Jason Beasley-Hahn, one of Kiama Community Radio’s most engaging presenters, has lived a life anything but ordinary.

His life took a dramatic turn before he was even a year old. His father, Alf Beasley,

a celebrated speedway driver and one of the original “Thunderbugs”, tragically died in a crash at Tracey’s Speedway in Melbourne while Jason was at the track in his mother’s arms.

Later, his mother married Kevin Hahn, also a member of the Thunderbugs team, and the family began using the surname Hahn for simplicity. A few years later, Jason welcomed a little sister, Lisa, who was born with Down syndrome. To Jason and his siblings, she was simply their cherished sister.

Jason gained a deep appreciation and understanding from his experiences with Lisa, who lived a full and meaningful life into her fifties before passing away due to medical complications.

Despite the family’s deep roots in speedway racing, neither Jason nor his older brother ever got behind the wheel of a race car.

Their father’s death left a legacy of both pride and caution – a respect for the thrills of the track, and a quiet understanding of its risks.

Growing up in Clayton, just outside Melbourne, Jason left school in Year 10 to begin an apprenticeship as a fitter and turner.

It lasted only three months – his rebellious refusal to cut his hair for machinery safety meant he had to leave, much to his parents’ disappointment.

Jason soon found himself working as a clerical assistant, where he discovered the public service was a true meritocracy.

He thrived, progressing from clerical assistant to clerk, and by age 25 was studying part-time at university for a bachelor’s degree while building his career.

His work flourished across both federal and state public service roles, including time at the Department of Industrial Relations, where he became known as a “boundary spanner” – bridging technology and business.

He landed a role at Deloitte in management consulting, then moved to Unisys, before being headhunted by tech giant IBM where he juggled high-stakes projects and major clients across the Asia Pacific.

A head-hunter friend soon opened the door to Gartner, the world’s top IT research firm, where Jason ran their prestigious executive program across the Asia Pacific region.

In 2005 he went under spinal surgery but he returned to consulting, lending his expertise to Deloitte, NCR, Objective, and Forrester, navigating the complexities of high-level projects.

Two years ago, his journey took a difficult turn with a diagnosis of chronic myeloid leukaemia.

Jason underwent treatment and is now thankfully in remission.

His experience has deepened his perspective on life, resilience, and the importance of embracing every moment.

When asked about his daughters, Jason’s face lights up with genuine pride. His youngest has found her calling working as a senior staff member at a large financial institution — a role she absolutely loves.

His eldest daughter’s journey, however, has been far more challenging. About six years ago, she began suffering severe migraines that worsened into seizures. The diagnosis was a benign brain tumour, a frightening ordeal for the whole family.

“She started losing feeling down one side, and it was becoming dangerous,” Jason recalls.

Thankfully, modern medicine offered hope. Although initially surgery was ruled out and she was offered treatment with a Gamma Knife, a highly precise form of targeted radiation therapy, it would not be conclusive and the radio therapy had side effects.

A chance meeting by a family friend with another brain surgeon offered hope and after several restless weeks she chose to have the surgery. Overall a very successful outcome with very little side effects meaning she got her life back.

Jason met Val nine years ago. After living between Neutral Bay, Paddington, and Balmain, they moved to Minnamurra two and a half years ago.

Recently, Jason and Val have been all about adventure. Last November, they spent an unforgettable month exploring South America and Antarctica - “absolutely amazing,” Jason says.

Soon after, they soaked up the sun in Bali before heading to the Greek islands. After a week with friends on Turkey’s coast, they sailed the Aegean, dropping anchor at beach clubs with Greek wine waiting.

Athens’ museums and Meteora’s breathtaking monasteries, perched high on rock pillars, were highlights.

“Climbing in 40-degree heat was tough but worth every step,” Jason recalls.

After being retrenched due to health, Jason found himself at a loose end. “I was just a grumpy old man with nothing to do,” he laughs.

Val spotted Kiama Community Radio at the farmers market and encouraged him to reach out.

He began training and soon felt at home behind the console – despite occasionally leaving the mic on (or off) at the wrong times and learning the dreaded term dead air the hard way.

Jason brings a lifetime of knowledge, humour, and curiosity to KCR, always humble and endlessly willing to learn.

“I know some people are listening and enjoying it, and that’s enough for me,” he says.

His Tuesday breakfast show from 7-9am is his chance to play songs he loves – both danceable 1970s and ‘80s along with a few romantic songs while sharing local news and events with listeners.