Rod McNeil is an Australian radio and TV presenter who is now living and working in Thailand. For several years he has been enjoying a new frontier of travel and great experiences throughout this ancient Kingdom and beyond, seeking out unique people, places and events that make this colourful region worthy of its amazing reputation. Many of these stories were initially broadcast in the programs of Capital Television.
Curriculum Vitae
NATIONALITY: Australian
LANGUAGE: English
LANGUAGE STUDIES: Thai
Completed three-year Thai Language Certificate Course – 2004 Sydney University – Department of S.E. Asian Languages – Thai I,II & III, including in-country speaking, reading & writing extension course – 2002 Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY:
2006 – Present
Capital Television Group, Bangkok, Thailand
Senior Reporter & Producer – country-wide field stories for weekly TV magazine programs “Destination Thailand”, “Pattaya Plus”, “Phuket Plus” & “Chiang Mai Plus”, broadcast throughout Thailand on satellite, cable & terrestrial networks; Voice-over artist & actor – company TV commercials; Studio Presenter for above TV programs – as required
2005 – 2007
Berlitz International Language School, Bangkok
English Teacher – TEFL adult Thai and foreign students
2003 – 2004
Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) – Classic FM Radio, Sydney, N.S.W.
Presenter – light classical holiday program
2000 – 2003
Radio 97.8 FM, Sydney
Producer & Presenter – ”Jazz Plus” Saturday music program
1999 – 2003
TV Broadcast – Opening of Victorian State Parliament
Commentator and Interviewer
1999
Australian Feature Film – “The Dish”
Re-created own original 1969 radio news bulletin announcing Apollo 11 lunar landing to nationwide Australian audience
1992 – 1999
ABC Radio News, Melbourne, Victoria
Senior Newsreader – Victorian morning news bulletins
1990 – 1992
M.C. – Duke of Edinburgh ‘Plain English Speaking Awards’
Host & Interviewer – Australasian contestants at Melbourne Arts Centre
1986 – 1991
M.C. – Melbourne Wine Show
Host & Interviewer – Annual Dinner & Awards Night including announcement and presentation of Australia’s most prestigious wine award “The Jimmy Watson Trophy”
1985 – 1992
ABC Radio 3LO, Melbourne
Announcer – news & music breakfast program – rated #1 on three occasions – includes interviews with Mel Gibson, Kylie Minogue, Barry Humphries, Lou Rawls & Victorian Premier Jeff Kennett
1984 – 1985
Radio Australia – International 24-hr News Service
Newsreader – major hourly bulletins; Presenter “Top Ten Hits”
1984
Radio 3AK, Melbourne
Announcer – top-rating “Sunday Afternoon Good Music” program
1980 – 1983
Network Ten Television, Melbourne
Newsreader – weekend news; Ten News Team co-reader/reporter – M-F bulletins as required;
1980
Radio 3 FOX-FM, Melbourne
Announcer – “Adult Mix” evening program – easy listening/ light jazz/popular music
1978 – 1979
Network Ten Television, Sydney, N.S.W.
Newsreader – inaugural daytime M-F “Midday News”; Host & Interviewer “Celebrity Interview” series – guests included Brooke Shields, Bette Midler, Peter Allen, Dolly Parton, Village People, Yootha Joyce, Harry Belafonte, Iggy Pop, Edith Head, Harry Chapin; Presenter – “The Making of ‘Arcade’ “ soap-opera series special; “Ten News” Reporter – as required
1978 – 1979
Actor – Television
Commercials – ‘Kelvinator’ refrigerators series – reporter with Dick Emery comic characters
Drama – “McCloud” U.S. police series starring Dennis Weaver – Australia episode, TV reporter
1976 – 1978
Qantas In-flight Entertainment
Presenter – classical music audio program
1977
Radio 5AA, Adelaide, South Australia
Announcer – M-F early afternoon program “Good Music” – rated #1 on two occasions
1977
Radio 2CH, Sydney, N.S.W.
Announcer – Saturday night program “Beautiful Music”
1970 – 1976Actor – Live Theatre, Sydney
Studied acting and appeared in plays at innovative ‘Ensemble Theatre-in-the-Round’, Sydney – including “The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail” – central character role, Thoreau’s brother John; “Alphabetical Order” – leading character role; “We Bombed in New Haven” – supporting role
1966 – 1976
ABC Radio & Television, Sydney
TV Newsreader – 7pm M-F news bulletins; Newsreader – national radio bulletins; Announcer – various radio programs including feature interviews with Eartha Kitt, Neil Sedaka, Spike Milligan, Jerry Lewis, Mel Torme, Harry Secombe, Chips Rafferty; Presenter – Australian component of “Family Favourites”, renowned BBC Radio international music request show co-hosted by Michael Aspel in London
1962 – 1965
ABC Radio – Papua New Guinea Service
Newsreader & Program Announcer from age 19 – 9PA Port Moresby & 9RB Rabaul
1961
PNG Administration – Department of Information, Port Moresby
Contributing Editor – monthly news publication “Nius Bilong Yumi”
EDUCATION:
1960 Graduate – Anglican Grammar School, Brisbane, Queensland
PROFESSIONAL ABILITIES & SKILLS:
—Proficient Radio Presentation, Varity of Script Types
—Articulate/Precise Radio Voice Presentation Quality
—Excellent Communicator, Interpersonal & Social Etiquette
—Radio Program Production, Announcer/Panelist
—Commitment to Operational Objectives
—Strong Organisation/Coordination Ability
—Maintain Equilibrium under Pressure
—Lateral Thinker, Demonstrated Initiative
—Results-oriented
