<div dir="ltr"><div><div><b>Source:</b> <a href="http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/local-news/oldham-dj-honoured-decades-airwaves-8582077">http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/local-news/oldham-dj-honoured-decades-airwaves-8582077</a><br></div><div><br></div><div>A radio DJ has been celebrated for his years on the airwaves with a civic appreciation award.</div><div><br></div><div>Dave McGealy is a long-standing presenter on the Royal Oldham’s hospital station Radio Cavell and also Oldham Community Radio.</div><div><br></div><div>The retired teacher has been volunteering on community stations for more than 20 years.</div><div><br></div><div>He was due to be given the accolade at a special award ceremony in the council chamber ahead of last night’s full council meeting.</div><div><br></div><div>The father-of-two, said: “I feel incredibly fortunate and very honoured.</div><div><br></div><div>“I don’t consider what I’ve done to be massively important.</div><div><br></div><div>“I haven’t saved someone’s life. I’ve just helped people keep in touch about things in Oldham and tried to make where we live a better place.</div><div><br></div><div>“I would hope others would want to do the same.</div><div><br></div><div>“To me that’s nothing special and is the way you should live your life.”</div><div><br></div><div>He added: “It may sound strange but I was a little nervous about addressing the council but I’m very pleased with the honour.”</div><div><br></div><div>Dave, who was born in Fallowfield, Manchester, moved to Oldham aged 22.</div><div><br></div><div>He took up a teaching post at Littlemoor Primary in 1971 and went on to be part of a team which introduced the use of computers into the classroom.</div><div><br></div><div>He first hit the airwaves on Radio Latics, a special matchday service for Oldham Athletic fans and also took part in a one-off broadcasts for Oldham Rugby League’s 100th anniversary and a Second World War commemorative broadcast.</div><div><br></div><div>He joined Radio Cavell in 1974 with his Saturday Night Requests programme before being elected station manager.</div><div><br></div><div>He was also instrumental in applying to Ofcom for a licence for Oldham Community Radio – launching the town’s first not-for-profit station.</div><div><br></div><div>Over the years he has held a number of posts including secretary, treasurer and chairman before becoming station manger.</div><div><br></div><div>Dave, who now lives in Moorside, added: “My son Ian has a learning difficulty and when I was coming to terms with that, the radio was fantastic for me.</div><div><br></div><div>“It meant I had to stop thinking about what I was doing and think about someone else.”</div><div><br></div><div>He added: “I accept this award on behalf of all the other volunteers who have worked at both stations over the years.</div><div><br></div><div>“I don’t do this by myself. It’s very much a team effort.”</div></div><div><br></div><div>\\</div><div><br clear="all"><div><div class="gmail_signature">Community Media Association</div><div class="gmail_signature">-- <br><a href="http://www.commedia.org.uk/" target="_blank">http://www.commedia.org.uk/</a><br><a href="http://twitter.com/community_media" target="_blank">http://twitter.com/community_media</a><br><a href="https://www.facebook.com/CommunityMediaAssociation" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/CommunityMediaAssociation</a><br><br>Canstream Internet Radio & Video<br><a href="http://www.canstream.co.uk/" target="_blank">http://www.canstream.co.uk/</a><br><a href="https://twitter.com/canstream" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/canstream</a></div></div>
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