Before there was American Idol, there was Pat Cameron, who as host of the influential radio show, `On Show Young Guyana,` helped give recognition to the musical abilities of many young Guyanese.
Pat was born on October 3, 1924 to Lilian Gertrude Christiani and Henry Perot Christiani. A Bishop’s High School graduate, she worked in the Guyana Civil Service and was trained as a Social Welfare Officer in Jamaica. She entered the world of broadcasting by way of reading scripts for Broadcasts to Schools, then joined Radio Demerara on February 9, 1959. She worked alongside another iconic female broadcaster, Olga Lopes-Seale also known as ‘Aunty Olga.’ Hers was a well-
Apart from being a broadcaster Aunty Pat was a talented actor and an enthusiastic celebrator of Guyanese folk traditions. On the radio she was popular for hosting shows such as A Visit with Patricia, Woman’s World, Countryside Gaff, On Show Young Guyana, Colgate Cavity Fighters Club, Beauty that Endures, Hear What Ah Tell You, Salute to Senior Citizens, The Talking Book (for the Blind), Visits to Institutions at Christmas (Christmas at the Dharm Shala, ..at the Mahaica Hospital, ..at the Georgetown Hospital), A Theme for a Dream, A Song Like Poetry, Woman Home and Family, Music from Mackenzie, A Tapestry of Song, Randy (Randolph) Profitt and the Boys and Yesterpops. Pat did research into Guyanese folklore and recorded a series of programs featuring Guyanese proverbs told in dialect.
Pat was the recipient of many awards such as the Golden Arrow of Achievement, one of Guyana’s highest national awards, for “broadcasting of an exceptionally high standard.” She was also voted Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress for dramatic performances at the Theatre Guild of Guyana and the National Culture Centre of Guyana. Pat loved writing poetry and in 2000 she issued a limited publication of selected poems, titled “This is My Song.”
Pat Cameron belonged to an era of great broadcasters, when radio was the dominant medium, and when a good voice was an important asset. She had a rich and alluring voice. With clear and precise enunciation she would read the news or conduct programmes on the radio. Her programme “A Visit with Patricia” made her one of the most popular announcers and probably the finest of her kind in the Caribbean. Not surprisingly, Pat Cameron became one of the most recognized voices and loved broadcasters.
Aunty Pat dies in June 2009 at the age of 85. She was the mother of Capt. Christopher Cameron, Dianne Cameron-Aaron and Gail Cameron-
REMEMBERING A TRUE GUYANESE ICON.
Truly a memorable Guyanese Personality in the Social and Cultural Circles in Guyana..but most outstanding was her Charitable work with the Children of Guyana..Aunty Pat was truly a Guyanese Icon..RIP.
I remember these great Ladies Pat Cameron and Olga Lopes-Seale. Auntie Olga's daughter and I went to St. Roses and we were in the same class. We even shared the same Birthdate,Month and year! Such wonderful memories of my childhood and these good and kind ladies.
Thank you Camille for sharing your wonderful memories of these lovely ladies.
Do we have any radio clips available …such as programme themes .. etc…. Pat Cameron also hosted Yester-Pops (on Sunday night I think)…