Staff Reporter
Wellingtonians tuning into ‘Access Radio’ will miss the unmistakable voice of Bhadrabala Thomson as the octogenarian decided to retire and lead a quieter life.
Affectionately known as ‘Bala,’ she has the record of having hosted programmes such as ‘Indian Community’ and ‘Bhakti Prabha’ continuously since 1981.
A fortnight before her retirement, she wrote to us saying, “After 34 years of running radio with two programmes every week, one of which is 20 years old; 31 years with ‘Save the Children’s Fund’; 22 years with New Zealand-India Society; and 34 years of teaching cooking, I am going to stop (my radio programmes).”
Woman of Distinction
Bala was the first woman of Indian origin to be appointed a Justice of the peace and Marriage Celebrant and was arguably the first Indian female radio broadcaster in New Zealand. She received the Queen’s Service Medal for her services to the community.
Arriving in New Zealand in 1969, she campaigned for a radio programme that would address the information, cultural and entertainment needs of immigrants.
“There should be at least one programme exclusively for, by and of migrants, delivered in their own language, featuring their own news and music,” she said.
Deeper and different
Bala structured `Bhakti Prabha’ to cater to thousands of people who appreciated something deeper and more meaningful than the latest film music.
Those within the catchment area of Access Radio were deeply moved as she presented the programme every Saturday morning with religious songs and music, readings from holy texts, and wise discourses from holy speakers.
Bala arrived in New Zealand with her Kiwi husband, journalist and author John Bell Thomson, from the East African state of Tanzania (once Tanganyika). They lived in Dunedin for more than two years, during which the communications need for newcomers made its first impact on Bala.
Futuristic idea
Radio was her medium (she had done some broadcasting work in Tanzania), but first approaches to her local Member of Parliament and the New Zealand Broadcasting Service (later Radio NZ) came to nothing: it was then an idea ahead of its time.
A growing family took over her life, but the passion for broadcasting in her native language remained strong.
When the family moved to Wellington in 1972, she renewed lobbying for community radio time. Radio New Zealand finally agreed and seconded two experienced women administrators to assist Bala with the technical needs and knit the operation together.
As Bala said, “A frequency became available, state office and studio accommodation was provided and Wellington Access Radio was launched. Today, a tremendous medium of assistance to immigrant communities has blossomed, with Access Radio stations widespread across New Zealand.”
Self-trained professionals
Wellington Access Radio’s pioneers like Bala had none of the advantages enjoyed by broadcasters today.
`We were put in front of the microphone with no training. We wondered if we were being set up to fail. But we had our own resources to overcome early hurdles. That was the situation for the first nine years,” Bala said.
The drought years
According to Bala, a change in the government heralded major challenges. Access Radio had to move out of the Radio New Zealand premises, state funding disappeared and the team had to sustain itself.
Programme presenters had to buy their airtime, and that meant seeking paid advertising or sponsorship. It was a hard time for many communities, and some never returned. The Access pioneers moved to rooms in Marion Street and operated their studio from there for several years before moving to the present site in Ghuznee Street. New communities, or fresh minds in communities that were struggling to pay their way, slowly consolidated the Wellington service.
Resourceful people
For Bala, it was deservedly easier; she won a loyal immigration service sponsor who stayed with her all the way.
“From the very start, I did my broadcasts in three languages, including Hindi, Gujarati and English. Some music was hard to find in the early days, but my family in Mumbai became a resourceful supplier. It was a great time in my life. It was a service to my community and I loved every moment of it,” she said.
Moving on
Today, Bala feels that the time has come to make room for another, younger personality to cater for her community. In the past 30 years, some have come and all have gone while she has lasted without pause, broadcasting for her main programme live each Sunday, and with a taped show for Saturday mornings.
Bala will soon be celebrating her 81st birthday, and she feels it is a good time to sign off from the radio.
She will certainly miss that busy life, in particular the loyal support she received from her operators, Dorai Gounder and his daughter Kavita.
-with input by John Bell Thomson
