Roger Clements forced to leave 2HD

One of the Hunter's longest serving radio identities, Roger Clements, has been forced to leave radio 2HD by owner Bill Caralis.

Clements, a 30 year employee of the station, was phoned by Caralis last Wednesday and told to accept a "redundancy package" as he was no longer wanted at the station. Given 24 hours to comtemplate this, Caralis then rang again the next day to inform Clements he had no choice but to leave and instructed him to pack his stuff immediately.

During his career at the station Clements has filled roles in copy, on air, operations manager and sales manager. In 2004 he was being considered by Caralis as a potential General Manager following the resignation of George Liolio ( a role that has never been properly filled since).

The last 3 years have seen an alarming exodus in talent and experience from the 2HD/NEWFM Sandgate stations with the sales team being decimated, music directors resigning, both techicians resigning and more as staff tire of Caralis's ownership and lack of investment in the stations.

Roger Cllements was only a few years off retirement after years of dedicated service and deserved much better than to be shown the door in such abrupt circumstances. Its another sad chapter in the decline of a once mighty and historic station.

Note: Media Hunter is a former employee of 2HD/NEWFM having worked with Roger Clements and for Bill Caralis.

Comments

[Julie]

That's more 2HD listeners off to the ABC or KOFM.

What's Caralis doing? 2HD used to represent everything that is Newcastle and the Hunter Valley, now it seems like 2HD is losing that tag with Caralis sacking local identities like Roger Clements. It is sad that 2HD has gone down this route

[Media Hunter]

Couldn't agree more Julie. Unfortunately since Caralis purchased 2HD and NEWFM both stations have continued to to deteriorate. There have been times when dedicated staff have tried to stem the tide and make the stations competitive but Bill has eventually stifled those initiatives.

Now the town is left with KO/NX receiving no competition from commercial stations and advertisers are left with fewer realistic options. Its bad for the town and bad for advertising in the area.

The saddest thing is seeing a station like 2HD with such a long and proud history being run into the ground.