Port Mac Goss: John O’Callaghan

JOHN O’Callaghan from Cruze FM (formerly Super Radio) has notched up over 50 years in radio, beginning work as a 15-year-old at 2UE in Sydney alongside his famous father Gary.

He gained his first on-air role at 2KO in Newcastle and then worked in newsrooms and in production at 2KA Penrith, 2NZ Inverell, 2WG Wagga, 2CS Coffs, 4AK Toowoomba and 2GZ Orange before finally arriving in Port Macquarie to start work on Australia Day in the year 2000.

Now, 25 years later as Cruze FM’s station manager, John is enjoying radio more than ever, working alongside a small but talented team.

John, in 50-plus years of radio, you have interviewed a lot of well-known celebrities. Who have been the standouts?

John Howard was a good interview and he was a nice gentleman who was always willing to answer the question asked, even if it was “I don’t know.” Quite often, the larger the star, the nicer the person is! So many big names have passed my microphone like Jerry Lewis, Fleetwood Mac and a heap of Aussie legends. I grew up with Johnny O’Keefe (J.O.K.), Col Joye, Kamahl and many others just dropping in to see Dad. But it is a toss up for my all time favourite entertainer, between Shirl (Strachan) from Skyhooks and Jon English. There have also been a lot of Australian sporting superstars but probably the best and most knowledgeable interview was Johnny Tapp.

Your father, Gary O’Callaghan, was an absolute legend. Can you tell us about his famous on-air character Sammy Sparrow?

My father created Sammy Sparrow in 1956 as a replacement for Gerald the Grasshopper on Russ Walkington’s show as Russ kept on moving stations. My dad was the voice of Sammy Sparrow who had to have conversations with himself. He could be really funny when he would ask Sammy a question that neither knew the answer to. Sammy Sparrow could get away with saying things on the radio that would normally cause politicians to sue, but no one wanted to be seen suing a bird. One of the funniest sights was one day my father was having a coughing fit. He asked Sammy to fill in for him then realised how stupid that was.

You and your wife Mandy landed in Port Macquarie 25 years ago, so I suppose you are both “nearly” locals. Give our readers an insight into your life off the air.

Mandy and I are both hard workers but in our downtime we work hard at relaxing. We really enjoy getting away on holidays and discovering new places. We also enjoy spending time on the water as it is very soothing.

In 50 years of radio you have played thousands of great songs. Do you have a top five?

Counting down from number five:

Spirit in the Sky – Norman Greenbaum

We Didn’t Start The Fire – Billy Joel

Evie (Part 1,2 & 3) – Stevie Wright

Bow River (live) – Cold Chisel

Bohemian Rhapsody – Queen

These songs can change weekly!

You obviously enjoy your job, do you have any retirement plans or is it a case of one broadcast at a time?

Like all radio positions it is one day at a time. Talking to yourself in a studio is not physically demanding so whilst my mind still works, so will I.

By Dave ‘Scoop’ LAZARUS