The Local Paper - Wednesday, September 6, 2017 - Page 9
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Death of 3DB radio legend Don Kinsey
● Don Kinsey as 3DB program manager in 1973 ■ We lost a good man and friend last week. Don Kinsey, 86, of Eltham, died after a public life as a broadcaster, mentor to many, and a community servant. Don passed away on Tuesday last week (Aug. 29) after a recent encounter with prostate cancer. For me, the timing was a shock. He and I had spoken by phone only five days earlier, and Don was bravely staring down his illness. Don Kinsey started his professional life as a mechanical engineer, leaving in 1956 to pursue a career in radio. Don's decision would lead him to be appointed a Member (AM) of the Order of Australia in 2008 for service to the community through public speaking programs and a range of executive roles with charitable, child health care and educational organisations. Don was a broadcaster and senior executive at the former Radio 3DB in Melbourne for 20 years and a relieving newsreader with HSV Channel 7. A further period of 20 years from 1976 he spent as Director of Public Affairs at Melbourne's Royal Children's Hospital and prior to his alleged retirement in 1996, he enjoyed his role as the 'voice and face' of the hospital. During his early years, Don was awarded a Conservatorium scholarship and studied voice production and singing. He founded 'Communicators Melbourne' in 1972, providing courses in effective speaking and business presentation. Don was Chief Commentator at the Royal Melbourne Show for many years. One of his passions was motor
● Don Kinsey at the twioe-yearly Survivors luncheon sport and Don was part of the Grand compering by saying, 'Take your partPrix historical garage team for more ners for the barn dance’, etc. “I became associated with the than a dozen years. He did TV commentary on the band 'Keynotes'. Each year they played at a guest house in Phillip Iscars as they drove the circuit. Don was rebuilding a 1969 land called 'Erehwon' ('Nowhere' Midget MG that he bought for his spelt backwards) and we provided 60th birthday. He also had a 1975 XJ the entertainment. “The owner was usually the 6 Jaguar. In 2013, Don told Mark Richard- compere and in 1955 he announced son of the Melbourne Observer about that I would be the compere at New changing lanes from mechanical en- Year's Eve concert. People commented that I should be on radio. gineering to radio? “I called the Studio Manager at “As a young man I helped at the dances at our church in Hartwell. I 3DB who said he liked the sound of voice but commented I had a terhad a big voice and practised my rible Australian accent. “He suggested I buy the book The Phonetics of English Pronunciation. I read it, practised it and called him back. He offered me a job which lasted for the next 20 years. “Maurice Callard, John Eden and Geoff McComas all gave me a hand and put me on track. After a couple of years I was made supervisor of 3LK - our country station in the Wimmera that broadcast from the Flinders St studios. “I progressed to Program Manager, to Studio Manager and then to Senior Executive. I preferred management and teaching to performing. “Whilst at 3DB people would ask ● Don Kinsey in his 3DB-3LK days, returning from Darwin
● Don Kinsey with 3DB colleague Denis Scanlan me where they could learn to do what use 3DB. He said, 'certainly, and all I did. I put my engineering hat on the staff will work for nothing’. and started asking questions and did Don Kinsey was a proud Freesome study of what we did in terms mason for 60 years. He was of performance. What we did was honoured with the rank of Past Grand speak naturally rather than trying to Tyler, and was one of only half-asound like radio announcers.” dozen to receive the Grand Communicators Melbourne Master’s Order of Service. helped many with a professional Over the past month or so, Don style of presentation. has sworn his fellow Order of SerDon volunteered with assisting vice recipients to secrecy, not wishpeople with public speaking, and ing for his health problems to be devoted countless hours in helping widely known. young people. He was a member of The Dia“The first thing you think of is mond Valley Lodge of Freemasons 'what is the subject of my talk.' Next Victoria. you think, 'what words will illustrate Don Kinsey quoted American the subject?' Then, 'how can I make poet Longfellow in his 2013 interthese words sound effective?' Most view with Mark Richardson: “The people concentrate on the subject. lives of great men all remind us we They don't think about how they can make our lives sublime and desound.” parting leaves behind us footprints Don Kinsey recalled his radio in the sands of time.” days with fondness: “Meeting people I will miss our chats. Several from all walks of life in all sorts of years ago Don asked me to be guest situations. speaker at the ‘44 Club’, a group of “In those days on-air guys had to former senior members of The Herdo everything. Call the footy in the ald & Weekly Times Ltd. afternoon and compere a classical Amongst the gathering was vetmusic concert at night. Also getting eran broadcaster, Dan Webb, who involved in the Good Friday Appeal Don used to also transport to the was fantastic.” twice-yearly Survivors group of He had a passion for the Appeal: media veterans, to which we both “In 1942 four reporters from the belonged. Sporting Globe suggested changing Don Kinsey will be missed by the Appeal to Good Friday from its many. He made the world a better usual October date. place. “They went to see Sir Keith Sincere condolences to Don’s Murdoch and asked if they could wife, Margot.
● With then-fiancee Margot Harry. 1967