An 18-year-old Paul Turton first got the idea of working in broadcast on the way to his carpenter job, and he has never looked back.
"An ad came on the radio, and it sounded a hell of a lot better than being a carpenter's apprentice," he told the Newcastle Herald.
After more than 40 years in radio, the ABC Newcastle presenter has announced he is leaving to spend more time with his family.
On the Wednesday, May 27, NSW Mornings broadcast, Turton stopped by the studio after being on leave for the past few weeks to speak about his departure with fill-in host Niav Owens.
"I've found that I've enjoyed leave just a little bit too much, so I won't be returning, and I just wanted to come in and say farewell," Turton told 1233 ABC Newcastle.
"I hesitate to use the word retirement because it implies some sense of slowing down and I don't want to do that," he said.
He thanked the listeners and all contributors who had been on the show over the years.
"It has been terrific to be engaged in that relationship with people around the state," he said.
Turton grew up in Cobar before his family moved to Newcastle when he was a child.
He was first hired as an office boy in 2CCC in Canberra at age 18, where he used to get coffee and pick up dry cleaning.
He moved back to Newcastle to work at 2NX radio before starting at the ABC in 1989, where he has come and gone a few times throughout his career.
"I carved out a career for myself and I've been incredibly lucky that people have provided opportunities for me, and it has been a hell of a ride and I loved every minute of it," he said.
Turton has hosted Newcastle Drive and Breakfast in the past and most recently was the host of ABC NSW Mornings from Monday to Thursday.
"I will miss it, it was a tough call to be honest," Turton said.
"I've been so focused on work for decades now, because we were on a timeline that dictates where we need to be Monday to Friday, it just makes those little life moments hard," he said.
He said the death of his friend and colleague James Valentine was somewhat of a catalyst for his decision, as it was hard to know what was around the corner.
"I'm anxious to catch up on all of those and to spend more time with my wife and with our kids and grandkids," he said.
"There's nothing on the agenda, I've got plenty of jobs around the house to do and plenty of family moments to get involved in."
Turton remembered interviewing everyday people to prime ministers, music stars and covering disasters such as the Newcastle earthquake.
Surrounded by his former colleagues, Turton reflected on his time with the radio station.
While he had done many interviews with influential people, he said he saw himself more as offering entertainment and companionship.
"I liked the day-to-day stuff, that is the thing that has been important to me," he said.
Turton said he could see a future where he considers doing something broadcast-related like a podcast with some friends but it would just be for fun.
1233 ABC Newcastle editor Lucia Hill said Turton's contribution had been significant.
"Intelligent, funny, genuine and brave, Paul will leave a big void at ABC Newcastle, where he's an admired, respected colleague and friend to so many," she said.
Upcoming programming arrangements will be announced in the coming weeks.
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