Wodonga and Towong Sentinel (Vic. : 1885 - 1954), Friday 24 September 1954, page 4


STARS OF THE AIR WILFRID'THOMAS HAS HAD VARIED CAREER

WILFRID THOMAS, one of radio's most versatile characters, was born of Cornish-Welsh parents, and came to Australia as a baby. At 14, he took a series of office jobs to pay for singing lessons, and made his frst public appearance at 18, as bass soloist in The Messiah. He later had the distinction of being "discovered" by Melba.

His first singing break came when the Westminster Glee Singers toured Australia in the 1930. He was chosen to replace

the baritone, and went with the Singers to almost every country in the world. At this time he began his famous collection of unusual recordings. Further concert work was followed by a trip to Canada and America, to write and produce shows for the

International Broadcasting Company. Before leaving Australia. Thomas had gained a great deal of radio experience, singing, acting, announcing, and writing for the A.B.C. In New York in 1940, the A.B.C. engaged him for a singing tour, and he has been under contract to the organisation ever since. For a year he was its Director of Light Entertainment, organised many wartime shows, and in 1946 took a company to Hong Kong, to entertain the Navy. He has written and narrated numerous features, taken part in Children's Session and Schools' programmes, starred in commercial radio shows, been in documentary films and newsreels. His well-known Wilfrid Thomas Show, broadcast on Monday nights at 8.00 from country Regional stations, based on the principal that information and entertainment can be combined, has been on the air for thirteen years.