GUEST SPEAKER

 
Chairman Ian Cairns introduced our guest speaker, Peter Headen, Manager of 3YB Coast FM Community Radio. Peter described how Ace Radio, owned by the Handbury family, has expanded from 15 staff 17 years ago when he started to its current 34 staff. Peter has been an active member of the local community for over 17 years, committing his time to a number of groups including:

  • Peter's Project - Peter has been a passionate supporter of Peter's Project since its inception and through his dedication to this cause Peter has facilitated conversation and action by local and federal governments in getting this project closer to being a reality for the South West Community. Recently Peter has become Chairman of Peter's Project Target $5 Million Appeal.

  • Club Warrnambool and the Business Achievement Awards - Peter is committed to promoting and supporting Warrnambool's business sector and has been instrumental in the establishment of these initiatives which promote and highlight the amazing success of local businesses in the region.

  • Community Groups - Rotary, Lions, Fun 4 Kids, Homemade Jam Concert, Relay for Life, Light the Night, Southwest Games, Rotary House, Father of the Year, Chaplaincy Appeal, Careers Expos, Standing Tall, Wunta, 32 Hour Challenge, Hampden Football League are just some of the community organisations Peter has provided assistance to over his years as General Manager of 3YB and Coast FM.

  • White Ribbon Day - Ambassador

  • WRAD and Emmanual College - Board member for many years.

  • Melbourne to Warrnambool Bike Race - committed manpower, advertising time and money in making sure this event is broadcast to the wider community.

Peter recently received the Citizen of the Year award on Australia Day 2013.
 
So after difficult start in Warrnambool 17 years ago, with a family reluctant to move from Horsham to Warrnambool, not knowing anyone in Warrnambool, and receiving bad press because of his new role with a Ace Radio, Peter has come a long way. Through hard work and dedicated community involvement, Peter has become highly regarded in Warrnambool and has grown to love the City, its people and has expressed a desire to retire here where all his his family has now settled.
 
President John Hunt thanked Peter for his interesting speech and presented him with a certificate for a mosquito net for a needy family in Papua New Guinea.