Often referred to as the ‘heart and soul’ of the radio station, Noela came to work for just one week, and joked that she hoped to one day “be made a permanent member of staff”. 

When she started back in 1971, she came with a referral by Alan Morse as someone who could solve an accounting problem.

“My job was just accounting when I started at 2BS, then as technology changed I assumed the role of traffic manager, which meant I input the radio commercial orders into the computer,” she said. 

Since then she’s done everything from book-keeping to scheduling commercials and billing, and in addition to her professional role, she has also been instrumental in helping some of the most vulnerable people in the community through her work with the Christmas Miracle Appeal.

For the past 30 years, she has co-ordinated the event, which has grown from year to year. In December 2015, a staggering 1200 hampers were delivered across the city.

While her role in this is pivotal, she is quick to shun the limelight, saying simply, “many people were involved and it couldn’t be done without every single person’s contribution”.

“I’m just a very ordinary person, doing a job which I have loved,” she said.

Her efforts haven’t gone unrecognised, Noela was awarded an OAM for services to the community in 2014 and in 2012 she was announced as Member for Bathurst Paul Toole’s Bathurst Woman of the Year.

Her work on the Christmas Miracle Appeal was also recognised by the International Broadcasters Idea Bank and by Commercial Radio Australia, which awarded her with the Community Radio Award for a single community service project.

She was also named as one of Bathurst’s Living Legends during last year’s bicentenary.

Noela said the Christmas Miracle Appeal, in which she will continue her involvement, was a project dear to her heart.

“The first year we packed 11 parcels and the staff delivered them, last year we packed 1200 and with the help of 204 volunteers delivered them across the city,” she said.

“They make a great difference to the elderly, lonely or those less fortunate.”

“In conjunction with the appeal we also liaise with the Salvation Army with a toy appeal, so many new toys are dropped off into our office for distribution.

“When it first started we asked for second-hand toys and the Kirkconnell inmates would clean them up ready to distribute, but the laws changed so now just new toys are taken,” she said.

Noela said she has loved every minute of her career, and that sentiment has been reflected by those who worked alongside her.

Station owners Ron and Stephanie Camplin said Noela had been one of the most loyal, capable and trustworthy employees in the history of the company.

“Noela will be sorely missed as a lovely influence in the company, apart from her outstanding skills,” they said.

As she begins a new stage in life, Noela said she would like to thank her husband Joe, her daughter Susie Morgan and family, sister Maureen English, Bathurst Lions Club, Steve Ellery, Steph and Ron Camplin, Phil Cole and the staff at 2BS B-Rock for all their support over the years.

“I have probably forgotten others, but thank you to everyone,” she said.

She also thanked every volunteer who has been part of the Christmas Miracle Appeal, and in particular, Councillor Bobbie Bourke, Brad Sheward and Chris Yow, Graeme Burke, and Kay Glawson, who have all had 23 years’ involvement in the cause.

Others include Linda Trudgett, Edith Rout, Bev Lewis, Betty Bourke, Lorraine Casey, Pixie Lincoln, Marty Ryan and Rob Steenson.

Having called it a day at 2BS, Noela said she was looking forward to ‘just enjoying life’.

Quoting Sleepless in Seattle, she said she plans to ‘get out of bed every morning and breathe in and out all day long’. 

“And have some great holidays,” she laughed.