Shelly Thompson – The Voice of Q Country returns home

Shelly Thompson—many in our area may still think of her as Shelly Yaremchuk, Downtown Shelly Brown, or most recently, Shelly of “The All New Q Mornings with Tim and Shelly”, and News Anchor of Q Country 91.5 Morning News in Brandon.

Baldur is Shelly’s hometown. She’s the daughter of the late Samuel Yaremchuk, Baldur School’s first principal, and her homeroom Grade 7/8 Teacher as well as her Coach in various sports! During a recent conversation, Shelly shared her journey of coming full circle, both professionally and personally, home to Manitoba in 2018.

And after over 20 plus years in the broadcasting industry in Radio, TV and print, Shelly now finds herself back in the very building where her career first began. She’s also returned to her rural roots and, in a serendipitous twist, married Robert Thompson, her high school sweetheart in 2022 in Glenboro at the S.A Olsen Field. “Life is great,” Shelly said, beaming. “I honestly couldn’t be happier. I’m doing what I love, I love being “back home in ‘Toba,’ and I’m married to the love of my life.”

When asked if this was the career she always envisioned, Shelly’s response was emphatic. “I am spot on where I want to be! I remember my Grade 9 Teacher Mrs. Richmond in Baldur asking if I had a career in mind. I answered, “I’m going to be a writer!” Shelly chuckled, recalling how her teacher’s reverse psychology pushed her to work even harder to realize her goal of becoming a Broadcast Journalist. Despite encouragement from her family, particularly her Dad, to consider going to University to take Education like he and his 3-brothers did; Shelly was steadfast in her desire for a career in Broadcasting.

“I had a passion for writing,” Shelly shared, “because growing up in a large and loud Ukrainian family, my Dad was one of 8-kids; her Mum OllieYaremchuk came from a family of 3-kids; I couldn’t be shy to be heard! I’m naturally curious, so asking questions came naturally.”

Following high school, Shelly enrolled in the National Institute of Broadcasting in Winnipeg, where she honed her media skills in the Radio/TV Arts program while at the same time working full-time; and landing her first job at CKDR in Dryden, Ontario, “I was placed there after College, however “I didn’t last long – after four months, I came home and got a job at 1570 then 880 CKLQ AM Brandon, the best 2-years of my young Broadcasting career. I learned so much! ”

Though Q Country 91.5FM has changed ownership and technology has greatly improved over the years, it’s still the same building she now works in; “I still get chills walking in the side door to go to work at Q Country 91.5!”

Shelly’s Broadcasting career took her to various media roles, from Dryden, to Brandon to Moncton and Fredericton, New Brunswick; then landing her dream job at 680 CJOB/97.5 FM Winnipeg in 1990. Shelly was able to train in TV at the then CKY TV/now known as CTV Winnipeg, and was a Journalist and News Anchor also at 92 CITI FM/KY 58 Winnipeg. From Winnipeg, Shelly moved to Regina and worked in Radio briefly before her daughter was born, then later landed another dream TV position as Anchor/Reporter for Global TV Regina, staying there for 8 years, and anchored while expecting her son, Thomas.

Shelly left the media in 2001 to become a Senior Political Advisor to then Mayor Pat Fiacco in Regina, Saskatchewan for almost 4-years; a move that was initiated by her desire to spend more time with her children, Alexandra and Thomas.

There was another move, this time to Toronto in 2004, where Shelly landed a freelance Story Producer post for the now defunct, “Canada AM”, and training for CTV News Channel in Toronto. Yet, despite years of television experience and achievements, her true passion remains in radio. “I love the live aspect of radio; it’s immediate, which makes it so much fun and exciting. Television is live, but it takes a team of people to put a newscast on the air twice daily, or a continuous news cycle. Radio is immediate!”

Shelly left Broadcasting shortly, returning to the University classroom in 2012 for The Life Skills Training program – Phase 1 Life Skills Coach and started her own business working with clients from India to Minnesota and the Greater Toronto area for 6 years. Her Life Coach business is still active today, recently assisting clients during Covid. Shelly’s son Thomas is identified as Special Needs and being home gave her the flexibility to help him get to work, (he had 3 jobs), and to 4 Special Olympics sports in Ontario.

Shelly’s broad broadcasting experience has allowed her to meet and interview countless well-known figures: musicians, actors, sports personalities and political leaders, including every Prime Minister in office throughout her career. Shelly credits her confidence in interviews to thorough preparation and the simple mindset that “we all put our pants on one leg at a time.”

One interview that stands out, however, was with her friend Sandra Schmirler, a three-time Canadian and World Women’s Curling Champion and Olympic Gold Medalist. During a live interview for Global TV Toronto, Sandra announced her terminal cancer diagnosis and retirement. “I really began to cry, sobbing actually—I couldn’t control my emotions,” Shelly recalled. “I thought the Anchor, Peter Kent would be upset, but rather, he told me after the broadcast that it was the most raw and touching segment I had ever done for the National broadcast.” Even 24 years later, Shelly becomes emotional when remembering that moment, Sandra was a world re-known curling sports figure, but she was firstly, her friend.

“I always missed the country life, the people, the community, where everyone volunteers for local events and festivals, and helps their neighbor”, Shelly said, explaining how rural life never left her heart, even during her time in the big city of Toronto.

Today, Shelly feels she’s exactly where she belongs – returning to her hometown Baldur roots, and broadcasting from the station where her career started, and finding such joy in in both her work and home life. “I am humbled”.

PHOTO CAPTION: Hailing from Baldur, and after a carreer spanning many years and many provinces, Shelly Thompson can now be heard close to home on Q-Country 91.5 FM. PHOTO SUBMITTED