A young John Hayes was naturally excited when his father Harry brought a brand new Columbus radio into their Southland home. A beautiful walnut cabinet housed what his father assured the family was the best radio receiver on the market. Its presence was top of mind when the 6-year-old woke up in the night.
He crept out of bed, turned a few dials and was transfixed when he heard a crystal-clear BBC broadcast from London of a cricket test at the Oval, with commentary by the legendary John Arlott. That was the start of a lifelong passion for radio that would lead him to spend 60 years in the industry..