Riding with Robbie

In this episode, Robbie chats with John Gardner, who was born in Corryong and educated in Albury before heading overseas to pursue his tennis dreams. His sporting career took him across Europe and the United States, where his achievements included reaching the second round of the US Open and winning the US Amateur Grass Court Championship. After a successful career in tennis as both a player and c...

In this episode Robbie speaks with Diana Johnston, the Visitors Services Officer at the Bonegilla Migrant Centre and Tim Petts an avid Football Guernsey collector. The pair have played a significant part in a brand new exhibition that has opened at the Bonegilla Migrant Centre called “Assimilation through Sport”, highlighting the role sport has played at Bonegilla since the arrival of...

In this episode we chat with the remarkable Peter Straw – aged 94 and still sharp as a tack! Peter was born in India and moved to England aged 2 - which was home for the next 16 yrs. Then the family moved to Australia, settling in Holbrook from 1950 to 1972 before heading north to Armidale for the next 44 yrs. In this time Peter witnessed WW2 fighter pilot battles over the skies of London, s...

In this episode we speak with Sadie Moffitt who after being born and educated in Wyong, then completed her teaching at East Sydney Tech College where she received her first appointment to Albury where she met her husband Bill. Together they had three children all in and around Sadie completing almost 4 decades of teaching across the Riverina. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this instalment of Riding with Robbie I speak with one of Australia’s leading diver and hyperbaric trainers Des Walters – who has had five decades of experience in this field working on major projects across Australia and the World. Along the way Des also ran a successful Refrigeration business in Albury as well as Descend Underwater Training Centre where the company has received na...

In this episode we chat with the former Mayor of Holbrook Shire Joan Parker - Joan was born in Heywood, Victoria before her family moved to Echuca for a decade, then a move to Albury where her father was a Minister - Joan on completing her Nursing fell in love with a Holbrook farmer Henry Parker - four children and 62 yrs of marriage Joan time in Council at Holbrook coincided with the Otway Submar...

In this episode of Riding with Robbie, we speak with Gary Butcher, born and bred in Sydney, growing up with a love of the coastal life and its offerings – after walking into the Darrel Lea Factory asking for a job as a 17 yr old, he walked out 45 yrs later in a career that took him around Australia and parts of the world – a man who loved to travel Gary and his wife Mandy have been all...

In this episode, we catch up with a genuine character of the Border, Bill Regan. Moving to Albury in 1976 after growing up in Matong, Bill has been a wool classer, farmer, concreter, truck driver, funeral director, entertainment promoter and a passionate Albury Tigers administrator. His greatest achievement, however, is his 58 years of marriage to Lyn. Bill has a great story and is as true blue Au...

In this episode we speak with a very familiar voice on the border airwaves – the Radio 2AY Breakfast Announcer Matt Griffith – born in England and moving to Australia aged 8 yrs Matt has worked in most lived and worked in cities across Australia before settling into life on the border in 2006 where he's made a life with his wife Riley-Rose and son Jamie. See omnystudio.com/listener for...

In this episode of Riding with Robbie thanks to Kirinari Community Services , Robbie speaks with Vice President and Life Member of the Albury & District Historical Society, Greg Ryan. They discuss the history of the iconic Albury Railway Station – Greg gives a wonderful reflection on the construction of the tracks in NSW and Victoria and the issues it created, the buildings and the peopl...

An extraordinary story of survival, resilience, and new beginnings! This week on Riding With Robbie thanks to Kirinari Community Services , Robbie speaks with Chrissy, who grew up in Holland during WWII under Nazi occupation. Chrissy opens up about her childhood memories, what it took to survive in a war-torn country and her family's incredible journey across the world to build a new life in Austr...

In this episode we speak with one of life's true gentlemen, Des Lonergan – born in Yarrawonga and working in many jobs including banking, broadcasting, real estate and a celebrant – Des has also served his community in many volunteering roles and is a current board member of the Ovens and Murray Football Netball League. Married to Maureen for over 40 yrs with four children and half a d...

In this episode we speak to Gary Treeve OAM who served in the Australian Army for 20 years that included a stint in Vietnam. Married his Japanese wife Midori, six weeks after meeting her and 55 yrs later are still happily married living in Wodonga and having 2 daughters. Gary on leaving the Army became a Welding and OH&S Teacher at Wodonga TAFE and has also spent almost 4 decades Volunteering...

In episode 38 of Riding with Robbie thanks to Kirinari Community Services , Robbie catches up with one of the most familiar and loved voices heard across the airwaves in Albury Wodonga and in particular, his beloved 2AY. Andy Walker started his first radio job in Albury back in 1975 – full of charisma and energy, he made radio fun, and I’m sure you will find this chat the same! See omn...

In this episode of Riding with Robbie thanks to Kirinari Community Services , we make the drive out to the Bonegilla Migrant Centre, where Robbie speaks with Diana Johnston about the National Heritage listed facility, which was first home for 320,000 migrants and refugees from over 40 different countries. It was the first, the largest and longest operating centre in Australia and a genuine jewel i...

In this episode Robbie chats with Shirley Smith who as an 8 yr old child living in Sydney gives a fascinating recap on the night Japanese Submarines created chaos in Sydney Harbour. Shirley also speaks about her family experiences from the Boer War and WW1 and how she created the Albury Wodonga “Shirley Club”. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In Episode 25 of Riding With Robbie thanks to Kirinari Community Services , Robbie speaks with Joy Grinham. Born in Melbourne, Joy moved to the border in 1976, which was the start of a love affair with the mighty Murray River! Joy has paddled all parts of the Murray and is a leader in the environmental protection of the river. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Riding with Robbie thanks to Kirinari Community Services , Robbie chats to Graham Hosier who after being born to English parents in New Zealand, met his wife to be Kerry in London and then followed her home to Corowa where he has worked and served the local community for over four decades. Graham’s a Life member of the Corowa Rutherglen Football Netball Club and “Kiw...

No matter how far you fall, life can always be turned around. In this moving episode of Riding With Robbie thanks to Kirinari Community Services , Robbie sits down with Mark Walsham, a Men’s Mental Health Advocate and Mentor who has found a powerful purpose in helping others. Mark openly reflects on a life filled with extreme ups and downs—including prison, drug and alcohol abuse, and...

How does a boy born in post-WW2 Holland become an Australian and World Champion in the equestrian sport of Tent Pegging? In this week’s episode of Riding With Robbie thanks to  Kirinari Community Services , Robbie catches up with the remarkable Jake Van Dorssen. After moving to Australia with his family, Jake completed his plumbing apprenticeship and went on to run a highly successful b...

Three decades of making a difference. This week, Riding With Robbie for Kirinari Community Services is highlighting the incredible Maddy Dobson. After moving from England to Albury with her family, Maddy spent 30 years transforming our local community. From supporting cancer patient housing to tackling violence against women—and even volunteering in overseas prisons and detention centres bef...

In this week’s episode of Riding With Robbie thanks to Kirinari Community Services , Robbie sits down with Andrew Dear, a teacher and educator with the Victorian Education Department. In March of this year, Andrew, along with his father and sister, successfully completed the legendary Kokoda Track. Andrew shares what it was like to experience firsthand the brutal conditions faced by Australi...

From Melbourne to Zimbabwe, South Korea, Ethiopia, and finally... Albury! In this week’s episode of Riding With Robbie thanks to Kirinari Community Services , we catch up with Noel Barnden. Born and raised in Melbourne, Noel’s career as a teacher took him all over Victoria and across the globe before he made his way to Albury during the pandemic. Now, he's a familiar face and a regular...

This week on Riding With Robbie thanks to Kirinari Community Services , we’re sitting down with Alan Warner. Born in Pakenham in 1948, Alan eventually made the move to Albury with his wife, Gloria, and their three young children. Over five decades later, Alan and Gloria are still going strong (55 years and counting! ), and his commitment to our community hasn't wavered. It’s a beautifu...

In this week’s episode of Riding With Robbie thanks to Kirinari Community Services , we’re catching up with Albury City Councillor Phil Bullivant. From serving in the Defence Force to building a successful business career, Phil’s journey is nothing short of remarkable. Beyond the office, he’s a dedicated community fundraiser, a mentor, and a family man celebrating 33 years...