Ben Hession, a Wollongong broadcaster, writer and music lover, is being remembered as a selfless champion of local music and community radio. Hession, who presented the Australian Independent Music Show on community station VOX FM, died suddenly last week after an illness lasting several months. He was 58 and had lived with a heart condition for years.
VOX FM secretary Lilian Wings said Hession was a cornerstone of the station for more than 34 years. 'His voice, his vision, and his unwavering commitment shaped the station into a true community hub,' she said. Many Wollongong bands received their first airplay on his show, and his dedication extended beyond music to serving on the board and as president multiple times.
Local record store owner Jeb Taylor of Music Farmers said there was no bigger supporter of Australian music in Wollongong than Hession. 'For more than three decades Ben dedicated his life to community radio, in that time he gave basically every local artist in Wollongong their first radio airplay and on-air interview,' Taylor said.
Musician Griffin James, who co-presented the Australian Independent Music Show with Hession, described him as possibly the most unselfish person he had ever known. 'Ben was that constant champion for Wollongong and Australian music,' James said. 'He pretty much gave up every Monday night of his life for at least the last 30 years for his 2VOX show, which was a completely voluntary act.'
Hession was also a mentor to young writers and a regular presence at live music shows since the 1990s. Neighbour and friend James Corrick called him 'an awesomely lovely dude' and 'a really lovely and genuine human being'. Music promoters Yours and Owls also paid tribute, noting Hession was there at the beginning when they started out.
