The 1995 Young Farmer of the Year, and the man responsible for backing the show from day one through SouthFert (later became Ballance Agri-Nutrients). He pays homage to The Country’s legacy and remembers the legendary Christmas parties of the early years, saying “Thank goodness social media wasn’t around back then”.
Don Carson:
The Wool Board’s PR man from 1993-2000 and our second-to-longest serving correspondent. He commends Mackay for ignoring every sales rep who told him there was no commercial future in rural broadcasting.
Graeme Smith and Tim Myers:
The former marketing manager for Ballance Agri-Nutrients and the former chief executive of Norwood - both instrumental in getting the show nationwide - comment on the importance of maintaining friendships outside of business.
Murray Deaker:
The self-proclaimed star of our Sunday Sports Show in 1994 reminisces about being on air with the team he used to refer to affectionately as “the Hayseeds from Gore”.
Chris Russell:
The Country’s Australian correspondent is also the longest-serving since 1994 - only missing one interview in 2004. However, he had a good excuse - he’d had a heart attack the day before and his wife wouldn’t let him talk on air.
Listen below: