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Rick Milne

Rick Milne (pictured) is one of the popular members of the ‘Overnighters’ Antiques and Collectables Program, 12.05am Fridays.
He and radio host Keith McGowan met up just weeks after the first Overnighters radio program went to air at 3AW around 1990.
Rick Milne had been working in the advertising industry as a successful freelance copywriter, and one of his investments was a vacant warehouse. It’s a long story, but he and wife Margaret found themselves buying the contents of an old general store at Talbot, in central Victoria.
Keith McGowan heard about the Milne’s sale of ‘collectables’ ... something quite different for the times when antiques meant traditional items such as china, pottery and glass.

Rick Milne was invited onto the new program for a chat, and listeners’ calls were invited ... first,not a single call, then an avalanche that lasted all morning.
Soon, Rick accepted an offer to become a regular on Keith’s program, with Rick receiving a similar offer just minutes later from Ramona Koval of the ABC.
Ever since, Friday mornings has meant a two-hour Antiques and Collectables program, with the second panellist being Ian Armstrong, who was invited for one program but stayed!
Other panel members include pottery expert Marvin Hurnell, antiques specialist Wendy Dunne, Coca-Cola enthusiast Allan Pennant and People’s Paraphernalia associate Grant Shellard.

The program comprises listeners’ calls,requesting a valued judgement on the worth of their items.
What comes through most is the sense of fun and friendship. Rick is quick to point out that a deep friendship has developed with Keith McGowan that is valued greatly.
Rick’s passion for radio is also evident. As a country Victorian youngster, he used to tune into stations around the nation on his crystal set.
His father was a school teacher so the family moved to a number of locations including Nhill, Nalangil near Colac, Larpent, Hamilton, Merino, Williamstown and Murrumbeena.

Rick’s love for radio continues. These days he appears on the stations! He has a weekly spot on Brisbane’s 4BC with Tony Murphy, as well as country stations including Tamworth, Inverell, Longreach, Charleville, Lismore, Taree and the Caralis Network.
Rick started as a messenger boy at the Briggs & James ad agency, delivering reel-to-reel tapes to radio and television stations in Melbourne.
His talents were evident, being promoted to create advertisements, a talent which took he and Margaret to take assignments in Washington and London.

His new-found ‘collectors’ work grew like topsy, and his radio exposure found him speaking to audiences in northern NSW and Queensland.
Rick Milne compiles a weekly column for Saturday’s Age newspaper, as well as the ‘Worth Noting’ feature in Collectormania.
He enjoys a reputation of being fair to people, but he says he owes much to some early advice he received from Keith McGowan:
“Be fair to people. They’re my friends. But don’t be ashamed to make a profit.”

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