WHAT’S NEXT FOR DAVE
NOW the show is over, the lingering question remains: what next for popular radio veteran Dave Noonan?
After 25 years in radio, Noonan’s final on-air moments yesterday were thick with tears, laughs and job offers from politicians.
The popular Triple M host, whose show has been axed, said he would take a breather before jumping into the next chapter of his career.
He said he was open to suggestions, especially a role involving working with the community, but he was “not sure” about the path ahead.
“There have been a lot of things in the community that I’ve had the privilege to be part of,” Noonan said after his final breakfast broadcast.
“I have a lot of passions related to the community. So I will just be interested to see what pops up and what feels right.”
In the final minutes of his show yesterday, Triple M broadcast tributes from community leaders and courting politicians.
Labor leader Rebecca White said Hobart would miss his crazy calls and fundraising.
“I’m so sad that you’ll no longer be on the radio and I know thousands of people across Tasmania are going to miss you,” Ms White said.
“If it’s true that you’re interested in politics you should give me a call, the Honourable Dave Noonan MP has a really nice ring to it.”
Noonan has previously expressed an interest in local government.
Liberal Speaker Sue Hickey quipped that Noonan deserved a statue.
“I can’t imagine a Hobart without Dave Noonan — what are we going to do without his terrible impersonations and double entendres?” she said.
A crowd of diehard Noonan fans gathered from 6am yesterday to say goodbye to the radio host during his final broadcast, which was aired live from Co-op Toyota at North Hobart.
Many were incredulous that an era in Hobart radio was at an end.
“He’s been on the radio forever,” said fan Dianne Hazi.
“I listened to him when I used to take the kids to school and now I listen to him taking the grandkids to school,” she said.
Some in the crowd of about 80 were angry and emotional about Triple M’s decision to take Noonan off air, and many left in tears.
“It’s ridiculous. I’m really angry, a lot of people are angry,” said Dawn Robertson.
Noonan told fans he was “heartbroken”, and his co-host Al Plath declared the show a “cry-fest”.
In the 25 years that Noonan has been the Triple M morning host he has raised $337,557 for Give Me 5 for Kids, bringing the total raised since he began spearheading fundraising efforts in 2009 to well over $3.5 million.
Southern Cross Austereo announced recently the Dave Noonan Show with Al Plath had been axed. The station has not explained the decision beyond saying they are taking a “change in direction”.
An announcement on a replacement for Noonan will not be known for several weeks, a spokeswoman said.