EVERYDAY PEOPLE - Trev Franklin - Time waits for no one
Trevor Franklin, or Trev as he is better known, was born in Victoria in the 1940s alongside two brothers, to a working-class family and comes from a long line of brass moulders. He never learnt the craft himself and in hindsight wishes he had. Brass...
Trevor Franklin, or Trev as he is better known, was born in Victoria in the 1940s alongside two brothers, to a working-class family and comes from a long line of brass moulders. He never learnt the craft himself and in hindsight wishes he had. Brass Moulders typically worked in Foundries or large engineering companies crafting moulds for molten metal.
He remembers his childhood as being good fun and he has many great memories.
Trev may not remember his first job but has no problem remembering his first car which was an FJ Holden and remains vivid right down to the number plates.
It has now been over three decades since Trev settled in Hervey Bay and at the time jobs were scarce. Recognising a void, he ventured into environmental horticulture, evolving into a self-taught ‘greenie’, later he got the necessary qualifications.
Before long, a friend from the former Hervey Bay Tourism Bureau roped him into assisting with the coordination of local events such as the Whale and Seafood Festivals and the Yag'ubi World Music Festival, which celebrated culture, arts, and music. Regrettably, this particular event now exists solely as a fond memory.
Trev frequently advertised upcoming events on the local community radio station, Fraser Coast FM 107.5, so, it was no surprise when he started to volunteer at the station. Trev now sits behind the mike in the studio and presses the buttons and has been doing so for about fifteen years starting with his own show ‘Friday Night in the Swamp’. He has interviewed many people over the years, but his top interview was with Sonny Landreth, an American blues guitarist known for his slide guitar skills.
Trev says, “I enjoyed talking to him immensely as I had just been to New Orleans and seen him perform at a festival. We shared our experiences of New Orleans, Louisiana, and its musicians, and connected over a mutual passion for music”.
Nowadays, Trev's show, dubbed "Community Chest," airs on Thursday mornings from 9 am to noon. During the show, he engages with various community members, politicians, and leaders to discuss regional affairs and includes a blend of new and classic tracks. Mayor George Seymour is a regular guest on his show.
A little-known fact about Trev is that he used to love to run and entered fun runs and marathons around the region. his final event was the Hervey Bay-Maryborough Marathon, sponsored by the late Con Souvlis. Commencing outside Souvlis's shop in Torquay, the race culminated at the Tinana athletics track.
Trev says, “If you thought it was boring to drive the road to Maryborough and back, try running it”.
He has done about a dozen marathons in total and says it was as much mental as it was physical. Due to poor health in recent years, Trev can no longer compete.
Over the years, music has become another avenue of expression for Trev, evident in his radio playlists and personal endeavours like learning the mandolin and joining Mansong, a singing group that fosters camaraderie among men of many ages. The group meet on a Monday night at the Scout Hall and new faces are always welcome.
Trev enjoys spending time with his partner and says that his perspective on life has deepened since experiencing heart failure, leading to open-heart surgery. This was initially discovered during a hospital visit for a hip replacement, the recovery spanned about five months. Now, Trev is happily back at the station, immersing himself in what he loves most.
Through life’s trials and triumphs, Trev imparts a simple message: don’t wait to do things that you love, seize the moment, for time waits for no one.
By Kim Parnell
From the What’s On Fraser Coast Magazine
