JONES BIDS FAREWELL TO AIRWAVES
AFTER 35 years of dogmatic, thunderous and determined radio commentary, Alan Jones has signed off from life on the Australian airwaves on a tender note, saying he hoped his breakfast musings had provided “stepping stones” for listeners.
Jones, 79, called time on his 2GB radio slot at 9am yesterday before playing his decadesold theme song, Gloria, by late US singer Laura Branigan.
Broadcasting from his Fitzroy
Falls home in the NSW Southern Highlands, Jones dedicated his final program to his “loyal, supportive and sometimes critical” listeners and thanked the producers and technicians who made his show possible.
In his final remarks, the former Wallabies coach quoted US poet Robert Lee Sharpe, saying all people throughout their lives build a “stumbling block or a stepping stone”.
“Therein I think lies the challenge – do we provide for one another stumbling blocks or stepping stones? I hope that over 35 years we provided some stepping stones,” Jones said.
“Together in spirit always, but for now, goodbye.”
Jones this month announced he was retiring on the advice of his doctors after decades of early-morning starts to prepare for his threehour program. He is expected to continue his role as a News Corp columnist.
AN ELDERLY man who vanished in Tasmania’s harsh southwest wilderness has been declared dead by a coroner who highlighted a woeful preparation to go hiking in the area.
James Hugh McLean, 76, set off for a month-long solo walk in the South West National Park in November 2018 but never returned.
In findings published yesterday, coroner Simon Cooper found Mr McLean had inadequate wet weather gear and was not carrying a personal locator beacon. “I am satisfied to the requisite legal standard that Mr McLean is dead,” Mr Cooper wrote.