There are so many interesting people involved at Radio Blue Mountains both behind the mic and behind the scenes, that we thought we’d share their stories here on the RBM website.
Flinn Donovan is Adolescent & Family Counsellor and New Programs Co-Ordinator at MYST the Mountain Youth Services Team providing valuable, unheralded, services in our Blue Mountains community. Flinn presents MYST with Flinn on Radio Blue Mountains every Thursday afternoon. He’s also a thoroughly decent man and we are delighted to have him take part in this Meet The RBM Crew feature.
Q: Hi Flinn, thanks for taking the time to speak with us.
A: No Worries
Q: On your show’s page on the RBM website, it mentions that you are a proud Gumbaynggirr man. Does this mean that you grew up on the mid north coast of NSW, or are you from the Mountains, but the child of Gumbaynggirr people?
A: My Dad was from Nambucca Heads. He moved to Sydney after being recruited to play first-grade footy with the Bulldogs. I was born and raised in Granville.
Q: What was your early childhood like in Granville?
A: I am the youngest of five siblings, with two sisters and two brothers. We all enjoyed playing various sports and meeting new people; our house was always the place to be. It was filled with friends and laughter.
Q: Considering that your work with MYST is primarily with young people, teens and older I think, where were you living at that time in your own life?
A: As a teenager I was still living in Granville
Q: What was a typical Saturday for the teenage Flinn?
A: Sport and spending time out with my mates.
Q: Did you get into music around this time?
A: Having older siblings, I got to enjoy and experience their different taste in music. My first vinyl was Skyhooks, Led Zeppelin and the Cure. I cannot remember not being into music.
Q: What about sports? You look like you’d be quite an athletic sort of guy!
A: At school and on weekends, I played football, swam, did athletics, and rode my BMX everywhere. I also loved body surfing, getting into the bush, and climbing trees.
Q: So, when did you leave high school, and what happened next? First job? Uni? TAFE?
A: During year’s nine and ten of high school, I attended a community school that required students to work one day each week, and I went directly into that job after graduation. I have gained considerable work experience, including building and servicing swimming pools, working as a removalist in Sydney, and washing dishes in the snowfields. I would work the morning shift, ski all day, and then return for the night shift.
Afterwards, I moved to Whitsundays, where I rented out half-cabin cruisers and tinny’s. I even had a brief stint selling encyclopedias door-to-door in Tasmania. I started by taking a sign language course at TAFE in Granville, then completed a photography course at TAFE in Sydney, and completed a diploma in community service and counselling. I have nearly finished with a bachelor’s degree in counselling, which I have been completing part-time while working full-time. I also almost completed a BA in fine arts but decided to start a family instead. Additionally, I run a small business called A Didgeridoo Experience, where I play the didgeridoo for events.
Q: Where and what did you study to begin your career in community services?
A: My first job with the community services was with Nepean community neighborhood service in Cranebrook. I then studied my Diploma in community services at TAFE, once there.
Q: And you are still studying today?
A: Yes, I am currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in counselling, I have completed my placement at Dianella Cottage Lives Lived Well, a drug and alcohol support service. I will finish my placement at Korowal School and have my BA done before the end this year 2025. After that phase, I will start considering my next study area. As the saying goes, “If you don’t use it, you lose it.”
Q: Again, referring to your bio on this website, it mentions that your first years in community services were in Cranebrook near Penrith. How were those first few years?
A: That time was incredible; I made many friends and assisted numerous local community members. I also had the opportunity to run a mentoring program for Aboriginal boys at Cranebrook High School.
Q: And then you were doing Case Management with Platform Youth Services. They help young people in the Penrith and Blue Mts region with homelessness, don’t they?
A: Yes, they are also located in Hawkesbury. As an Aboriginal case manager, I travel to various locations during the week to assist Aboriginal homeless youth on their life journeys.
Q: How common is it for young people in our region to become homeless?
A: The current rental market presents challenges for working adults seeking rentals. Young individuals, particularly those without rental histories and stable incomes, face significant difficulties securing rental properties.
Q: It must be extremely distressing for all involved.
A: Yes and no. Focusing on the hill you have to climb can be overwhelming and distressful, especially during tough times. However, overcoming those challenges and reaching the top is incredibly satisfying and helps build character. It was gratifying to walk alongside and support those resilient young people and let them know I believe in their potential.
Q: Once a child turns 18, they can leave home and seek the assistance of Centrelink services if they feel unsafe at home. Is that a suitable age in your opinion, or should it be lowered?
A: In an ideal world, 18 is a suitable age for young people to leave home and pursue independence. My eldest child did just that; she moved to Melbourne to begin a hairdressing apprenticeship. However, I have also supported young individuals as young as 12 who may not be safe in their home environments. This isn’t meant to be a political statement, but I believe the government needs to adopt a comprehensive approach to financial support for Australia’s youth.
Q: When did you begin working with MYST?
A: About three years ago.
Q: And tell us about your role as New Programs Co-Ordinator?
A: Fortunately, I have strong connections in the community and schools, which allows me to engage with young people and ask them about their needs and desires. By doing this, I can develop programs that reflect what I’ve learned from them. I also involve them in the process, giving them a sense of ownership over the programs created.
Q: Moving on now to your role as a presenter here at RBM since 2022. How did you first get involved at the radio station?
A: I was a guest on “Yarning with Lana,” she appreciated my style and suggested that I host my own show. I have extensive knowledge about local community services, and since RBM is a local community station, I wanted to use this platform to raise awareness about these services. I invite staff from various community organizations to join me for interviews, during which I discuss how they support the community and explore their motivations for helping others. Additionally, I enjoy sharing all the outstanding programs that MYST offers to support the youth in our community.
Q: What was it exactly that drew you, and MYST, to community radio?
A: Amba, the art and family counsellor at MYST, invited me to be her counterpart when it comes to counselling the young people who use the service. MYST offers a wide range of resources for local youth, making RBM the perfect platform for me to help spread the word. The interviews are enjoyable, and I learn as much as I share with the listeners. I edit the music and the RBM sponsorships before uploading the interviews to Spotify. You can visit the MYST website and click the link to listen at your convenience. Additionally, services can share these interviews with clients to showcase what they offer. Additionally, I have a passion for music in all its forms.
Q: Is it a complicated role, sort of being half presenter, half New Programs CO-Ordinator, but speaking on air?
A: It is simple; all these elements come together in a way that functions well.
Q: Your shows have had many interviews and guests, and I notice that of late, you have a co-presenter Ben, who features quite regularly. The rapport between you two is excellent and comes across really well on air. How did you guys meet and how do you go about finding guests?
A: Ben was a social work student whom I had the pleasure of supervising. His placement has now concluded, but I asked him to invite a guest of his choice before it ended. Ben chose the manager of Ben’s CAFÉ, where he worked before beginning his full-time studies—a nice coincidence given the café’s name. I aim to provide the students I supervise with a holistic experience of being community support workers through various creative approaches. As for the rapport that came naturally, he was a nice fellow, and I liked the cut of his jib.
Q: One feature that might be missed, when talking about MYST with Flinn, is that you play some bangin’ tunes each week! Tell us about your musical tastes.
A: As the youngest of five siblings, I was exposed to various music from my two sisters and two brothers, each with unique tastes. This exposure served as an excellent introduction to the diverse array of music available. I have explored many different genres and appreciate them all for various reasons. Moods and memories inspire my weekly song selections, and I constantly seek new music to listen to and share with my audience.
Q: Were you a gig go-er in the late 90’s / 2000’s? And if so, what would be your favourite gig?
A: I don’t have a single favourite concert; I enjoyed the Big Days Out because of the variety of music styles you could hear and dance to. I also liked seeing random pub bands. One memorable birthday celebration was when I invited friends to a Fireballs gig, where a young Regurgitators opened for the main act and played for a small crowd. The Cramps gig was a blast, and I had a great time at the Sex Pistols’ Filthy Loca gig, too. My friend Andy and I even made fake wrist stamps to get in for free when we were broke art students. I also enjoyed seeing the Coloured Stone band open for Midnight Oil, and on another occasion, I got to see Warumpi open for them as well. Lastly, I have fond memories of seeing Slim Dusty perform with my dad back in the day; that experience is definitely up there on my list.
Q: Where did you see in the year 2000?
A: Hard to remember, I think it was a party at Darlinghurst or maybe Bondi beach.
Q: Did you think the Y2K bug was going to shut down everything?
A: Nope.
Q: Who are you listening to at home these days?
A: I had some Rose Tattoo playing on the turn table and before that Jack Black, his album that has a hologram carved into it.
Q: Who’s probably the most played artist on your show?
A: Playing Wet Leg a band from the Isle of Mann song “Chaise Longue” gets a few plays and same with Teddy Swims “Lose Control”, but as you know I like to mix it up.
Q: Ok time for our rapid-fire questions. We fire a quick question at you, and you answer as quickly and briefly as you can. Ready?
A; Yep
Q: Suzuki or Yamaha
A: I currently ride a 2020 Suzuki Hayabusa 1300
Q: Harley Davidson or Triumph?
A: I would like to have a Harley Fat Boy one day.
Q: Lambretta or Vespa?
A: Vespa
Q: Favourite bush walk?
A: The one near my home.
Q: Swimming pool or bush swimming hole?
A: Paradise is my local swimming hole within walking distance from home and the first place my youngest child Lilli swam as a baby.
Q: Favourite take away?
A: Hard to say I do like the Cheese steak at Lawson. I also like Thai Square at Hazelbrook, and the Sushi n Co on Katoomba street.
Q: Favourite drink?
A: Coke Zero but the new Fanta Pineapple zero sugar is also a close second.
Q: Favourite Katoomba lunch?
A: Any place with a friend.
Q: Favourite Australian holiday destination?
A: When I was a kid Bendalong but now it is visiting Ruby my eldest child in Melbourne.
Q: Favourite holiday destination overseas?
A: Manly Lol, no Phuket.
Q: Homer Simpson or Peter Griffin?
A: That’s a hard one. I like both equally for different reasons
Q: Apple or Android?
A: Apple at home, Android at work.
Q: Christmas Day Roast, or Christmas Day Barbie and salads?
A: I like roasts on BBQ, I did a yummy turducken for a family Xmas in a Webber once.
Q: Swans or GWS?
A: Neither Swans nor GWS, I am a fan of the Melbourne Tigers for Aussie rules and Balmain Tigers for football, they both won the comp the year I was born.
Q: Favourite night out today?
A: With Family
Q: Favourite night in today?
A: At home with family and friends.
Q: Last gig you were at?
A: Jimeoin comedy gig and theThe Mezcaltones at the Family hotel for a mate’s Birthday.
Q: Finally, complete this sentence “If I won a million bucks tomorrow I would . . . . “
A: Start a Non for profit in mental health supports.
Thanks very, very much Flinn.
RL.