NADYA ANDERSON
3 April 1952 - 17 Nov 2025

The Triple R community were deeply saddened to learn of the recent passing of Nadya Anderson – one of the station’s original trailblazers. Our thoughts go out to her family and friends. Nadya was one of Triple R’s first volunteer and music coordinators in the late 1970s, and played a key role in getting women on-air. A true pioneer of her time.

“Back then there were hardly any female voices on radio… things have changed so much and it’s really hard to remember what it was like back then. We, on Triple R, made an unbelievable difference to commercial radio... Commercial radio was totally male. If they had a woman on, it was to belittle her or make fun of her or treat her as a bit of fluff... Triple R did change that.” – Nadya, interviewed by Chris Hatzis for the 1980 episode of the 40 Years in 40 Days audio documentary series.

Nadya also held down shows on-air in the early days of the station, hosting programs such as Sidetracks, described as a ‘selection of contemporary music from outside the commercial mainstream’, and the Late, Late Breakfast show on Sundays, among others.

Nadya and Kirstie Armiger-Grant at Geoff King's farewell party.

Image credit: Suzanne Phoenix

Below, Geoff King, who worked on staff 1978 - 1981, was a broadcaster for over 20 years and also Chair of the Triple R Board from 1995-2023, pens a tribute to Nadya.

A Tribute by Geoff King

In 1978, 3RMT FM (it became 3RRR later that year) was settling into its first major incarnation under Sue Mathews' management. We needed someone to really grab the reins of training and co-ordinating the volunteer broadcasters, someone with intelligence and focus who would advance the station's ethos and broadcasting mandate. Nadya Anderson was that person. She had developed her skills in her involvement with the attempt by the Melbourne University Student Union to gain a community broadcasting licence.

At RMT, within the broad group of committed staff and volunteers, there was a core of smart and talented women, and Nadya joined this circle. In her role as Volunteers Coordinator – this was well before the station had Program Managers - she recognised and encouraged talent, particularly women, and proved to be an inspiring teacher and role model for trainee announcers. She was an absolute pleasure to work with, but she had a steely streak when hearing sloppy broadcasting, and worked to high standards.

Nadya spirited off to London in 1981 to run the office of Robin Scott, best known as 'M' with his hit record, 'Pop Muzic.' She then managed an emerging record producer, Nick Launay. Subsequently they married, and moved to Sydney where they had two children. Launay became extremely successful, producing Midnight Oil, Silverchair and most recently Amyl and the Sniffers amongst many other successful records.

In later years, Nadya kept up her passions for salsa dancing and sculpture until she was caught by a rare cancer.

Nadya's talent as a broadcaster, her enthusiasm for community radio and alternative music and her individual personal style made her a role model whose influence extends well beyond her years at the station.

Everyone at Triple R is eternally grateful for Nadya Anderson’s part in making Triple R what it is today.

Kirstie Armiger-Grant, Nadya, Geoff King, Helen Thomas and Sue Mathews