Huth has responded to a call from Greater Taree City mayor Eddie Loftus for ‘new young blood’ to stand for the council elections on September 13.

At 41, he says he has the interest of his Manning community at heart, has a sound knowledge of how council and politics in general works, and the time to devote his youthful energies to doing the job well.

Mayor Loftus last week said that while retired experts are invaluable for their knowledge and experience, he would like to see some new councillors who are possibly now working in and with the community to put their hands up for a councillor challenge.

Huth is the first to respond, saying the time is right for him to give back to a community he loves.

“I’m very keen to be part of this race,” he said this week as he announced his intentions to seek one of the nine councillor positions.

Although he has only been in Taree for two-and-a-half years, the Radio 2RE and MAX-FM announcer has a wealth of experience dealing with the public around Australia, including having interviewed high profile politicians such as the prime minister.

“It’s true, as Mayor Loftus said, there’s not a lot of young people becoming part of government at any level – local, State or federal.

“If I can stand and in doing so encourage other young people to do the same, then change will come about. We need a catalyst for young people to be active in their community and be willing to give it a go. Like everything, competition is good, and it brings out the best in everyone.”

Huth’s Taree radio role keeps him busy from 4.30am when his alarm goes off, until well after 3pm each day five days a week.

He’s in the studio by 5am in time for a lot of preparation including reading all the newspapers – the locals and nationals – as well as checking the ’net for the latest headline-making news and views.

His breakfast show lasts from 6am to 9am, then he doubles up with an afternoon on air from noon to 3pm.

There’s no rest in between however, as there are always commercials to be done, more research, and interesting interviews with “anyone from the prime minister to Tina Arena”.

Huth also acts as a ‘floater’ for 2HD in Newcastle, filling in on talkback for the network, which includes stations as diverse as 2SM in Sydney to 4GY in Gympie.

Alternate Saturdays sees Huth working six days a week, back in the Taree studio early for a sports show. He believes the talkback format of his shows reflects his desire to be a part of the community, and he’s particularly fond of the issues that make a difference to people’s lives.

“I’m very interested in politics… very interested in government at all its levels,” he says. He also admits to his enthusiasm for council matters being heightened by a cousin, Peter Huth, who was for some time mayor of Gayndah in Queensland.

Unlike some councillor candidates, Huth’s life is - by virtue of his career choice – well out there in the public domain.

Dubbed ‘The Dice Man’ on MAX-FM purely as the result of a bit of radio banter, he accepts the ready connection such a tag gives him with his younger audience especially.

“There was nothing more in it than a bit of a chat with another announcer before a special promotion, during which I had a couple of dice sitting on my desk. That’s how the name came about, and it’s stuck.

“The kids started to get a feel for the name, and the dice are still there in the studio, but not for any special purpose. It’s been a fun thing that’s appealed to the younger audience,” he says.

Thanks to his working hours, Huth has no problems offering himself for council service, which involves meetings usually held late in the afternoon and evening.

“If I need to, I can juggle other council commitments throughout the day,” he says.

Naturally, youth issues are high on his agenda, and he would like to see the city council be in a position to offer more services for the younger generation.

“As well, I love promoting our area and especially better use of our river. More events happening on the river means more visitors injecting more money into our local economy.

“We really do have one of the best rivers in Australia. I know that, having travelled from one end of the country to the other.

“Roads are certainly a huge issue for Greater Taree City Council, and I am in a position working in talkback radio to know that the community regards this as so.”

He fully realises, however, that council must work within its budgetary restraints… “that it must work to the guidelines.”

“Until such time as I’m part of it, I can’t really comment further, other than to say I will, when elected, put a lot of time into digesting all the information.”

Huth is eager to see other younger people follow his lead in putting their names forward for a councillor position.

“There must be many younger businessmen and women with a passion for the Manning, and who are – like me – in a position to have the time to devote to the area.

“It will certainly be an interesting road to follow.”