Matt and Jo, live from Kinglake - Sat, Feb 6 2010

Fox FM’s The Matt & Jo Show broadcast their number one Melbourne FM radio show from Kinglake this morning as a tribute to the Black Saturday anniversary this Sunday 7 February.

Matt Tilley, Jo Stanley and Troy Ellis were based at the Harvest Bakery and Cafe on Main Street from 6am – 9am, and spoke with many locals who have endured an emotional chain of events over the past year.

In a particularly moving interview that brought Matt and Jo to tears, Black Saturday survivor Darrin Gibson spoke for the first time since his 60 minutes interview last year about the loss of his wife and three daughters. 

Additional guests included Sam Gents who also lost his wife and three children, local policeman and footballer Cameron Caine who saved lives in the epic blaze, Cris Ruhr who stayed and fought but lost his home and is now rebuilding.

Plus Wally Spezza and his 16 year-old son Chris who stayed and fought then saved a family of four who were walking past, 20 year-old Sian Caine who sheltered in bathtub next door with best friend, Peter and Fiona Brown who stayed and fought but lost their house however saved themselves by sheltering in their pool with their kids and dog, and finally Ross Buchanan who tragically lost his two children Mackenzie & Neeve.
 
Fox FM donated a $20,000 playground for the sports ground at Strathewen, adding to the community spirit generated out of tragedy. 
They also gave local traders the opportunity to talk about their businesses on-air to assist with rebuilding tourism in the area.

Click here for images of The Matt & Jo Show in Kinglake.

 
 
FURTHER INFORMATION:
Vicki Heath
Melbourne PR Manager
d: (03) 9252 1034
m: 0402 355 325
e:  vicki.heath@austereo.com.au