His start was also the beginning of Dubbo’s own morning show on the program.

“We basically created it from the ground up and it’s just local voices, local stories, a mix of what people want to know about nationally and internationally,” he said.

Initially, Mr Saunders said he had wanted to be an actor. However, he didn’t think he would be able to earn enough. He studied an Australian film, television and radio course and ended up working in commercial radio.

Ten years ago, looking for a tree-change he moved to Dubbo. The presenter job opened up and it was a prefect fit for his experience.

There were only a few people who had stayed at the ABC the whole time he had been there, Mr Saunders said. The new staff had created a vibrancy within the organisation, he said.

There had also been changes within the operation of the radio show. While there are still CDs in the studio, Mr Saunders said they were only there in case of a complete system failure.

Working the breakfast shift does mean Mr Saunders sets his alarm for 4.15am, but it was the people which he said had kept him in the role.

“It’s not an easy job but it’s a really nice job because of the people I get to talk to. I remember talking to Diesel who I have loved for 20 or 25 years, interviewing him face-to-face and hearing him play live,” the presenter said.

“But then you have just people who you’ve never heard of before who are doing amazing stuff and it’s just that thing of I’m getting to share their story. What else do you do when you’re used to getting that satisfaction from helping people and sharing things with people?”

Mr Saunders said one of his most memorable moments was having knives thrown at him under the circus tent for a radio package. Another time he said jumped from the ten metre platform at the Lightning Ridge Diving Centre.

“It was scary. It was really scary,” he said.

While he had done plenty of hard-hitting stories, Mr Saunders said it had been the stories where “people were being people” that stuck with him.

“Even the politicians are people and having fun with them is actually nice. You don’t remember the bad stuff it’s just having a nice time with people that stays in your memory. I’ve been lucky enough to have heaps of nice times,” he said.

ABC Western Plains chief of staff Nick Lowther said it was Mr Saunders’ commitment to the audience that made him so popular and set him apart from the rest.

The people of Dubbo and the region had been a great support, Mr Saunders said.

“Anything could happen tomorrow but I do love what I do,” he said.