By Natasha Fujimoto
CELEBRATING 20 years this year, the airwaves drifting across Shepparton every Thursday night have carried not only the upbeat soundtrack and eternally cool rhythms of ’50s, and ’60s rock ‘n’ roll but also the unmistakable voice of Les ‘Harro’ Harrison OAM, the man behind Rockin’ with Les Harrison on One FM 98.3. From 6 to 8 pm each week, Harro spins more than just records, he spins memories, warm banter, and a whole lot of laughs. He pairs classic rock’n’roll and country hits with easy-going charm, welcoming call-ins and occasional special guests who also share his love for the vintage greats.
Growing up with fond memories of sitting by the wireless, listening to music, favourite serial shows, and sport, Harro’s playlist draws heavily from the golden era of the mid-1950s to the late 1960 – a time that still resonates deeply with his audience.
“It’s not all rock’n’roll, but there’s a fair bit of it. When I spin the vinyl, people often say, ‘Gee, I remember that one! I haven’t heard that for a long time.’ That’s what it’s all about—it’s great,” Harro said.
Often bringing a selection of his own records into the studio, Harro’s choices include legends such as Slim Dusty, Johnny O’Keefe, Elvis, and the irreverent charm of Chad Morgan, to name just a few—all made even more vibrant by the authentic hisses and crackles of vinyl.
Harro’s dedication is just as enduring as the music he plays. Each week, he travels from Tungamah to Shepparton to be in the studio.
“It takes time to set up, but once the music starts, it’s magic. Music changes moods—it makes listeners happy, and it makes this presenter happier too,” Harro said.
For Harro, community radio is essential.
“It’s more personal. People know they can ring in and talk to the presenter, and that builds connection, it builds a bond,” he said.
That bond became even more important during the COVID-19 lockdowns.
“Radio has a great way of bringing people together. During COVID, in its darkest times, I remember going into the studio because we were declared an essential service. I spent three hours on air, fully aware that so many elderly people were stuck at home alone. I pitched my show to the ’40s and ’50s music—the quieter stuff, the nostalgic stuff—and the response was enormous. The phone calls, the feedback… people ringing up to thank us, just knowing someone was thinking of them and bringing back some great memories.”
For Harro, the past two decades behind the microphone have “simply flown by,” thanks to the deep joy he finds in broadcasting and the camaraderie he shares with his fellow presenters.
A lifelong devotee of radio since childhood—when the legends of early rock and classic Australian and American country music filled the family home, alongside the iconic sounds of footy and test cricket, Harro believes the medium will always have a place in the community.
“There’s something special about sitting back, making tea, and listening to the wireless. I don’t think radio will ever die.”
Even as technology has transformed the studio around him, Harro’s passion for radio remains undiminished, rooted in nostalgia, sustained by connection, and carried forward by a genuine love for storytelling through sound.
