Vale Wally Wrightman
(Wally Wrightman – Front Right)
Dear Eastside Family,
It was with incredible sadness that we received the news earlier today that Wally Wrightman, a cornerstone of Eastside Radio and a personal friend of many of us succumbed to cancer and passed away at 3:15 on Saturday afternoon.
Wally was truly ‘larger than life ‘ both on and off the airwaves, as those who knew him would readily attest to.
The Board had unanimously agreed, at its most recent meeting, to help host the planned party in January for Wally’s birthday, an annual event known as “Wally’s Follies” and one that many looked forward to – sadly this was not to be.
He had a unique sound on air, accompanied by a very typical sense of humour – one that was easily recognisable by its special character. His listeners numbered in the many thousands and even though he had been on air for as long as the station (a quarter of a century), people never tired of his programs, which were always ‘very uniquely Wally’.
In a very real sense he helped shape the sound and character of Eastside Radio and his contribution to the station will rightly be remembered and highly valued long after he has left us.
On a personal note, I always immensely enjoyed chatting with him, both on and off air. On quite a few occasions when I would stick my head around the corner just to say hello, as he was broadcasting, he would interrupt his program and I would find myself sitting at one of the guest microphones being quizzed by Wally about the latest events – a testament to his current affairs versatility along with his enormous musical knowledge.
Wally was a ‘musicians musician’, an extraordinary agent and promoter and a broadcaster of amazing talent. All of us are individual in our own special way, but somehow Wally just managed to be that little bit extra in his uniqueness.
Wally knew pretty well everybody in the music industry and most everybody either knew Wally or knew who he was. And, in spite of the fact that he mixed with many well known artists and often was part of the celebrity circuit he always remained down to earth and was one of the most approachable people you would meet, someone who would always find the time to stop and have a chat and who would readily and warmly share his incredible musical knowledge and experiences, amassed during a career which spanned across a lifetime.
Along with being a consummate professional in his craft he also cared deeply about those around him, which earned him huge respect.
Hopefully where he is going there will be a fine mixing desk with a good quality microphone, because I find it very difficult to imagine Wally without either of those components.
He will be remembered for his fine performances, his unique wit, his good humour and his often, mischievous smile. And as sad as we are for having lost one so central to us all, we are all the better for having known him and for having had the pleasure and privilege of working with him.
We will all miss him very much – I know I certainly will – and I know that Eastside Radio will somehow never be the same again.
With great sadness,
Eric Gyors
Chairman 89.7 FM Eastside Radio
A service has been arranged for Wally at 1:30pm at the South Chapel of the Eastern Suburbs Crematorium on Tuesday the 6th of December 2011.
https://www.esmp.net.au/crematorium/south-chapel.aspx
A wake will also be following at 3pm at Blue Beat – 16 Cross St Double Bay. Ample parking is available and some food and a bar tab will also be made available.