Don Kinsey AM
‘Compere Porch Thoughts’
On a ‘Vox Pop’ assignment at the 2013 Grand Prix, I was introduced to Don Kinsey AM by a mutual friend Barry Minster. I couldn’t work out why at the time, but directly after I interviewed Don about compering the 60th anniversary of the 1953 Australian Grand Prix Cars exhibition, I couldn’t shake Don’s familiarity.
With a little ‘Google’ research and a phone call to Barry the following day, I came to learn that Don left his profession as a mechanical engineer in 1956 to pursue a career in radio. Don’s decision would lead him to be appointed a Member (AM) of the Order of Australia in 2008 for service to the community through public speaking programs and a range of executive roles with charitable, child health care and educational organisations.
Don was a broadcaster and Senior Executive at the former Radio 3DB in Melbourne for twenty years and a relieving newsreader with HSV Channel 7. A further period of 20 years from 1976 he spent as Director of Public Affairs at Melbourne's Royal Children's Hospital and prior to his retirement in 1996, (although he claims to be only retired from gainful employment), he enjoyed his role as the ‘voice and face’ of the hospital.
During his early years, Don was awarded a Conservatorium scholarship and studied voice production and singing. He founded ‘Communicators Melbourne’ in 1972 which still provides courses in effective speaking and business presentation.
At his home in Eltham, Don’s voice became evident after explaining that I may have heard him for many years as the Chief Commentator at the Royal Melbourne Show. The penny dropped!
What is the historic car exhibition at the Grand Prix and how are you involved?
I have been part of the historical garage team for the past 11 or so years. I do TV commentary on the cars as they drive the circuit. The exhibit showcases historic racing and sports cars from the 20s to the mid 70s. A number of the cars on display were actual competitors in the first Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park in 1953.
Do you have any historic cars yourself tucked away somewhere?
I am rebuilding a 1969 Midget MG that I bought for my 60th birthday 22 years ago. I also have a 1975 XJ 6 Jaguar.
What encouraged you to change lanes from mechanical engineering to radio?
As a young man I helped at the dances at our church in Hartwell. I had a big voice and practiced compering by saying, ‘Take your partners for the barn dance, etc.’ I became associated with the band ‘Keynotes’. Each year they played at a guest house in Phillip Island called ‘Erehewon’ (‘Nowhere’ spelt backwards) and we provided the entertainment. The owner was usually the compere and in 1955 he announced that I would be the compere at New Year’s Eve concert. People commented that I should be on radio.
How did you go about breaking into radio?
I called the Studio Manager at 3DB who said he liked the sound of my voice but commented I had a terrible Australian accent. He suggested I buy the book – ‘The Phonetics of English Pronunciation’. I read it, practiced it and called him back. He offered me a job which lasted for the next 20 years
Did you go straight to announcing on-air?
Yes. Maurice Callard, John Eden and Jeff Macomas all gave me a hand and put me on track. After a couple of years I was made supervisor of 3LK – our country station in the Wimmera that broadcast from the Flinders Street studios. I progressed to Program Manager, to Studio Manager and then to Senior Executive. I preferred management and teaching to performing.
How did you incorporate your teaching skills at 3DB?
Whilst at 3DB people would ask me where they could learn to do what I did. I put my engineering hat on and started asking questions and did some study of what we did in terms of performance. What we did was speak naturally rather than trying to sound like radio announcers.
You took this to a new level through founding ‘Communicators Melbourne’ in 1972. What was the program and your class teachings based on?
The first thing you think of is ‘what is the subject of my talk.’ Next you think, ‘what words will illustrate the subject?’ Then, ‘how can I make these words sound effective?’ Most people concentrate on the subject. They don’t think about how they sound.
How can you make the sound of your voice more effective?
There are only five things you can do. Use tone, tune, pace, pause and volume as appropriate. How important is the pace of words spoken? People cannot absorb more than 120 words a minute. That’s the pace that the really great NEWS readers like the late Brian Naylor, Sir Eric Pearce and Mal Walden read the news.
What were some of your career highlights at 3DB?
Meeting people from all walks of life in all sorts of situations. In those days on-air guys had to do everything. Call the footy in the afternoon and compere a classical music concert at night. Also getting involved in the Good Friday Appeal was fantastic.
How did the Appeal start at 3DB before televised on HSV7 in 1957?
In 1942 four reporters from the Sporting Globe suggested changing the Appeal to Good Friday from its usual October date. They went to see Sir Keith Murdoch and asked if they could use 3DB. He said, ‘certainly, and all the staff will work for nothing.’
Some of your charitable works include the Good Friday Appeal, the Mazda Foundation, a founding Committee Member of the Ronald McDonald House and a proud Freemason of 54 years. What do you think makes a successful fundraising campaign?
The art of fundraising is the first three letters in the word – F.U.N. and you must always give back to the people who support you. The Good Friday Appeal for example is successful for two reasons. First, the fun comes from all the activities on Good Friday and people have fun raising money. The second is people getting something back by seeing the success of the Hospital’s work. They can say, “we helped achieve that.”
What is your Porch Thought For The Day:
“American poet Longfellow stated; ‘The lives of great men all remind us we can make our lives sublime and departing leaves behind us footprints in the sands of time.”