I always wanted to perform and started at primary school and then in school productions at Belmont High before going on Young Talent Time as a contestant. I lost but they invented the honourable mention and put me through to the finals where I lost again. Back then there was only one more option on television to get noticed, and so I went on New Faces and won the heat, then the final, and after that Young Talent Time asked me to do a request segment.<\/p>\n
The segment led to me becoming a recording artist and the career was up and running.<\/p>\n
How has your career evolved over time?<\/strong><\/p>\n I spent many years performing in Australia and then around the world including The Savoy Hotel in London and a Command Performance at the London Palladium before the Queen Mother.<\/p>\n I didn’t ever desire an international career but had developed a passion to get involved in radio and television and following a Midday show guest spot, Ray Martin came across and talked to me. Ernie Sigley was watching at that moment and was looking for someone to host the nightly KENO draw on Channel 9. Suddenly people saw me talking and it opened the door to radio in Geelong at 3GL, followed by 3MP in Melbourne.<\/p>\n This year I’m celebrating my 26th year at 3AW. This break also gave me the opportunity to work on Nine News and later to sixteen years of regional television news on WIN.<\/p>\n When did Carols come along and what is your favourite aspect of it?<\/strong><\/p>\n Right from the beginning of my career I performed all over Australia at Carols By Candlelight events and am doing my 44th appearance at Channel Nine’s Carols By Candlelight on Christmas Eve.<\/p>\n Carols By The Bay came about because I always believed our waterfront was the perfect setting for such an event and in 1997 it launched and next year will be the 30th year.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/12\/thumbnail_DenisWalte_98454.jpg\")
<\/p>\n