Meet Melbourne’s community radio stars: Part 1 revealed
Forget Kyle and Jackie O, these local legends are the real stars of Melbourne radio with some on air for 40-odd years. Meet some of our community radio stars.
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Forget Kyle and Jackie-O, these local legends are the real stars of Melbourne radio with some on air for 40-odd years.
These dedicated community radio stars work tirelessly to bring entertainment to their local community from the early morning hours to late at night.
Meet some of our community radio stars.
Neil Rogers, RRR FM
Neil Rogers is a radio personality on RRR FM where he presents The Australian Mood, giving his listeners two hours of jam-packed Australian music.
Rogers started presenting on RRR FM in 1987 with a demo segment on the Australian music show.
RRR FM, based in Brunswick East serves Melbourne and is known for its diverse programming and support for local artists, broadcasting a wide range of music genres, talk shows, and cultural content.
Vasilis Papaioannou aka ‘Bill the Greek’ of Monday Greek, 3CR Melbourne
Vasilis Papaioannou, also known as ‘Bill the Greek’, has been hosting the “Monday Greek” show on 3CR Melbourne radio for more than 30 years.
His show, Monday Greek features traditional Greek music, gardening information and news from Australia and Greece
Papaioannou’s show on 3CR celebrates Greek heritage and connecting with listeners across Melbourne.
Peter Cassidy, 3WBC 94.1FM
Peter Cassidy has been presenting Easy Listening Saturday Afternoon Program since 1995, making it the longest running program on 3WBC, Voices of the Inner East.
Cassidy produces and presents the breakfast program and has been running it for more than 15 years.
3WBC produces more than 20 hours per week of “ethnic broadcasting” to the cities of Whitehorse, Boroondara and Monash representing the multicultural mix the region.
Katie Purvis, Joy 94.9FM,
Katie Purvis presents the Miss Chatelaine on JOY FM, a diverse community radio station known for its inclusive programming that celebrates LGBTQI+ community.
Purvis plays folk, roots, acoustic and pop music while also highlighting queer culture, music, and news.
Miss Chatelaine’s playlists are new, mostly Australian, mostly independent releases, and often by LGBTQI+ artists.
Graeme Lawrie, Radio Eastern 98.1
Graeme Lawrie presents Going Home with Graeme on the Radio Eastern 98.1 community radio that caters to Melbourne’s eastern suburbs.
Lawrie’s show, broadcasted every Monday and Wednesday from 4pm to 6pm, gives listeners a blend of music, chat, and community updates to accompany them on their journey home.
Let it be Beatles Graeme, Gary, Gav, Greg, Sam, Jo and Dave, WYN FM
WYN FM’s Let It Be Beatles has been on air for more than 30 years.
Hosted by passionate Beatles fans Graeme, Gary, Gav, Greg, Sam, Jo and Dave, the iconic show airs on Mondays from 9pm to 11pm on WYN FM, which caters Melbourne’s western suburbs.
Joan Krutli, GDR 95.7FM
Joan Krutli presents Monday Nights with Joan on Golden Days Radio 95.7FM which broadcasts from 6pm to 10pm.
Krutli has been the Monday Drive presenter for GDR since 2009, captivating listeners with her show with offers a mix of music, news and interviews with community theatre directors and cast members.
Colin Tyrus, 88.3 Southern FM
Journalist and broadcaster Colin Tyrus presents A Newsman and His Music program on 88.3 Southern FM every Monday 9am to 11am.
Tyrus’s show offers music, news, talk and has regular guests.
The community radio that caters to the City of Bayside is also know as The Sounds of the Bayside radio.
Lee-Roy, 979FM
Lee-Roy hosts Living the Land of Oz on 979FM which serves the local communities of Melton, Bacchus Marsh, and surrounding areas.
Living the Land of Oz explores and celebrates Australian culture, music, and lifestyle.
Lee-Roy’s show is filled with music from homegrown artists.
Darren ‘Dr Rock’ Grindrod, 98.9 North West FM
Darren ‘Dr Rock’ Grindrod presents Breakfast with Dr Rock and For Your Pleasure on 98.9 North West FM.
Staying true to his name, Dr Rock brings listeners rock music and interviews with locals.
8.9 North West FM is based in Hadfield, Glenroy and caters to the northern suburbs of Melbourne.
Duane D Zigliotto (Captain DdZ), J-AIR 88FM
Duane D Zigliotto, aka Captain DdZ, presents International Caravan on J-Air 88FM.
The show offers music from around the world, showcasing diverse genres, cultures, and artists.
Captain DdZ gives listeners a rich and eclectic selection of international music, taking listeners on a global musical journey during each episode of International Caravan.
With interviews, a live concert and top eight in the world’s musical charts the show is a fan favourite.
David Kuchmar, 96.5 Inner FM
David Kuchmar presents All Happening Breakfast on Saturday from 7am on 95.5 Inner FM that caters to the north eastern region of Melbourne.
Kuchmar has been a breakfast presenter at 96.5 Inner FM since 1995.
96.5 Inner FM first aired in November 1987 after and operates 24 hours. The studio is located in the Warringal Shopping Centre, on the corner of Rosanna Road and Burgundy Street, Heidelberg
David Oaten, Yarra Valley FM
David Oaten has been hitting the airways on Yarra Valley FM for more than 20 years.
You’ll hear his voice every Saturday from 12-3pm on his show Hits & Memories.
He plays music from the 80s, 90s, 2000s and today. Listeners might have also heard him play the bagpipes on ABC’s countdown program.
Yarra Valley FM has been on the air since 1984 and can be heard in the Yarra Ranges, Cardinia and Murrindindi council areas.
Garry Anderson, 99.3FM Sunbury Radio
Garry Anderson has been a Sunbury local for 16 years and a presenter on Sunbury Radio for over 10 years.
Anderson’s show Sunday Morning Country airs on Sunday 9am and plays contemporary and classic country music while also taking listener calls.
Anderson, before retiring worked with Sunbury Bus for eight years.
Peter Smedly, RPP FM
On Monday from 6am to 9am, Mornington residents will hear the dulcet tones of Peter Smedly on his radio show The Scoop.
Smedly frequently features local and emerging artists and often gives a AFL wrap from the weekend.
The radio superstar also recently was awarded a life membership for his dedication to the station.
RRP FM covers the Mornington Peninsula.
Phil MacDougall or the ‘Prince of Darkness’, PBS FM
Phil MacDougall, or the ‘Prince of Darkness’, has been on air on PBS FM for 40 years.
He has been presenting Sunglasses After Dark for over 30 years, playing hardcore punk, industrial and garage punk, and Australian independent artists.
PBS 106.7FM was founded in 1979 and is based in Collingwood.
It airs more than 80 music programs across various genres.
Did we miss your favourite community radio star? Let us know in the comments!
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