Latest news with #DeborahHull-Brown
Otago Daily Times
6 days ago
- General
- Otago Daily Times
Resident embraces radio to encourage involvement
Deborah Hull-Brown hosts Super City on OAR FM. PHOTO: SUPPLIED Deborah Hull-Brown is not shy about trying something new. At age 72, she has developed the skills to produce and host her own radio programme. Ms Hull-Brown moved from Auckland to Dunedin two years ago, following the death of her mother, whom she had cared for for eight years. Intent on engaging with a wide range of community groups and activities, the advocate for volunteering approached OAR FM with making an arts show in mind. The idea morphed into a broader programme, delivering content of interest to older listeners. Super City is aimed at encouraging others in the 60-plus age group to make the most of life. Through interviews and newsy updates, the show explores the interests, initiatives and supports available to super seniors in Dunedin. Ms Hull-Brown's own experience has turned her into a strong advocate for access radio. There was room for other seniors to follow her lead and step up to the mic, she said. "The staff at OAR are really gentle with someone like myself and they take the time to help you as much as you need, until you're confident." Super City is broadcast fortnightly on Mondays at 11am on 105.4FM and 1575AM. Podcasts are available from and other major platforms. Feedback and items of interest for older listeners can be emailed to dunedinsupercity@ By Jeff Harford, Community Liaison, OAR FM
Otago Daily Times
15-07-2025
- Lifestyle
- Otago Daily Times
'You've really got everything down here'
Auckland expat Deborah Hull-Brown has thrown herself firmly into getting involved in her new city since arriving in Dunedin two years ago. PHOTO: STEPHEN JAQUIERY An Auckland woman who has moved to South Island is making it her mission to tell people how lucky they are to live here. After living in the super-city for 35 years, Deborah Hull-Brown, 72, made the trek south and fell firmly in love with Dunedin nearly two years ago. Ms Hull-Brown now hosts an Otago Access Radio (OAR) show Super City — a celebration of interests, events and support for seniors. "What I'm trying to do with the radio programme is say 'it's a lovely place to live'," she said. Ms Hull-Brown moved to Dunedin after her mother, who she had cared for for eight years, died. "I was thinking, 'where am I going to live?' "I can't afford to live in Auckland, I can't bear the traffic in Auckland, and also, Auckland doesn't feel like a community, [it] is a series of suburbs." In contrast, she had found Dunedin cheaper, with greater access to nature, and she had "discovered cheese rolls". "It was finances, but it was community ... you've really got everything down here." She had leapt at the opportunity to volunteer with organisations across the city, including Age Concern and teaching English to refugees. Super City was an opportunity to share her joy at living in Dunedin with others, she said. "[To] find out what else is going on and just share it with everybody. "I'm just trying to inspire people who maybe sit at home a bit too much in their 60s, 70s and 80s to actually think, 'oh, maybe I could go out and do that'." So far, her show had covered topics like wills and volunteering — she hoped to be a point of connection for older people in the city, she said.
Otago Daily Times
15-07-2025
- Lifestyle
- Otago Daily Times
New resident spreading the word — ‘lovely'
Auckland expat Deborah Hull-Brown has thrown herself firmly into getting involved in her new city since arriving in Dunedin two years ago. PHOTO: STEPHEN JAQUIERY An Auckland woman who has moved to Dunedin is making it her mission to tell people how lucky they are to live here. After living in the super-city for 35 years, Deborah Hull-Brown, 72, made the trek south and fell firmly in love with Dunedin nearly two years ago. Ms Hull-Brown now hosts an Otago Access Radio (OAR) show Super City — a celebration of interests, events and support for seniors. "What I'm trying to do with the radio programme is say 'it's a lovely place to live'," she said. Ms Hull-Brown moved to Dunedin after her mother, who she had cared for for eight years, died. "I was thinking, 'where am I going to live?' "I can't afford to live in Auckland, I can't bear the traffic in Auckland, and also, Auckland doesn't feel like a community, [it] is a series of suburbs." In contrast, she had found Dunedin cheaper, with greater access to nature, and she had "discovered cheese rolls". "It was finances, but it was community ... you've really got everything down here." She had leapt at the opportunity to volunteer with organisations across the city, including Age Concern and teaching English to refugees. Super City was an opportunity to share her joy at living in Dunedin with others, she said. "[To] find out what else is going on and just share it with everybody. "I'm just trying to inspire people who maybe sit at home a bit too much in their 60s, 70s and 80s to actually think, 'oh, maybe I could go out and do that'." So far, her show had covered topics like wills and volunteering — she hoped to be a point of connection for older people in the city, she said.
