Put the former ABC Melbourne personality behind a microphone and watch the magic happen.
Jon was guest speaker at the February 19 launch of ABC Friends Goulburn Valley and imperceptibly worked his magic on more than 50 people who had gathered for the launch.
ABC supporters listened intently as Jon reminisced about his time as an announcer at the Melbourne studio of the national broadcaster.
However, he not only talked about years gone, Jon talked about the ABC of today and in comments that were “for your ears only”, he boldly waded into matters presently troubling the corporation.
The Shepparton-based ABC announcer Nic Healey, who presently hosts ABC mornings across Victoria, acted as Master of Ceremonies for the launch and so introduced Jon.
With the co-operation of the newly appointed Head of Campus at Shepparton’s La Trobe University, Laura Baker, the launch was held in the well-appointed Community Room.
Laura attended the event, as did the president and vice-president of ABC Friends Victoria, Pamela Creed and Michael Henry, respectively.
ABC Friends Goulburn Valley convenor Robert McLean welcomed Jon, Nic and guests and acknowledged the launch was being held on Yorta Yorta land.
Fellow ABC Friends Goulburn Valley member Chris Parnell wrapped up the evening, thanking all who attended, particularly the articulate, forthright and sometimes humorous Jon Faine.
Busy taking pictures throughout the launch was another GV member Chris Uren, while in the background making sure the wheels kept turning were two other members, Judi Hanlon and Ray Pearson.
Among the audience, and probably the one with the biggest smile, was GV member Wilma Hills from Echuca.
Robert declared Wilma to be the catalyst for the formation of the group, for following a failed earlier attempt by ABC Friends Victoria to set up a new group in Bendigo, the focus has shifted to Echuca.
A webinar with Echuca in mind was set up, but electronic gremlins corrupted that effort, and so attention pivoted to Shepparton.
A couple of preliminary public meetings in the city’s library, attended in the first instance by Pamela Creed and he ABC Friends Groups co-ordinator Anne-Maree Newbold, and then later by Micheal Henry, saw the small group set up ABC Friends Goulburn Valley.
The new group takes in the City of Greater Shepparton, and the Campaspe, Moira and Strathbogie shires, covering a huge piece of northern Victoria real estate.
About a decade has passed since the last ABC Friends Group was established in Victoria, and so the February 19 launch of ABC Friends Goulburn Valley was historic for multiple reasons.
More than 20 people completed provided forms at the launch indicating support for the idea and plans are being made for the group’s first post-launch meeting on March 19 at the Shepparton library.
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