By Brendan Rees
After 22 years behind the mic 91-year-old Tommy Carter has signed off for the last time at Casey Radio.
The veteran broadcaster stepped away from his weekly show for the final time on Wednesday 23 January after announcing his retirement.
His broadcast experience included commenting with Richmond Football Club great Jack Dwyer for the VFL/AFL games, and presenting on RPP FM in Frankston.
He organised the Battle of the Sounds in the 1960s, and also played the drums at Baxter Tavern for more than 25 years every Sunday up until his 90th birthday.
Others would know Mr Carter as the inventor of the Bertie Beetle show bag.
A celebratory lunch was held in his honour, with guests including Casey Councillor Geoff and members of the station as well as his co-host and life member Russel Hanby also in attendance.
A singer and a jazz drummer, Mr Carter was also awarded an Order of Australia Medal in 1994 for services to entertain the community in the Mornington Peninsula, and was only a few Hall of Famers for the radio station where he is a life member too.
Casey Radio vice president Bryce Eishold said Mr Carter was a “great man” who will be missed.
“He’s very well-known throughout the jazz scene and used to play at the Portsea Hotel with his late wife in the 60s and 70s,” he said.
“He recently moved into an aged care facility in Frankston where he regularly entertains the old folks by singing and playing the drums.”
