FROM THE NEST TO THE MICROPHONE - CHARLIE NASH CALLS HOME
There's a new voice coming from the boundary line at Gilbert Gordon Oval this weekend, and he's very much one of our own.
Woodend local Charlie Nash makes his home ground debut on the microphone this Saturday when he joins the Riddell District Football Netball League broadcast team for the Hawks' clash with cross-town rival and arch nemesis Macedon. It's a full-circle moment for a young man who simply put his hand up and asked how he could get involved, and the club helped make it happen.
At just 18 years old, Charlie's broadcasting résumé is already turning heads. He launched his commentary career in 2025 calling ice hockey games and has since called an NBL1 game, before becoming a regular voice on RDFNL senior broadcasts each week. Alongside his on-air work, Charlie is studying Film and Television (Honours) at Swinburne University, with his sights firmly set on the big stage, whether that's calling AFL or working for a major production company.
"I'm absolutely loving every minute of it," Charlie said. "Getting to call games and develop my craft week in, week out is something I dreamed about, and to do it at my home ground this weekend against Macedon makes it extra special. I'm grateful to the club for opening the door and backing me, I'm just going to keep working hard and see how far I can take it."
Charlie becomes only the second broadcaster from the Nest to call a game at Gilbert Gordon Oval, following in the footsteps of former local Chris 'Yeendy' Yeend, who made his own commentary debut at the ground back in 2012. Ironically, also when the Hawks played host to the Cats.
The two have stayed closely connected throughout 2026, with Yeendy mentoring Charlie from Queensland and watching his development with great admiration.
"Charlie is eager to learn and has so much potential and energy and he has come so far in such a short space of time," Yeendy said. "He is a special talent that the Woodend-Hesket Football Netball Club community should be proud of."
Yeendy knows better than most what the club can do for a young person with a passion and a dream. Back in 2006, a supportive committee recognised his love of journalism and opened doors for him to write for the Midland Express, a platform that led to full-time work at the publication just four years later. The club also encouraged him to pursue broadcasting with Highlands FM, and the rest is history.
"It's amazing to see that over the course of 20 years, the club, with a different committee, still harbours the same passion to provide a platform for its members to succeed," Yeendy said. "This is why the club will always be so special to all of those who have walked through its doors."
It's a sentiment that speaks to everything Woodend-Hesket stands for. From the playing field to the broadcast booth, this club has always believed in backing its people.
Keep an ear out for Charlie this Saturday. Something tells us it won't be the last time you hear that name.
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Go Hawks!
