John Dease

Conly John Paget Dease (26 May 1906 – 1 February 1979) was a prominent Australian radio presenter and quiz show host at 2GB, Sydney, and through it, the Macquarie Radio Network from 1935 until at least 1969.He was born in Bhamo, Upper Burma, son of a lieutenant in the 91st Punjabi Regiment. He completed his schooling after the family's return to Somerset. Rather than follow his father into the army, he 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 Brothers 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 to 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's in musical comedies.