Meet the LADIES

New Zealand Listener, Volume 1, Issue 17, 20 October 1939, Page 53

Meet the LADIES

FOR SOMETHING LIKE TEN YEARS now, Gracie Green has been one of the outstanding radio personalities in Christchurch, and in the early days of radio when stations were fewer and programmes were newer, she was probably one of the most popular women in the country. "Gracie," as the thousands of listeners to 3ZB’s Children’s Hour now know her, received her education at the Convent of Notre Dame des Missions, where she secured her higher leaving certificate. Miss Green next took lectures at Canterbury University College, her intention being to enter journalism, a profession in which her two brothers are engaged. Miss Green’s amazing success in radio was first demonstrated at 3ZC, Christchurch, where she became announcer and programme organiser, succeeding MiAllicent Jennings. Incidentally, Miss Green was associated with Bert Le Page, subeditor of the now defunct "Sun," and Esther Glen, the New Zealand authoress, on the production of a very original session for children. Later Miss Green became the first woman announcer to broadcast on short wave in the Southern Hemisphere, from a station that had a large following in : New Zealand and Australia, and received acknowledgment from as far away as Alaska. It was at this station that she inaugurated the first real woman’s session in New Zealand radio, and when -3ZC closed down she proceeded to | create a few more records at this pioneer short-wave station of the Dominion, 3ZM. It was here that she succeeded to pioneer the first morning session, the first children’s session in which juveniles participated, and announced the first Saturday night dance programme, and many other bright shows. "Gracie," as her many listeners are pleasantly aware, is now heard daily in the women’s session from 3ZB, and with the versatile " Jacko" (Jack Maybury) regularly conducts the Children’s Hour.