The Last meeting has been delayed to December 16th, at the Four Mile Restaurant in Victoria. Hope to see you there…
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BYE, BYE BROADCASTER’S LUNCHEON
by Barry Bowman
November 6, 2024
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For decades, on the first Monday of every month, a loyal group of broadcasters—retired and active alike—gathered right here in Victoria. They met for a simple reason: to share stories, laughs, and a little piece of history only they could understand. But come next month, that well-worn tradition, like so many others of its kind, will draw to a close, signaling the end of an era for our city’s broadcasting community.
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Now, Ron Robinson—one of the old-timers—is quick to tell you that this ritual was sparked years ago by two legends in their own right: Bob Thompson and Bruce Lowther. Two broadcasters with a vision, if you will. But Ron, well, he’s been the keener, attending every lunch, rain or shine, usually in the same spot, greeting each familiar face as it strolled in. Yet this week, as I came through the door, there were just two other souls in that vast room, and, let’s just say, they weren’t exactly jumping out of their seats. As the unofficial “reminder guy,” Ron’s known the ranks have been thinning for some time, but that didn’t make it any easier to accept. For him, those gatherings were more than just lunches—they were living history, a time capsule of the days when radio and TV weren’t just careers; they were callings.
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To sit with them was to connect with voices that had filled living rooms across Canada, to hear tales of grueling hours, tight deadlines, and unforgettable moments. And you’d be hard-pressed to find one among them who didn’t secretly confess that, given the chance, they’d do it all over again—for free. They’re part of a generation that laid the groundwork for broadcasting as we know it, with a dedication and passion that fueled an industry still standing today, even as it shifts and evolves.
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Next month’s luncheon will be a final farewell, a last chance to swap those treasured tales and pass down a legacy to anyone willing to listen. It’s a salute to names like Andy Stephen, Ida Clarkson, John Barton, Ron Robinson, Bob Aylward, Fraser McAlpine—and so many others. Faces and voices, once household names, now memories shared across a few plates of good food and a room full of empty chairs.
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This isn’t just a farewell to a monthly lunch. It’s the closing of a chapter, a gentle acknowledgment that times have indeed changed, but that the heart of broadcasting endures. New technology may have redefined the landscape, but the voices of these pioneers remind us that, at its core, broadcasting is about one thing: connection.
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And so, they gather one last time. A final toast, a final story, a final lesson for those who will take the industry forward. The Golden Age may be gone, but it echoes on, in every story told and every microphone held by someone who understands what this craft really means.
r.**********@sh**.ca
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From Ron Robinson….
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Hi Mike. Thanks for posting Barry’s story on the final Broadcasters Luncheon.
Thanks to my procrastination in making the reservation and the demands of the Christmas Season December’s luncheon has been delayed until Monday the 16th, still at the Four Mile Restaurant on on the Old Island Highway.
Thanks for updating the schedule for me.
Ron
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Rudy Hartman Obit
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Well said. Sadly, it’s happening Province and Nationwide. I hope the Corporations enjoy their lunch, including dessert.
And let’s hope that their deserts are “just.”
Sad to hear but inevitably they have reached the end of the road. Dad LOVED attending these luncheons but inevitably as mentioned their time has now come; he passed away in 2012 but probably attended for close to 20 years, and regaled us with some of the many cherished stories and shenanigans. Nice writeup by Barry Bowman….thanks for the memories all.
Rick: Where and when’s the last lunch? As I was on the periphery of radio in my much, much younger days, I might be able to attend to see old friends like Ron Robing and Mike Easton. I might even be able to convince Keith McCallion to join me.
My email is
li********@gm***.com
. King Lee
I’ve been out of that loop for a very long time King, you might reach out to Barry Bowman directly if you have his contact information, or to Mike Easton of this site as Mike may well have that info. “Back in the day” they used to meet at the Apple Tree restaurant on Admirals Rd in the Thrifty Foods mall.
Message from Ron Robinson
Hi Mike. Thanks for posting Barry’s story on the final Broadcasters Luncheon.
Thanks to my procrastination in making the reservation and the demands of the Christmas Season December’s luncheon has been delayed until Monday the 16th, still at the Four Mile Restaurant on on the Old Island Highway.
Thanks for updating the schedule for me.
Ron
from Fraser McAlpine
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I remember when it was first suggested to get as many broadcasters together once a month. In those days there would be a couple of long tables full of radio, tv and I think even a reporter or two. It was a great time to remember when broadcasting was fun, didn’t make much money, but we sure had good times. Now it is down to two. Who can ever forget Ray Orhards hog roast at his farm in Metchosin. And meeting some of the BIG names from Vancouver radio. Thanks for the memories. Cheers. Fraser
Why not keep the luncheons going and invite broadcasters who are still working in the industry?