Queen's Birthday Honours: Radio voice makes a mark

John Markby is a Queen's Service Medal recipient for services to the community and as a broadcaster.Photo/John Stone

Thousands in Northland have woken up to his voice every week day for nearly three decades and broadcaster John Welsford Markby reckons he's still got enough fire in his belly to last "a few more years".

The 58-year-old breakfast co-host at More FM in Whangarei is among those who will receive the Queen's Service Medal (QSM) for services to the community and as a broadcaster.

"It's [the award] is a huge surprise. Maybe it's a thank you for many many years of hard work," he said.

His broadcasting career has indeed spanned "many, many" years after he started in radio in his home-town Dunedin in November 1979 after the Mt Erebus plane crash.

Before joining radio, he taught for three years in different South Island towns.

Markby started with Breakfast Radio in Wanganui in 1983 before moving to the then KCC FM, now More FM, Whangarei, three years later.

"Radio is just a huge amount of fun. I just love that connection with our listeners. We see them as the stars, not us," he said.

He paid tribute to his co-host of 13 years Angela "Flash" Gordon and to Alf Rose with whom he co-hosted at then Radio Northland.

Radio, he said, had been a mighty vehicle that allowed him to connect with people in his community.

"I am enormously humbled by this recognition as I have loved every aspect of my job and the opportunities to work with the people of Northland."

Erena Millar, general manager of Media Works, which owns More FM, said Markby sat at the heart of the station's operation and the company was immensely proud of his role in the organisation as well as in the community.

Markby has used his position and high profile to promote and fund-raise for a wide range of charitable and not-for-profit organisations in Northland.

They include the Northland Chamber of Commerce, Cancer Society, Relay for Life, North Haven Hospice, kindergarten fundraisers, Sport Northland, and the Northland Emergency Services Trust.