Just a Reminder

October 11, 2012
by Rodney Olsen
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Just a reminder that from this Saturday until to the following, the 20th of October, I’ll once again be taking part in the Morning Cafe Cancer Ride for Cancer Council Western Australia. I’ll be cycling over 500 kilometres from Albany to Perth.

The ride follows the success of rides held over the last few years. This will be our fourth ride highlighting the cancer journey of a number of people and raising money to fight cancer.

My fundraising has been moving very slowly so I’d appreciate a hand to boost the tally to help those battling cancer. If you’re in Australia your donation is tax deductible. Even if you’re not, the work that Cancer Council WA is doing is making a difference throughout the world through some highly regarded research projects. Just head to the webpage and click donate. My aim is to raise $1000 for Cancer Council WA.

If you want to welcome our team home, please be at 98five Sonshine FM in Murray Street, Como, by 4:00 p.m. on Saturday the 20th of October.

Along the way I’ll be broadcasting my Morning Cafe radio program from a different town each morning.

Monday 15th October 2012:
Broadcasting from Albany 9 – 12
Albany to Cranbrook 91 km

Tuesday 16th October 2012:
Broadcasting from Cranbrook 9 – 12
Cranbrook to Katanning 80 km

Wednesday 17th October 2012:
Broadcasting from Katanning 9 – 12
Katanning to Wagin 55 km

Thursday 18th October 2012:
Broadcasting from Wagin 9 – 12
Wagin to Pingelly 100 km

Friday 19th October 2012:
Broadcasting from Pingelly 9 – 12
Pingelly to York 87 km

Saturday 20th October 2012:
York to Perth 97 km

TOTAL: 510 km

Please help spread the word.

I’d like to ask you to share the link to this post through your blog or whatever other means you have available. At the bottom of this post are buttons for sharing the details on a range of social networks or even emailing the post to others. Just click your preferred button (or all of them) to get the word out.



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My Glamorous Media Life

March 12, 2011
by Rodney Olsen
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Working in the media is such a glamorous life.

The picture below shows me at work yesterday at the Wagin Woolorama. I broadcast my morning radio programme surrounded by sheep and alpacas. I ended up a little dusty, as did the broadcast gear.

I’ve heard about the Woolorama for years and always wanted to visit. Yesterday was my opportunity to finally be part of the event. I spoke to some very interesting people and only wish that I could have stayed longer. We drove down to Wagin very early in the morning and headed back to Perth a short while after my on-air duties finished.

Next year will be the 40th annual Wagin Woolorama and I’m hoping that one way or another I’ll get to visit the iconic event again.



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Wagin Woolorama

March 10, 2011
by Rodney Olsen
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It’s the premier sheep show of Western Australia and I’ll be there tomorrow broadcasting my morning radio programme on 98.5 Sonshine FM.

The Wagin Woolorama is on tomorrow and Saturday, the 11th and 12th of March, and is one of Western Australia’s largest Agricultural Shows.

Woolorama – what is in the name?

Wagin Woolorama came in to being in 1972. After a trip to Dowerin Field Days, in those days Dowerin was just machinery demonstrated in a paddock, Malcolm Edward from the Wagin Agricultural Society realised that Wagin needed to have its own feature.

The strength of Wagin was in its Merino and Wool industry. A competition for school children was held and two boys came up with the same name. Peter Jenkin (9) and Mark English (10) both suggested the name Woolorama and they won $5.00 for their efforts when The Wagin Agricultural Show became Wagin Woolorama.

Wagin is a town and shire in the Great Southern region of Western Australia, approximately 225 km south-east of Perth, between Narrogin and Katanning. Its main industries are wheat and sheep farming. I’ve cycled through Wagin a few times, including the rides raising funds for the Cancer Council Western Australia last year and in 2009.

Along with all the thrills and excitement of sideshow alley and commercial operators, Woolorama also offers a range of free entertainment for our patrons’ enjoyment.

Our feature entertainment aims to provide something for all tastes and age groups, and includes live music, creative performances, interactive workshops and engaging education. While we source our performers from far and wide, Woolorama is proud to showcase the talents of local and regional performers and has assisted in the launching of many successful careers.

In 2011, Woolorama is proud to promote the “Go for 2 fruit and 5 veg” message, supported by Healthway and the Cancer Council of WA for the fourth year. Through this partnership, the Wagin Agricultural Society has worked towards a smoke-free status across the showgrounds – a first for 2011!

I’m looking forward to getting to Wagin and finally being there during the Woolorama.



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Imagine a world without cancer

November 9, 2010
by Rodney Olsen
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How different would our world be without cancer? How many people that we have deeply loved would still be with us? How much heartbreak would we have been spared?

It might not be in our grasp to relegate cancer to the history books but if we’re serious about it, we can help with research that may help that eventually happen and we can help those who are currently on a journey with cancer.

From this Monday I’ll be joined by ten other cyclists for a ride from Albany to Perth, honouring those who have battled cancer and the many more who have journeyed alongside a loved one who has faced this terrible disease. I’ll broadcast my morning radio programme on 98.5 Sonshine FM from a different town each morning before we jump on our bikes to ride to our next destination.

As well as getting ready to cycle over 500 kilometres we’re all raising money for Cancer Council Western Australia and so while you may not be able to join our ride you can certainly help us reach our fundraising goals.

The team is hoping to raise over $15 000 for Cancer Council WA.

Can I ask you to consider donating right now to Cancer Council WA to help those facing cancer? I know that not everyone can afford to a huge amount so please feel free to give whatever you can. Every amount of $2 or above is tax deductible in Australia and will make a difference for so many.

You can donate directly by following this link. The link will take you directly to the Cancer Council’s secure site.

Monday 15th November 2010:
Broadcasting from Albany 9 – 12
Albany to Cranbrook 91 km

Tuesday 16th November 2010:
Broadcasting from Cranbrook 9 – 12
Cranbrook to Katanning 80 km

Wednesday 17th November 2010:
Broadcasting from Katanning 9 – 12
Katanning to Wagin 55 km

Thursday 18th November 2010:
Broadcasting from Wagin 9 – 12
Wagin to Pingelly 100 km

Friday 19th November 2010:
Broadcasting from Pingelly 9 – 12
Pingelly to York 87 km

Saturday 20th November 2010:
York to Perth 97 km

TOTAL: 510 km

Help spread the word.

I’d also ask you to share the link to this post through your blog or whatever other means you have available. At the bottom of this post are buttons for sharing the details on StumbleUpon, Twitter, Facebook, Delicious, Digg Reddit or even emailing the post to others. Just click your preferred button (or all of them) to get the word out.



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Cycling to fight cancer

October 16, 2009
by Rodney Olsen
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daffodil.jpg(I really need your help to get the word out about this. Please read and act on the ‘Help spread the word’ section of this post.)

It all begins tomorrow. I’ll be one of seven cyclists who will start riding from Perth to Albany, a distance of over 500 km. It’s all for a cause that touches most of our lives.

We don’t like to talk about cancer so we can start believing that we’re alone in facing its cold hand. The reality is that since I’ve started talking to others about it I’ve only encountered one person who hasn’t been personally affected by cancer.

Back in February my wife’s sister passed away at the age of 41 from cancer. It wasn’t the first time that our family had journeyed with loved ones facing cancer.

I believe that it’s time to give people who have been touched by the many forms of this terrible disease a chance to tell their story.

Each morning for a week I’ll be sharing cancer stories on my 98.5 Sonshine FM radio programme before hopping onto my bike just after midday to cycle to the next town.

Cycling to make a difference.

During the ride we’ll be raising money for Cancer Council Western Australia. I’ve spent some time checking out the services they provide and I can assure you that their work is absolutely vital.

Click here if you’d like to donate through a secure website. Your donation will make a big difference, no matter how big or small.

Help spread the word.

I need a huge favour. I’m begging you to share the link to this post through your blog or whatever other means you have available. To make it easy you can simply click the following links to share on Facebook or Twitter.

Here’s the itinerary:

Saturday 17th October 2009: Perth to York – 97km

Sunday 18th October 2009: Rest Day

Monday 19th October 2009: York to Pingelly – 87 km

Tuesday 20th October 2009: Pingelly to Wagin – 100 km

Wednesday 21st October 2009: Wagin to Katanning – 55 km

Thursday 22nd October 2009: Katanning to Cranbrook – 80 km

Friday 23rd October 2009: Cranbrook to Albany – 91 km

TOTAL: 510 km

If you’d like to donate towards a wonderful cause, just click this link.



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