ALBURY'S oldest radio station 2AY turned 90 on Thursday but the city's mayor failed to join in the commemoration.
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An interview with Kevin Mack had been scheduled as part of the breakfast show which is hosted by Wodonga's mayor Kev Poulton and Kylie KIng.
After being promoted before a song, the chat failed to materialise with Cr Mack not answering calls.
"I can see the headline now 'mayoral snub from 90th birthday celebrations'," King joked before adding that Cr Mack had a commitment.
Amid laughter Poulton then said: "Should we ring the mayor of Wodonga and see if they've got time for us to help us celebrate our 90th birthday today?"
"He's always got something to say," King replied to guffaws from Poulton who then said "well played".
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Cr Mack's contribution would have tied-in with Albury Council's involvement on December 17, 1930 when the mayoress Ellen Waugh officially opened the station as part of a grand occasion that saw entertainment range from a rendition of "God Save The King" to songs from the Albury Male Voice Quartet.
To mark yesterday's big milestone, Poulton and King joined newsreaders Paul McSwiney and Andy Walker, who combined have worked for 90 years at the station, in singing "Happy Birthday".
Walker, a former breakfast announcer who played football for North Albury, then cut a celebratory chocolate mudcake topped with lettering stating 'Happy 90th birthday 2AY'.
"You would not want to run through this thing," he said after slicing up the rich delicacy.
"It sort of reminds me of the centre of Bunton Park when I played footy."
Walker relayed a joke that breakfast host Laurie Henry played on newsreader Ray Currie, who left the prankster alone with his scripts.
"Laurie's got hold of his news booklet and with 100 staples he's just stapled every page together, so Ray's turned the page to read the first story and here are 100 staples all through his news," Walker said.
"So he had to memorise what he'd written and just ad lib the news.
"It was a ripper."
The station has been owned by Ace Radio since 2005 and is the oldest outlet in that group which includes Wangaratta's 3NE and Deniliquin's 2QN.
