Category - Uncategorised

Spring has officially arrived. Strangely enough we’re only looking for a high of 17 degrees Celsius in Perth today. It’s a bit wintery outside but I still took the long way to work this morning. I cycled through part of the Swan Valley, through Midland and into Helena Valley before getting to the studio. It was absolutely magnificent.

Helena Valley is very green at the moment and it was a real pleasure to be out enjoying the scenery, saying hello to a few cows and horses on the way. It’s amazing how much it feels like you’re in the middle of a country area when it’s only minutes from the city.

I also noticed that the Arum Lilies are out in force through some areas of the valley. They’re a very attractive plant but they’re considered to be a poisonous weed. As of last week they’ve been banned for sale throughout Western Australia.

After Radiothon causing the the last couple of weeks to be rather intense, it was truly wonderful to be able to get out on the bike for a little longer this morning. Hopefully the weather will just keep getting better and make the ride even more enjoyable in the weeks to come.

Posted by Rodney Olsen

Technorati Tags: Cycling – Arum Lily – Spring

Do you think some of your friends would enjoy reading Aaaah!? Please use the buttons below to share the post. Thanks.

The target for our 8 day Radiothon for 98.5 Sonshine FM was $200 000. We had no idea if we would even get close.

With 3 hours still to go we’re at $207 081.

You can watch the tally rise at the website.

You have no idea how emotional it was when the numbers tipped over the $200 000 mark.

UPDATE: At the close of Radiothon the tally had risen to $256 983. Words will never express how it felt to see that kind of result. On the final day of this eight day Radiothon alone, supporters gave more than during any of the three or four day Radiothons held previously. We serve a great God and have many, many generous listeners and supporters.

Posted by Rodney Olsen

Technorati Tags: Sonshine FM – Radiothon – Radio

Do you think some of your friends would enjoy reading Made it!? Please use the buttons below to share the post. Thanks.

One of the great things about Radiothon at 98.5 Sonshine FM each year is getting to chat to the many visitors who drop in. Those visitors range from regular listeners who take advantage of the opportunity to visit the radio station and tour our studios through to polititians, sporting personalities and representatives from other media organisations.

As I mentioned a few posts back, this year we planned morning teas for some regular morning programme listeners. So far so good with the third of the four morning teas held this morning. I’ll get to meet some more listeners tomorrow morning at our final morning tea.

Over the past week I’ve had the pleasure of chatting on-air to people like Monica Kos from Channel 7’s Today Tonight, Channel 7 news presenter, Rick Ardon, Channel 9 news presenter, Dixie Marshall, Leader of the Opposition in Western Australia, Paul Omodei, Paul Entwistle from Postcards WA on Channel 9, CEO of Gloria Jean’s Coffee worldwide, Peter Irvine as well as my regular morning programme guests.

A real delight was catching up with my regular Wednesday guest, Rev Dr Ross Clifford, (interesting to see that his extensive Wikipedia entry mentions our regular chats) who paid Western Australia a flying visit last week. Ross flew home early Saturday afternoon but managed to squeeze in a visit to our studios on Saturday morning. Even though we’ve been chatting on-air, via phone, each week for a couple of years, this was the first time we’d met face to face. The picture in this post shows Ross (centre) towering over me (left) and 98.5 Sonshine FM Breakfast Announcer and Programme Director, Arthur Muhl (right). Ross is the Principal of Morling Theological College in New South Wales and is currently the National President of Baptist Union of Australia. It was great to be able to sit together in the same studio and spend a bit of time together. Ross is a very clever guy and it’s always a pleasure to talk to him.

Posted by Rodney Olsen

Technorati Tags: Sonshine FM – Radiothon – Radio

Do you think some of your friends would enjoy reading Catching up? Please use the buttons below to share the post. Thanks.

I haven’t been posting for a few days because Radiothon for 2006 has been very busy.

Each year we set aside a few days to publicly appeal for funds to continue running 98.5 Sonshine FM which is a community broadcaster, relying mainly on donated funds to survive.

This year things are a little different with an extended 8 day Radiothon as we try to raise substantial funds to build a new radio station in Como. We started last Friday so we’re 5 days down with 3 to go.

There’s so much to say about Radiothon but so little time to write it all down. I’ll fill in a few more details when I get a chance but in the meantime I’ve posted the attached picture of me with an old friend who dropped in to our open day on Saturday afternoon.

Roy and I went to both primary and high school together but we haven’t seen each other since. After hearing me on air a few times, Roy decided to get in touch and renew contact. I invited him in to the station and we spent a little while talking about old times and catching up on over 25 years of life. We’re planning to get together with a few other old friends sometime soon in a more relaxed atmosphere.

I spent about seven and a half hours on air today so I’m feeling pretty fried. I’m off to bed. I’ll fill you in on some more Radiothon details soon.

Posted by Rodney Olsen

Technorati Tags: Radio – Sonshine FM – Friends

Do you think some of your friends would enjoy reading Hello old friend? Please use the buttons below to share the post. Thanks.

Poor Pluto.

Pluto no longer has his own planet. I blame Goofy. I think Goofy has always been jealous of Pluto’s popularity and so he set out to discredit him. I think he has carried out a dirty little campaign aimed at destroying Pluto’s good name and character.

You may have won over the scientific community but don’t expect me to follow your lead, Goofy. I’ve always preferred Pluto and Goofy’s efforts will not change my mind.

So, Mr Goofy, just because you can walk on your hind legs and you wear a silly hat, don’t think you’ve won. You may have won this one, small battle but the war isn’t over yet.

I think it’s about time Mickey called in a mediator to helps resolve the underlying issues. The last thing we need is a continuation of the tension between the Disney dogs.

Don’t worry Pluto, you’re still my favourite.

Posted by Rodney Olsen

Technorati Tags: Pluto – Goofy – Planets

Do you think some of your friends would enjoy reading Goofy did it!? Please use the buttons below to share the post. Thanks.