Every Wednesday after school, Matilda and Ruby set up to go live on OKR FM Mitchell Community Radio as part of their weekly schedules.
The young presenters have been operating their show – Matilda and Ruby – for around two years at the Kilmore Racing Complex, taking over the 4pm to 5pm slot under station committee member Mark Perrot who teaches the girls the necessary skills for broadcasting.
It all began when Matilda’s mother found the opportunity advertised online and the rest was history.
Ruby said it ‘seemed cool’ taking part in a show that meant she could talk as much as she wanted, while Matilda’s mindset was ‘because why not.’
Preparing for a weekly show, the girls chose topics, speaking on school, recycling and other topics for their weekly listeners to tune in.
On special occasions, the young presenters have interviewed remarkable people across the Mitchell Shire – some of whom are inspiring young women including Wallan singer Kaitlyn Thomas, Wandong’s taekwondo teen champion Mackenzie Macdonald and Member for Euroa Annabelle Cleeland.
The girls met in foundation class at primary school, sticking together till graduation and are navigating year seven together at Broadford Secondary College.
The two friends agreed high school was fun at times, but also scary with the classes and different rooms.
“It might be scary but once you get used to it, it’s not that scary especially when you have your friends,” Ruby said.
“You have to go to different class, like rooms every single time … and then you also have to get your books for everything and not be late to class,” Matilda said.
Taking on broader subjects, Ruby said they almost had to dissect a squid in science, describing the high school experience so far as ‘weird’, but the pair were saved when the task got ‘lost in the mail’.
In recognition of International Women’s Day, IWD, on Friday, both said they felt they accomplished a few achievements so far – a few being the radio show and graduating primary school.
Matilda and Ruby said IWD was about celebrating women, particularly women receiving the right to vote, having children and work that interests them.
Looking towards the future, the girls were keen to get involved in their hobbies, with Ruby wanting to get involved in cooking, animals, or art, whereas Matilda’s love for animals would be her focus.
Radio is also a possibility in the future, with more shows expected to come this year.
Matilda and Ruby go live Wednesdays from 4pm to 5pm on OKR FM at 98.3FM in Kilmore and 97.1FM in Wallan and can be live streamed at www.okrfm.com.au.
