THE vocal tones of two Mount Gambier community radio personalities are making waves across the world with their weekly German-inspired music program.
Nestled behind the microphone at the 5GTRFM 100.1 studio, Helmut Schoepf and Willem Moors are the voices of the “Duetsche Kontact German Access”.
Helmut is a proud German immigrant who continues to keep his German connections alive through the music program.
Meanwhile, Willem is a Dutchman with German heritage who has a passion for music and community radio.
The radio duo recently sat down with The Border Watch to explain how a German and Dutchman found their voices being beamed into lounge-rooms across the globe.
A radio announcer at 5GTR for the past 15 years, Helmut said he enjoyed getting behind the microphone and beaming a variety of German music.
Helmut revealed he immigrated to Australia with his family in 1956, aged 16.
The show is now streamlined across the world with people picking up the show in Germany.
“They have told us they listen to the program, including from my own town of Frankfurt.”
He revealed they recently had an avid listener from Berlin stop into the studio in Mount Gambier.
“I love doing the program – I do it alternate weeks with Willem,” Helmut said.
He revealed the duo complemented each other because they both had different taste in music.
Explaining the show continued his connection with his homeland, he said it took some hours to prepare for the music-focused program.
He said the show was not just attracting people with German heritage, but also the wider community.
“I have more than 400 (discs) for the program – we are never short of music and we go back through the decades.”
Helmut also revealed the German government helped pay for the program, which helped to keep the timeslot on air.
Willem – who has been bestowed a life member at 5GTR – echoes a similar love of community radio.
The veteran community radio personality quipped he had been a radio announcer for around 34 years.
He revealed the radio station has had a number of homes, including the Odeon, Caledonian building and now Alexander Street.
Explaining he was a former German teacher in Mount Gambier, he said he was asked to join the show.
“I said I would come in and have a look and I have been here ever since.”
Willem immigrated to Australia in 1957 at the age of 16.
“I came from Holland, but I was born in Indonesia. My dad was born in Germany. I have had people say how does a Dutchman get a German program.”
The presenters have avid listeners across the district, including Naracoorte and Bordertown and boasts a collection of 10,000 songs.
The program is broadcast every Monday night from 7pm to 9pm, followed by an hour broadcast from a German radio show.
The duo encourage people to “keep listening”.
