”