Rob Richardson
‘Praising Porch Thoughts’
Radio presenter Rob Richardson is young at heart and an all-round good guy, renowned for lending a hand to people in need. Rob is a proud Freemason and past president of the Altona branch of the Probus Association of Victoria still, he continues to raise awareness and much-needed funds for various charitable organisations around Melbourne.
Working with radio veteran Yvonne Lawrence for over a decade at numerous radio stations, each Monday afternoon, Rob sets off from his Porch in Altona to the Box Hill Studios to co-present on Yvonne Lawrence’s popular Life and Style program on community radio 3WBC 94.1FM - where I was invited to the studio for a live Porch Thought interview - and after the ‘ON-AIR’ light switched off, I traded places with Rob with some Porch Thought questions.
As we sat down, Rob kindly reminded me I owed $100.00 to the charity of his choice – ‘Probus’; after I set him the zany challenge to be photographed with US$1.00 bills in various locations on his recent trip to the USA. Rob informed me of almost being hit by a car on the famous Route 66 setting up one of my photo challenges. “Oops, sorry Rob!”
For each photo Rob emailed me on his trip posing with a dollar bill, Porch Thoughts sponsors, Prestige Group International generously matched dollar for dollar and in true Rob Richardson fashion, was quick to accept our donation.
It is wonderful to see you back safe from your trip Rob, what exactly happened on Route 66, all in aide of raising $1.00?
After dicing with death with a car for your photo challenge, I travelled on short sections as far as the Hoover Dam on the border of Nevada and Arizona. Later in the trip I found the sign in Adams Street Chicago marking the start of Route 66.
You literally jumped at this opportunity to raise money for Probus, what is Probus?
It’s an Association for active retirees who join together in Clubs. Its aim is to provide regular opportunities to keep minds active by expanding interests and members enjoy the fellowship of new friends. Membership is open to both men and women.
You emailed close to fifty photos holding one dollar bills, were there any odd comments from on-lookers?
Many asked, “What is that MAD Aussie doing?” - especially at the Space Needle in Seattle.
You travelled to many cities in the USA, what were a few highlights of your trip?
Meeting up with friends, visiting the Masonic Centre and Mormon Temples in Salt Lake City and skiing at Whistler were highlights. Being upgraded to the Presidential Suite in Chicago, enjoying the history in every street in Boston and visiting The World Trade Centre Memorial in New York, downtown Los Angles.
Your first job was at McEwans in Elizabeth Street Melbourne which set the scene for your Engineering Sales background before moving to Canberra for employment at J Blackwood & Son in 1975. You established the Media Department within the company, did this spark your interest in the media?
Yes when I arrived in Canberra I was staying with a local 2CC DJ friend, Con Van and it turned out I had a bigger collection of 45 RPM Rock ‘n Roll records than the station, so I quickly became a friend of all the DJ’s.
You have been involved in providing counselling assistance to various groups such as Lifeline, PCV & Suicide Help Line, how important are these community service programs to individuals?
Very important! Suicide was a taboo subject for so long, now we can discuss it quite openly enable us to give resources and help to those in need of assistance.
You met Yvonne Lawrence in 1991 through a mutual friend, working together at 3AW, 3AK and now 3WBC. How has Yvonne helped your on-air skills and presenting?
When you work with Yvonne you are always learning. Yvonne is a true professional and I am always learning. Her interview skills are probably still the best on radio today.
The Life and Style program on 3WBC is aired each Monday afternoon, what is the program essentially about?
The program is generally a conversation between friends covering all subjects which are of interest to the listeners, along with interviews from local and overseas guests.
What’s one thing you know about Yvonne, that you really shouldn’t tell me about?
Her unselfish generosity towards friends and always being there for them.
What is your most memorable interview?
Definitely the interview in March last year with the most recent Past Grand Master of Freemasonry Victoria, Vaughan Werner. He was very open and responsive to the questions asked and I’m sure he gave listeners a greater insight to Freemasonry, that it’s not a secret society and is open to all men of good standing.
You are a proud Freemason, being a member for fifty-one years at the Altona Masonic Lodge, what role do you think Freemasonry plays in a young man’s life today?
As younger men of all nationalities are joining today, we are gaining a better understanding of cultures and a common bond of fellowship.
I believe you and Yvonne are interviewing Freemasons Victoria’s new Grand Master Bob Jones at the end of this month (28 May), what is one burning question you have up your sleeve to ask him as a fellow Mason?
Where will Freemasonry be in ten, twenty and thirty years?
What is your Porch Thought of the Day?
“To show kindness and compassion especially to the elderly, remember they got there first and we are next.”