Story: Karys Nella
A Curtin FM stalwart has celebrated 30 years of being on live radio.
Volunteer presenter Alan Mannings started at Curtin FM on July 3, 1981 and these days hosts the Sunday morning program, From the Vault.
The show unearths, dusts off and gives new life to rare releases from the 1950s through to the 1980s.
Mannings, 61, recalled how a glam rock encounter secured his spot on the community station.
“Being a huge Roxy Music fan, I went to see them at a media conference in Perth in 1981,” Mannings said.
“While everyone was busy grabbing the attention of Bryan Ferry, I was more interested in interviewing … guitarist Phil Manzanera.
“As it turned out, Mark Cain from Curtin FM was there and he saw me do a one-on-one interview with Phil.
“We started talking, and soon enough the story was featured on Curtin FM as a one-hour radio special.”
Mannings credited his 30-year career to a passion for news reporting and fostering relationships with the community.
“Once it gets in your blood, it gets in your blood …,” he said.
“It’s just doing something that I love.”
Curtin FM Director Quinn Glasson, who has known Mannings for the past seven years, put the announcer’s longevity in radio to his dedication to listeners and a passion for the music he presents.
“People listening to him feel like they’re listening to a friend and I think that’s why he’s had such a long career in radio,” Mr Glasson said.
During his time at Curtin FM, Mannings has been married on air, met music legends Leo Sayer and Normie Rowe, and interviewed Rolling Stones guitarist Bill Wyman.
Curtin FM has a proud 34-year history as Western Australia’s first community broadcaster.
The station is run by more than 100 regular volunteers and will soon go digital.
To listen to Mannings’ show, tune in to 100.1 or hit www.curtinfm.com.au.
