The Wayne and Sam Show

Blog by our Ambassador – Sam Valavanis

Some of you who know me, especially those I know personally, will know that, for a while now, I’ve had an interest in becoming a radio presenter. It’s been something I’ve been wanting to do for at least the last few years now, and something I hope to one day make a career out of, if I’m lucky enough. So far I’ve had several amazing opportunities offered to me in the world of radio and broadcasting, one of which happened earlier this year.

I was very fortunate to receive a co-hosting spot on the all-80s radio station My88, exclusive to the iHeartRadio app. Members of The A List attending last year’s gala for the Luke Priddis Foundation, an autism-focused organisation located in western Sydney, bid on it and won at the auction that night, with me in mind, knowing I’d love the opportunity. And since our whole family is addicted to 80s music (having been raised on it from an early age), the offer was too good to pass up.

Living in Melbourne, this meant I had to travel up to Sydney to do the show. I went up with my dad on the overnight train, which for me, as you may have guessed, was an exciting enough experience in itself. Dad and I had planned our own week-long getaway, spending the first night in the west where the show would be broadcast, then heading back to the city for the next four days to do some sight-seeing and fun activities. I’d also done plenty of research about the different trains and other rail and ferry transport before we left home to make sure I’d be fully prepared, as well as so I knew all there was to know about Sydney’s fascinating transport network.
At the studio I was greeted by the team, including Wayne, the host of the show who I was co-hosting with that morning. Also in attendance were Brittany from the Luke Priddis Foundation, who I had the pleasure of interviewing on air, and Madeleine from The A List, who was there to capture all the details with plenty of photos and videos. I was very nervous since it was my first official radio hosting gig, but Wayne assured me it would all go well and I’d get used to it very quickly.

Finally the big moment had arrived, and it was time to appear on my first ever radio show as a co-host. I’d done plenty of interviews on radio before about my life and what I’ve been through, but I’d never officially presented a show before. As it turned out, I did much better than I expected for my first go, and was very proud of how it all went. And it seems everyone else, especially Wayne, were as well, judging by their reactions.
Along with the interview of Brittany, I also got to chat with one of the members of the station who Wayne talks to on the show every morning. Wayne also got me to back-announce some songs and say some lines he gave me before a few of the segments.
I had also been asked by the station to pick a top three of my favourite 80s songs several weeks prior to be played on that show, which was great fun to do but also very hard since there are just too many amazing songs from that decade. The A List, my role as an ambassador and my experience as a blind and autistic person were also mentioned, and finally I got to close out the show with my own one-liner. Overall, it was an incredible experience and one I’ll never forget.

I was truly honoured and privileged to have been granted this opportunity, and everyone I met was extremely supportive and encouraging. I hope this is my first step to becoming a full-time radio announcer, as I feel we need more people with disabilities who are able to share their stories with a wider audience. If I can be one of them, then I hope I can do my best and inspire others to feel empowered and do the same.