CHRISTCHURCH to CAIRO

New Zealand Listener, Volume 5, Issue 116, 12 September 1941, Page 14

CHRISTCHURCH to CAIRO

Popular 3YA Announcer Goes East

S 3YA’s announcer, A. L. Curry has listened often enough to broadcasts from overseas. Soon he will be initiating them himself. -He is being transferred by the NBS from the position of Senior Announcer in Christchurch to take over Doug. Laurenson’s job with the New Zealand Broadcasting Unit in the Middle East. Mr. Laurenson is now doing broadcasting work with the Imperial Forces there. Since radio began to grow in New Zealand, Mr. Curry’s pleasant voice has

been on the air. South Island listeners especially will miss him. Since he began at 3YA in the days of the Broadcasting Company, they have found listening to him very easy. He was an accountant (in Masterton) before he became an announcer. In 1927 he worked in Wellington for three months. He was appointed just after the opening of 2YA, and soon after was transferred. to Dunedin, His work there earned him wide popularity and the Broadcasting Company recognised his worth to the extent of appointing him Chief Announcer at 3YA, then the headquarters of the company. Other Interests He has remained there since then, with his work as his great interest, and allied interests like debating contests and oratorical competitions taking up spare time when he has not been playing golf or tennis. In Masterton he first became interested in speech, and he has busily continued that special interest ever since he made speech his job of work, However, he has made time for other interests. Tennis and golf keep him fit in Christchurch, and athletics at Masterton started him well. He once represented the Wairarapa in the harrier team under Randolph Rose.

ee ee ee eA ee Fe RAED Cee Se ne on His experiences with the New Zealand end of world-wide broadcasting have already been considerable. He announced for the first attempt at overseas broad-casting-the Dempsey-Tunney boxing match in 1927, When the first Empire transmission came through from 5SW (Chelmsford) he introduced it to New Zealand listeners, As the story developed he attended its progress. Next came Trans-Tasman flights, then the first two-way radio between New Zealand and America with Commander Byrd speaking to the New York Times. :

His experience outside the studio will be useful in the Middle East. When he began, amnouncers were expected to cover anything anywhere. He has covered racing, cricket, football-all sorts of outdoor events. His interest in the development of good speech led to the formation of the Federated Debating Societies of New Zealand in 1928, and ever since he has remained a busily interested god-parent of the movement as the only life member. Recently he married Miss Julie Brosnahan of Wellington.