Passion ignited in Drouin
A former Drouin High School student has praised the school for igniting a sporting passion which has seen her co-host an SEN 1116 radio show.
Andrea Donaldson attended Drouin High School in the 1970s and 80s and this year has been co-hosting “Everybody’s Talking” on Sunday nights.
With SEN full of football, Ms Donaldson described the variety sports show as “trying to give other sports a go”.
Football isn’t entirely ignored but Ms Donaldson has enjoyed showcasing different sports such as badminton and fistball as well as recreational games such as giant jenga and cornhole.
“It’s anything and everything that has anything remotely to do with sport,” she said. “Any strange sport or experience. We’re all for it.”
Ms Donaldson said participating in every sport on offer at Drouin High School via its “amazing facilities” was a great base for the radio show.
“It’s really the only reason this came about. When I went there, the facilities were out of this world. If I hadn’t had that education and level of professionalism…it was pretty amazing.”
After leaving school, the daughter of locals Darryl and Gwen Donaldson worked in fashion, modelling, marketing and public relations as well as operating her own business.
However, it was only three years ago that she made the move to radio.
“It’s a good story in that at 50 you can change careers. You can try just about anything.”
She was approached to work at Mornington Peninsula’s independent station RPP FM before an opportunity to work at SEN 1116 opened in February.
Amongst her favourite guests this year have been West Gippslanders Peter Knight and Michael Scandolera of AFL and badminton fame respectively as well as MCC president Steven Smith, former AFL player Nick Dal Santo and sailing champion Tony Bull.
Now the AFL season is finished, “Everybody’s Talking” is set to move from its current 11pm to 12am timeslot to 7pm to 9pm with live shows.
“It’s a pretty interesting program, diverse and funny,” she added.