By Kerrie Lush
For almost three decades, Bruce Mellett has been the heart and soul of ABC radio in the Riverland and Mallee.
But, in his own words, “the time has come”. Bruce presented his final program this morning.
Bruce’s journalistic career began in Broken Hill; and, while he always enjoyed writing, it took him a few years to get a foot in the door.
“I had 13 jobs in six years after leaving school. I drove trucks, worked for Post Master General (the precursor to Australia Post) and in the bank,” he says.
“Eventually I got a job at the Barrier Daily Truth in the advertising department and I was ghost writing sports stories.
“One day the editor pulled me aside and said I had to make a decision about what I wanted to do – journalism won out.”
ABC’s Bruce Mellett presented his final program this morning
In the mid 1980s, Broken Hill was experiencing some tough times and Bruce made the decision to look for other jobs.
He heard about an ABC job in the Riverland, applied and had the gig within a week and a half.
With wife Debbie and 18 month-old daughter Nat in tow, they moved to Renmark. Daughter Emma was born in 1988.
After five years as the news journalist, Bruce became the regional manager in 1993.
Since then, he’s been the ever-supportive boss, mentor and dad-away-from home for hundreds of up and coming news journalists, rural reporters, morning show presenters and producers – many of whom are household names.
He estimates more than 100 staff have come and gone over the 29 years he’s been in the Riverland.
Bruce holding his final 8am editorial meeting
While for many, training up so many people could be perceived as an arduous task, Bruce says it has probably kept the job fresh and interesting for him.
“There’s been a fair bit of blood, sweat and tears,” he reflects.
“But I’ve been lucky in a lot of ways. There has been some really good, talented people through here over the years.”
When asked about his most memorable stories or moments, Bruce finds it hard to narrow it down.
“Sometimes just being able to tell the story of the average Joe Blow is the most inspiring,” he says.
“The drought was probably one of the hardest times to report on. They were tough years – you felt all of the pain in the community.”
A retiring Bruce, pictured here during his final show, signs off
Bruce says retirement is likely to include a bit of travel and more time in his vineyard, but it will take a bit of adjustment.
“I’ll miss the cut and thrust, the general chit-chat in the office and the social aspect – that’s going to be hard to walk away from,” he says.
“There’s been a lot of moments of reflection this week and I’ve had a few calls from people I used to work with.
“It’s been a bit of a mixed bag – 29 years in the one spot, in many ways it’s been a labour of love – being on air, telling the stories. It’s been an interesting journey.”
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