YOUNG Catholic and broadcaster Scott McDonald, known as “Scotty” to his mates and 96.5FM fans, sashays into the radio station sporting boardshorts and thongs.
“I’ve dressed up today,” he said referring instead to his trademark 96.5FM t-shirt.
“But I’d never have gotten away with these (the boardshorts and thongs) at B105.”
The voice of 96.5FM’s “Nite Alive” program (7pm-10pm weeknights) doubles as youth worker for St Thomas’ Parish, Camp Hill.
Landing both jobs six months ago, life “is pretty much perfect” for Scotty, 19.
“(Life is) as perfect as it can be,” he said, admitting his “dream to be on radio” began early.
“I can remember being seven and doing fake radio shows at home,” the former Villanova College student said.
“I’d interview my cousins … I wanted to do the Hot 30 on B105.”
Saying “it’s pretty funny” he now “does the opposite” because of the nature of 96.5FM’s “Christianity focus”, Scotty is “excited” to be part of the station’s “mission”.
“The greatest part of this station is how it lives its Christian mission,” he said.
“We play secular music that doesn’t have a negative impact … and then throw in a few Christian messages.
“Hopefully this sparks something in people who are surfing around the dial.”
Scotty first volunteered on radio as part of a “kids’ classic program” for 4MBS (Classic FM).
He also dabbled in voluntary and paid work with B105, something he also said was “pretty exciting”.
A move to Townsville after high school revealed where he “really wanted to be”.
“I worked at the hub of radio stations (in Townsville),” Scotty said.
“After about two months I realised it wasn’t the lifestyle I wanted.
“I wanted to be grounded with family and friends and moved back to Brisbane.”
After coming home Scotty was invited to join other young Catholics in what he described as “a welcoming into a new world of Catholicism”.
“The experience turned everything in my life on its head,” he said.
“I formed relationships that are just incredible … with people I called my best friends not a part of my life anymore.”
With the realisation of the value of faith and more in tune with God’s plan, Scotty made other changes.
“I was never a big drinker but at this time I did leave behind the typical teenage thing … clubbing.
“I used to do it every weekend … in the Valley on a Saturday night.
“I started to separate myself from it.”
Scotty’s parents Clare and John were equally “excited” about their son’s “complete faith transformation”.
“I definitely had faith as a child but I was probably more of a Sunday Catholic … I didn’t care about it aside from that,” he said.
“Today I have a new view of faith. I’ve taken it on and I understand it in my own way. It’s not just a Sunday thing.”
Scotty said he’s realised “a Catholic lifestyle is way more fulfilling”.
“I’ve realised having a God-centred life gives you everything you want and doesn’t leave you feeling unfulfilled,” he added.
Scotty bases all his decisions on prayer and enjoys shared prayer experiences with Camp Hill and deanery youth as well as other staff and volunteers at 96.5FM.
“(Those at) the station meet every week day for prayer at 11am,” he said.
“Everything that happens here is totally based on prayer … and you do have to regularly attend church.
“Spiritual life is very important.”
Scotty said the community station based in the inner-northern Brisbane suburb of Alderley is “thriving because it is so close to God”.
He described 96.5FM as a “flagship media outlet” for World Youth Day, Scotty first involved with the station on the “World Youth Day show” (aired nightly during Days in the Diocese) with former youth co-ordinator for Brisbane East Deanery.
The opportunity to continue with Nite Alive came from that initiative while ministering in St Thomas’ began after his involvement as a World Youth Day leader.
The latter experience particularly continues to impact Scotty.
“World Youth Day brought home the ‘globalness’ of our Church,” he said.
“It was so exciting to see young people not afraid to ask questions and for priests and bishops make such an effort to spend time with them.
“There’s no question that youth in the Catholic Church are there.”
Working on “new plans” for youth ministry in Camp Hill, Scotty hopes to also study social work and “build up” his “social base”.
Tomorrow (January 26) he will do exactly that – broadcasting at and compering the Christian music festival “Sonfest” at Mansfield – visibly excited about the presence of other Brisbane Catholic and musician Roby Curtis.
“I have a gift I’m meant to share … I also like being the centre of attention,” Scotty said with a broad grin.
