Today marks two years since the untimely passing of Radio’s Richard Marsland.
I had a bit of a bad week last week, and I found myself looking over some old emails from another difficult period in my life.
In August 2008 I was dropped from my job as a casual panel-operator at SAFM, dropped from making regular guest appearances on 891 ABC Adelaide’s “The Evening Show with Peter Goers” and had a falling out with one of my best friends. Suddenly my life went from heading in the right direction to being thrown into complete uncertainty.
After I lost the SAFM job I emailed Richard (a former SAFM employee), telling him what happened and asking for some advice. I figured this is a good time to make this email public. It’s good advice, after all… So here it is:
Sun, 24 Aug 2008 20:13:07
Re: SAFM no more
Oh no David, I’m so sorry – I just read this email … dang – sorry mate! I don’t check this all the time. What horrible news! But you know what? I had exactly the same thing happen to me in exactly the same building when I was pretty much your age. And then I came back like three months later. I’m of the opinion that you haven’t really had a career in the Australian media if you haven’t been sacked due to no fault of your own. Look at the long list of talents who have been told to hit the bricks – from Tony to Shaun to Judith to Mick: it’s insane and it makes no sense BUT it does happen and the best thing to do is take it on the chin and keep coming at them. What you must remember is that they might take away your job, but guess what? You can still write, You can still perform. You still can do it, you know? It’s like a trench digger being fired – he doesn’t have a job but he still has the skills to get another. So it will happen. It’s not a case of if, but when.
Craig [Bruce] is a straight shooter and I’m sure he’d love to have you if they could afford it, they’re cutting costs everywhere at the moment. It seems terrible right now I’m sure, but it’s merely a new start for you. Like Craig said, I’d look at it as an opportunity to go somewheres different and ply your trade – there are now a lot more places in Adelaide to look, Nova for example. Easier said than done, I know. But I’d go for the ABC thing (if it’s not too late), and I would keep throwing everything into the Peter Goers show. Call around, ask to speak to PDs and tell them your situation and work history – SAFM always looks great on a CV … You never know what’s around the corner. And keep up your website!
And I promise I’ll keep an ear out for anything that might pop up. It’s a funny industry full of revolving doors, so eventually one will open for you, I guarantee it. You just have to keep positive, and stay persistent. Luck is hard work meeting opportunity.
So – don’t let it get you down too much, okay? I won’t lie – I know it sucks, but everything will be DMG before you know it. You just have to get ready.
Speak soon, give me a call anytime!
Richard
That was the last contact I had from Richard. He died three and a half months later. Although he did say “give me a call anytime”, I didn’t, because I didn’t want to bug him.
The above is another example of the genuine character of The Late Richard Marsland. Such a nice guy, and such personal, relevant advice.
It’s interesting looking back on that time. “Everything will be DMG before you know it”. It certainly didn’t seem like that then. But things did get better. And of course, moving to Melbourne definitely made a difference.
I miss “Get This” on Triple M very much. Although, some fantastic news I just learned yesterday: Tony Martin and Ed Kavalee will be teaming up again next year, this time on TV for “The Joy of Sets”, a new light entertainment show on Channel Nine (If you can believe that?). I’m sure Richard will be there in spirit.
I’m actually in Adelaide as I write this, and I kid you not, I’m sipping a Farmers Union Iced Coffee. I never used to like them until this year.
Rich, this one’s for you.
Kind regards,
David M. Green
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