van Laarhoven couple awarded Centenary Medal

A tendency toward ‘pathological optimism’ has helped a former radio couple to dual honours in the Prime Minister’s Centenary Medal announcements.

Mark and Suzie van Laarhoven (who might be better remembered as Mark Lea and Suzie Pearson by former Austereo staffers) were recognized for their comprehensive management of a program encompassing fifty individual events during Centenary of Federation during 2001.

van Laarhoven told radioinfo: “We have fond memories of ‘doing a lot with not much’, particularly during our Canberra radio time but that paled into insignificance next to the Event creation, Sponsorship generation, marketing and media management required for success during Centenary of Federation.”