ABOUT TIM
In his own words...I am the youngest award winner, in the 33 year history, of the New Zealand Radio Awards, having won “Best Spoken Programme” in 2007, aged 15, for my show, “Tim’s Talk”, where I interviewed celebrities such as Rove McManus and New Zealand’s now Prime Minister, John Key, amongst others.
I created the concept for the show, planned the format, decided on the guest list, wrote the questions, created the audio elements, recorded the interviews and produced it myself. I organised my own sponsors, ran on-air competitions with caller interaction, presented weather bulletins and weekly trivia and I took my show live– it was great!!!
My experience in Radio Broadcasting started at 13 years of age. I am now 18 years old and my enthusiasm has greatly increased not dwindled.
I moved to Australia in 2008 and now work part time at 102.9 Hot Tomato on the Gold Coast. Hot Tomato, my parents and my school have believed in my dream of becoming a broadcaster. I attend Helensvale High School 4 days a week (achieving A’s) which enables me to spend one full day a week at Hot Tomato gaining experience in all facets of radio, including studio, announcing, production, promotions, sponsorship and office work.
In June 2009, Hot Tomato officially employed me on a casual basis to do panelling and crosses. I also do on-air work with the Promotions Team. I have even received my first real radio pay cheque.
I am nearing the end of my two year course at Helensvale High School for Film Television & New Media (receiving “A’s”). In 2008 I completed the Radio Metro 105.7 “Introduction to Radio” course and then progressed to News Reading for them on Wednesday mornings at 7.30am where I researched the news on www.news.com.au, wrote the stories and then recorded and presented the news and “Metro Moments” for a period of 5 months, before being asked by 102.9 Hot Tomato to continue my work experience on a permanent basis.
I conceived the concept and set up Helensvale High School’s Radio Station from scratch and have continued to run all programming, organise sponsorship and announce during lunchtimes.
Operating a radio studio has always fascinated me. From an early age, I always wondered what each button did and how it contributed to the finished product people heard in their living rooms or in their cars. Since then, I have made it my goal in life to find out more, learn more and experience more, so I could turn my dream into reality. I am now awesome on a switchboard and in the broadcasting chair, operating the panel, and I’m rapidly increasing my broadcasting skills. I have a strong interest in both being a Broadcaster/Announcer and in the technical aspects of the production side of radio.
I am interested in radio because I want to create my own programme, one that is even better than my award winning show. I want this to be entertaining and interesting, challenging, thought provoking and fun. I feel I have a special gift and I can make small things sound interesting to a mass market, from interviewing the local pizza owner to the next celebrity visiting town. I feel I can transmit my personality and enthusiasm through the airwaves and create positive changes in people’s lives.
I am interesting, outgoing, positive and have already proven that I can project this “on air”. I am confident that I can create smiles on listeners faces, whilst upholding the values of any radio station. I am a “people person”. I can talk to and engage with anyone, anywhere, anytime.I live and breathe radio
I have a strong community focus. I have participated in and organised community events with different radio stations both in New Zealand and Australia eg. The Christchurch Santa Parade, promoting Christchurch’s 92 More FM and Plains FM (separate years), the Ethnic Soccer Festival In Christchurch, where I was MC for the weekend and the Wintersun Rock n Roll Festival on the Gold Coast where I starred as Buddy Holly promoting my Rock N Roll club, in addition to my promotional activities for Hot Tomato.
I am interested in local events, stories and personalities, which appeal to any audience. I am equally at home interviewing top media stars, sporting personalities and Prime Ministers, which I have already done and continue to find interesting. I want to make my show, something that listeners want to tune into and stay tuned to.
I am at ease with public speaking having presented my acceptance speech at the NZ Radio Broadcasting Awards in 2007 to an audience of New Zealand’s top 800 broadcasters. I nailed it, word perfect, and received a standing ovation. I was also Guest Speaker for Scisco Career Pathways on the Gold Coast earlier this year, speaking about my achievements and the advantages of work placements through schools and spoke at the Youth Awards for Volunteering Canterbury in December 2007.
I have a burning ambition to learn as much as I can and to succeed in the radio industry.
