Star breaking new ground

By Melissa Meehan
YARRA Valley FM has a new star.
Raymond Bergin is the newest voice on community radio for the Yarra Ranges, Cardinia and Murrindindi shires on Thursday afternoons.
His show, “The Raymond and Terry Show”, is different to any other show in the area.
“No other show deals with issues of disability like we do,” the other half of the team, Terry Morton said. “We discuss issues, and highlight its existence in our service area.”
Terry is not only Ray’s sidekick on the show; he is also his support worker.
Ray has autism.
“The fact that Ray has autism has presented him challenges in his life,” Terry said. “But it’s exciting that the radio station has allowed him this opportunity to work on his own show.”
Terry first approached the radio station as part of his duties as Ray’s support worker.
“Ray has always loved hanging around the radio station, so I went to them and said I’d like to help him get involved,” he said. “Then it was put to me that we do a show together and the rest is history.”
At first Ray recorded voice-overs and spoke to listeners who called into the station. “But then it clicked,” Terry said.
“Autism is all about pressing buttons, like video games, and we got him behind the desk instead. He reads the weather without any help from me now as well.”
Ray also chooses the music and pre-programs the show.
When the Mail asked him about working at Yarra Valley FM, Ray responded excitedly. “I just love it,” he said. As far as Terry is concerned, the future possibilities for his co–host are endless. The next hurdle is to show employers that people with autism are able to work in the general workforce.