Whilst in town I dropped by the local HOTFM studio to catch up with Shawn Michelmore. This born and bred Emerald local, has a reputation for being “the young and hot” General Manager, of Emerald and the Central Highland’s most popular radio station. I was told that he would be more than willing to be involved in a series of stories showcasing the local people in the magazine. My sources were also happy to offer me an inside scoop, that Mr. Shawn Michelmore would be the great Mayor of Emerald one day, but that there was only one foreseeable problem, he doesn’t want to be! The Michelmore family has lived in Emerald for Shawn’s entire life. He and his sister Angela were born in the local hospital. Angela who is now married with two beautiful boys, Coby and Kye, has since relocated to Brisbane. Mum Cheryl, working at Harvey World Travel and Dad Stewart still working in the mines after almost 30 years, Emerald is and always will be home to the Michelmores.
“Although the Central Highlands is a much smaller market compared with other stations within the company, I find my role more diverse and interesting. With my only employee Jenni at my side, we don’t just look after the sales. We are the promotional crew and the on air personalities when required. Ensuring that we always have the community interests as a whole forefront in our minds, it is important for me to take part in many local community groups, including the PCYC and Multicultural Festival committee, to name just a few.”
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After working in the industry for only a short time, Shawn realised that, photography wasn’t for him. “Overtime, I slowly started to lose interest and after a while I knew that this wasn’t what I wanted to do anymore.”
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During high school, Shawn’s passion was to become a photographer. He landed a job with a local photo shop and even signed up with Tafe, to study photography after high school.
Shawn spent a period of time working in retail as an Assistant Manager, but within a year of job offers in radio, this outgoing people person was finally poached into the radio industry in 2004. “When I first started in radio, I would get so excited when I would hear my client’s commercials. Knowing I was a part of making it happen is the reason I am still here today. My mates would always get annoyed with me turning up the radio in the car so I can hear the commercials. It’s funny, because I still do this today! Since taking the jump into radio, I have honestly never looked back.” After 4 years of working as a Sales Executive for the company, Shawn was contracted to move into the General Management position at the age of 26.
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• For the time being Shawn is content to remain in Emerald surrounded by friends and family. “Outside of work, I love spending time with my mates, and I still get my fix in retail by working some weekends for Havik, a local retail clothing store. My hobbies include touch football and going to the gym.” Shawn is a true movie junkie and if he isn’t at the cinema catching that latest flick, you would be sure to find him at home relaxing on the couch watching an old classic. Knowing that he is part of a national company with a network of stations throughout Australia that can offer him a new job in a new location anytime he is ready, is a great comfort. But for now this true local personality is content to remain exactly where he is.
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