Emma Pritchard

A much-loved member of the 2GF and Clarence Coast’s FM104.7 family, Station Manager Paul Covington recently hung up his headphones and turned the microphone off for the last time after a career spanning close to 40 years on and off the airwaves across the Clarence Valley.

Originally from Railton in northern Tasmania, Mr Covington’s love for radio developed during his childhood when he set up his own tape recorders and record players at home, but it was after he won a competition to host an hour-long music program at 7BU in Burnie that his passion grew stronger.

After completing a traineeship at 7AD in Devonport where he worked part time as a radio announcer, Mr Covington relocated to Launceston in 1984 before he decided to leave Tasmania and head to the mainland to explore further career opportunities.

He arrived in Grafton in 1985 with plans to “spread his wings”, but more than 30 years later he still calls the Clarence Valley home as he looks forward to enjoying his retirement and spending more time with his wife and family.

Describing the opportunity to work alongside Ray “Rabbits” Warren as a sports coordinator on 2KY and broadcasting during his favourite local event, the annual July Racing Carnival, as some of his professional highlights, Mr Covington credits former 2GF broadcaster and beloved local radio identity Ron Bell for giving him the chance to further his career back in the 1980s.

Throughout the years Mr Covington has been involved in the 24-hour live coverage of several major floods and was also on air the morning of the devastating Cowper bus crash in October 1989, which claimed 21 lives.

In 2023, Mr Covington said it was an honour to be Station Manager when 2GF celebrated its 90th anniversary.

As he looks forward to embracing and pursuing new adventures in his retirement, Mr Covington said his passion for radio will never leave.