John Penberthy An appreciation by Glen Quick John Penberthy is retiring from presenting at the end of August. He will be greatly missed by many, especially by me. I like to go shopping early every Saturday morning and by 8am I’m on the road with the car radio tuned to 5MBS, Bang on the hour, every Saturday morning I hear John’s cheery Good Morning and a brief account of the weather forecast. Come rain or shine, John’s greetings lighten the mood and then he announces the theme for that morning. It’s always an ingenious blend of classical and light music and away it goes. How he does it and how he has been doing it for so long in an always interesting way is one of those creative wonders that I envy. He finds the most ingenious connections between composers and genres and the information just flows like the music. And he keeps it up for two hours every week. The man is a marvel and we will miss him. John has been with MBS for so many years that neither he nor I can remember when he started. In a previous life, John was a Primary School teacher ending his career as a Headmaster. That’s no mean feat in itself but early on, his communication skills were recognised by the authorities and John was singled out as a “School of the Air” presenter. For seven years, he taught remote outback students working over a two way radio system in a “one-on-one” basis so John was no stranger to the microphone when he started at 5MBS. In fact he said that the hardest habit he had to break was to not say “Over” every time he switched off the microphone. The Education Department’s loss was our gain when John decided to volunteer as a presenter. So it’s “Thank You John” for years of enjoyable listening and best wishes for a long and happy retirement. Just remember that you can still hear him up until the end of August. (fb)

🎩🎶 Royal intrigue, sparkling waltzes, and Viennese charm! Tune in this Wednesday at 8pm on 5MBS for Johann Strauss II’s delightful operetta Prinz Methusalem (Prince Methuselah)! 🎶🎩 Premiered in 1877, Prince Methuselah is a lively and humorous operetta from the “Waltz King” himself. While not as famous as Die Fledermaus, it brims with Strauss’s trademark elegance, infectious dance rhythms, and playful spirit—offering a perfect mix of romance, satire, and toe-tapping melodies. Set in a fictional European court, the story follows the well-meaning but somewhat naive Prince Methuselah as he tries to navigate political intrigue, rebellious plots, and romantic entanglements. Mischief, mistaken identities, and Strauss’s irresistible music make for a lighthearted evening of operatic fun. 🎶 Don’t miss this rare chance to hear Strauss II’s Prince Methuselah! Tune in to 5MBS this Wednesday at 8pm for an effervescent night of Viennese operetta at its most charming. 🎶 Picture: Composer Johann Strauss II. (fb)