John Dease

Who was John Dease?

Conly John Paget Dease was a prominent Australian radio presenter and quiz show host in the 1940s and 50s.

He was born in Bhamo, Upper Burma, son of an English lieutenant in the 91st Punjabi Regiment. He completed his schooling after the family's return to Somerset then rather than follow his father into the army migrated in 1923 to South Australia as one of the Barwell Boys. He was first indentured as a farm labourer to E H Mattner of Clare, South Australia but failed to impress however, and likewise failed in a 1925 apprenticeship to printer Hunter Bros. of Leabrook . In 1928 he began teaching at Scotch College, Adelaide followed by a stint at Tudor House, Moss Vale, New South Wales then from 1930–1933 at Scots College, Sydney.

He was meanwhile building his stage skills with Doris Fitton's Independent Theatre, featuring in productions such as Musical Chairs and Ship of Heaven until 1933, when he started working professionally for J C Williamson in musical comedies. In 1935 he signed up as an announcer with radio 2GB, headquarters of the Macquarie Radio Network, eventually becoming its chief announcer.