You could detect an undercurrent of emotion in Darren Flindell’s voice as he paid tribute to an old mate before the running of the Vale Chris Kearns Highway at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday. Presenting an obituary to a dear friend is a tough assignment at any time. It’s even tougher when you’re worrying about the thirteen horses about to lunge from the starting gates. It’s tougher again when you know that many of your listeners are still reeling from the unexpected passing of a bloke who’d touched a million hearts during his seventy five years.
Chris Kearns lost his battle with cancer just a few hours after the running of the Melbourne Cup on November 2nd. It’s unlikely he was aware that the race he loved had been won by the mare he was tipping to friends twenty four hours earlier. Racing NSW and the Australian Turf Club immediately arranged to name a race in his honour at Rosehill Gardens four days later. They did so in recognition of his unwavering support of the racing industry over many years.
Chris spent several years in the latter part of his career hosting Sky Race Days from the French’s Forest studios. And who could have handled it better. The unflappable Mr. Kearns could coordinate a busy racing programme for several hours, churning out a plethora of betting information and crossing to races all over the nation. He did it with the crispness and authority you’d expect from a master broadcaster and racing aficionado. He also perfected the art of making lightning incursions onto his TAB phone account whenever he got some breathing space.
Chris loved a night out with friends. Here he is with Darren Flindell, Jo McKinnon and Graham McNeice.
Chris didn’t need to be working on a racing programme to say something nice about the sport. He’d often deviate in the middle of a musical show to throw in a tip for Saturday’s races, or to heap praise on a good horse or top jockey. He even created a couple of mythical characters whose names became synonymous with his radio shows. He cleverly mimicked the frail voice of his alter ego, an old punter called Cec Poole (i.e. Cesspool) who followed him around the Sydney radio world. Chris always made racing sound like a lot of fun.
His love of the sport was exceeded only by a lifelong passion for radio. It’s astonishing to think that he worked in the medium every day of his adult life. His distinctive voice was heard through the years on 2SM, 2UW, 2UE, MIX FM, 2GB and more latterly 2CH where he presented a programme called “Classic Hits of the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s.” That show was made for Chris Kearns. His knowledge of songs and performers was extraordinary - from Al Jolson to the present day. I happened to hear him on the car radio not long ago extolling the talents of Barbra Streisand. Off the top of his head he presented a brief but fascinating profile of the ageless superstar.
Chris worked in radio for his entire adult life. This one was taken very early in his career.
His easy going nature shone through in every programme he presented. Smooth, laid back, reassuring, and friendly with a voice many broadcasters would love to own. Over the years those mellifluous tones brought him into prominence as a “voice over” specialist. Master documentary producer Graham McNeice utilised his services on many occasions. Kearns was Graham’s choice to narrate the 1998 documentary “Call From The Heart” - a history of Australian race calling. He was perfectly cast!
It was always a delight to be in the company of this much loved media icon. His 70th birthday bash in Melbourne five years ago was a night to remember, and his love of a show song was never more evident. His fellow broadcaster and great mate Tony Delroy joined him for a rousing rendition of “It’s Not Where You Start It’s Where You Finish” popularised in the 1973 Broadway musical “Seesaw’. They had the audience in the palms of their hands when they sang the final stanza.
“Your final return will not diminish and you can be cream of the crop. “It’s not where you start it’s where you finish, and you’re gonna finish on top.”
Chris Kearns you were unequivocally on top as a broadcaster and a human being when it was time for you to be called away last week. You depart this life with the profound respect of colleagues past and present, and the love of a million friends. RIP.
Chris with close friend Jo McKinnon, journalist, TV presenter and devoted equestrienne.
Chris will be farewelled at 2pm on Monday Nov 22nd at Macquarie Park, corner of Delhi and Plassey Roads North Ryde.
(Banner image - Chris in the 2CH studio presenting "Classic Hits of the 60's, 70's and 80's" - his final stint on Sydney radio)