
It is with heavy hearts that we report Andrew Lack (pictured here with Paula from Bangers N Mash) from Woori Yallock was tragically killed in a head on collision on the Warburton Highway, Seville on the morning of Thursday 4th April. Andrew was age 54.
3MDR and our communities have lost a much loved member and supporter of the station.
The 3MDR family extends its deepest sympathies to Andrew’s partner Mu, family and friends.
Andrew made many friends amongst the 3MDR presenter group and the station’s community over the last 10 years or so and we are reeling from the loss of our dear friend.
A truly beautiful soul, Andrew was one of 3MDR’s greatest supporters and tuned into many a program throughout any given week. The studio SMS line would receive several messages a week mostly showing appreciation for a track just played or for a request. A subscriber numerous times over with aliases such as Belly Button Lint, Inanimate Carbon Rod, Joey Joey Sha Da Ado Jr, Ted Buggins and as Andrew Lack himself he aimed to subscribe to a show a month. He loved the station and he valued community radio with all it has to offer.
It was not uncommon to receive regular parcels of CDs and gifts from Andrew, addressed to various presenters of shows such as Chick Habit with Sally & Michelle, Bangers N Mash with Paula or Cosmik Debris with Sebastian to name just a few. It was always a pleasure whenever Andrew popped into the station. Sometimes he would arrive with bags of goodies for community groups who he had heard about on 3MDR, a painting for a presenter’s birthday, Doc Martin shoes he found at a market which he thought someone may like or simply some kind words of encouragement and appreciation for what 100 or so volunteers do each week at the community radio station. He never muttered a negative word about anyone or anything. Nothing but love.
A lover of music, his favourite band being The Clash, Andrew’s musical tastes were extensive and he enjoyed numerous programs on 3MDR. From Chick Habit’s women-focused punk, soul, rock, to the request laden Bangers N Mash to the rock and or roll, psych, jazz and genre defiant on Cosmik Debris to the rockabilly, punkobilly, psychobilly of Rockbilly Drive By to the soothing chants on the Buddhist Hour and all those inbetween, Andrew had his radio tuned to 97.1fm on a regular basis.
Andrew would also support 3MDR’s events whenever the station got out and about in the community. We have fond memories of Andrew enjoying the Pirate Radio Day, numerous Big Gigs, Rockin’ The Ranges, Bangers N Mash at the Bell and more recently the Open Day at Forest Park Homestead followed by the 2018 Back To School Radiothon Graduation Day celebrations. He was also a supporter of other local community stations, and had recently guest-presented a show on Yarra Valley 99.1fm.
We extend our love and condolences to Mu, family and friends. The 3MDR door will always be open to you and the kettle will be on, should you ever need some company in a safe space.
Such was the love in Andrew, we feel blessed to have known him and he will remain a part of 3MDR’s family forever.
A funeral service for Andrew will be held at Le Pine Ferntree Gully, 2:30PM Friday 12th April.
We invite you to tune into Chick Habit this Friday as a few 3MDR presenters are hosting a special tribute show celebrating Andrew's love of music from 5-7pm.
With warm regards
The 3MDR Family