RADIO personality Mark Strachan can add an Order of Australia medal to a growing list of achievements he has ticked off relating to his broadcasting career.
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Mr Strachan was awarded the honour for his service to broadcast media and to the community of Port Macquarie.
It might surprise some people, but underneath the larrikin exterior is a humble man who would much prefer to deflect attention off himself.
As part of his community involvement, Strachan has been a member of the Port Macquarie Surf Life Saving Club since 1991, judged the Hastings Sports Awards and co-ordinated local fundraising and community activities for many years.
“I’m always astounded with people from this part of the coast and their generosity,” he said.
“We’ve had some crackers over the years; I’ve done hundreds of trivia nights and awards and all that type of stuff where people give others a hand. They’re always great fun to be involved with and you know most of the people there.
He labelled his position as an emergency broadcaster during the 2001, 2009 and 2013 Mid-North Coast floods as one of the highlights of his working life.
“You’re doing 12-hour shifts, you’re being the catalyst for that information that gets out and you have people ringing in with information that can help people in rescue services.”
He said during his involvement with many community activities there was one idea which he didn’t expect to get off the ground, but when it did it was an overwhelming success.
“In 1995 before everyone did them we did a nude calendar and everyone just thought it was going to be another one of my lame brain schemes and it’d never get up and running,” Strachan said. “We sold over a thousand copies in seven days and bought 90 rescue tubes for surf clubs up and down the coast.”
Living near the coast meant Strachan has always had an interest in the surf and he encouraged anyone new to the area to join their surf club because it was a good way of meeting new people, while also helping out.
“The best thing I’ve learnt was that if you want to feel good, do something for someone else,” he said. “I’d recommend joining a surf club because you do help people and it’s just a great way of life.”
paul.jobber@fairfaxmedia.com.au
