FIVEaa reminded of the positive impact of AM radio during a crisis

Mary's husband Ivor celebrating his 90th birthday.

Navigating through challenging times is not an easy task, made even harder for people living alone or the elderly with restricted social interaction.

AM radio, like FIVEaa, provides not only a direct and up to date source of information but it also a platform for people to tell their stories and offers a friendly voice at their end of the phone.

This was no more prevalent than with a FIVEaa listener, Mary from Christies Beach, who called through to FIVEaa’s Breakfast program with David Penberthy & Will Goodings five weeks ago.

Mary so eloquently spoke about her husband who was in a nursing home and, at that time, was not allowed to see her unwell husband in his aged care facility and she issued an on-air plea for people to “keep up the social distancing” and “get this terrible thing to end” as soon as possible.

“I have a husband who is in aged care having suffered two bad strokes,” said Mary.

“I just want to appeal to people to please keep up the social distancing, please do what they can to get this horrible thing to end, because I’m not permitted to see my husband.

“For a long time I’m not going to see my husband, and what worries me is that during this time, he could pass away and I would never have seen him.

“If I can appeal to people to please do all they can to try and get this terrible thing to end.”

The response from the South Australian public to Mary and her message was overwhelming.

FIVEaa station manager, Craig Munn, said it’s been comforting for our announcers and program teams to know that they have been there for our valued listeners.

“AM radio are in a privileged position to allow the human interest side of this pandemic to be heard and how the regulations that were put in place by our Government have impacted people.

“The feedback from our listeners has been that radio has offered them a friendly voice each day and that listening to FIVEaa has given them back some ‘normality’ in this abnormal time.”

David & Will have continued to keep in regular contact with Mary, who has, along with her husband Ivor, became friends of FIVEaa.

To share in Mary’s joy of finally being able to see her husband for his 90th birthday, the week was celebrated by all at FIVEaa and listeners who have followed Mary’s challenging journey.

“It was quite emotional for me, but Ivor took it all in his stride,” said Mary

“I guess at 90 nothing really gets to you! Once again thank you so much from both Ivor and myself. FIVEaa – you are very special people.”