Ozcloggie

It’s been a year and two months, since I last wrote in my journal, here, about a hobby that I thoroughly enjoyed, in the late seventies:
Presenting one-hour radio programs, in the Dutch language, via (SBS) Radio 2EA, in Sydney, a few times (3) monthly.
A week or so ago I was reminded of those days again, when I was shown the old and the new studios, in Ultimo, where my son works as a sound engineer/ technician.
To me, studios have a special atmosphere, that draws me.
Not that I have been in many.
They’ve been…....
o a recording studio, in a converted church, in Balmain.
o The old 2SM studios used by (SBS) Radio 2EA, in the early days.
o The temporary ones the Community Radio 2SSR, in the Sutherland Shire used, when it was waiting to get a licence.
o The community radio station, in Gouda, the Netherlands, where two programs were broadcast to celebrate my visit to the town of my birth.
o A community radio station, in Wollongong and brief peeks into studios up in the top of the UTS building; also in SBS Radio’s Bondi Junction studios and even taking my pupils to the studios of ABC Radio, in Ultimo.

In about 1977, when multiculturism came calling and cranked up (revived) my Dutchness, a lady, called Helen, suggested I might like to go to a meeting of Dutch-Australians who were presenting programs on the new Radio 2EA (Ethnic Australia).
Well. I became involved with teaching Dutch at the new Saturday Schools of Community languages. Was a member of the Dutch Syllabus committees; Was deployed as multicultural education resources co-ordinator, in the Department of Education.
But actually having the opportunity to be on the radio because of these multicultural opportunities, was the most fun!
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Quoting Mr Theo ten Brummelaar: In 1975, the first program of Radio 2EA went to air on the 9th June. It was in the Greek Language and in 1976, the first pilot program, in the Dutch Language was broadcast in June. As “Radio 2EA – Oranje”. (Radio Orange)
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The Dutch language was about the 7th group on air. The first program in Dutch resulted from pressure by the Federation of Netherlands Societies and was produced by a group of volunteers.
). Programs were broadcast on Sunday morning at 9 am and repeated on Monday morning.
They were prerecorded and for the first programs the studio needed to be hired @ $25) in an old church hall in Balmain. Technical work was supplied by Ross Saunders, who had worked for the ABC religious programs.
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To me that was such an interesting time. Just driving to the studio (church) in Balmain. Waiting for the broadcasters of another language program, to finish recording their program. (I have vague memories of a bottles, standing on the studio floor.)
I particularly remember interrupting the recording and running in and out of the sound-proof part of the studio, to Ross, the technician, to show him the running sheet, because speaking via the intercom about which track or or bit of tape, all in Dutch, needed to be played next was too hard.
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Often finishing very late at night, recording the program which would be listened to at 9 a.m., on Sunday mornings.
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1980 Dutch Language Program (Mondays 1100-1200, Thursdays 1600-1700 and Sundays 900-1000.) 2EA get their own studios above the Alliance Francaise in Clarence Street. The preparation space is in another building next door on the fifth floor.
By then I had been trusted to present programs live to air. Sometimes by myself, but on Sunday mornings together with Belgian-born, Gabriel.
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I particularly remember one Thursday afternoon, doing my preparation in the building next-door and with seconds to spare, rushing into the lift, as some school children, who were involved with the preceding program, came out.
They were giggling.
As I pressed the button to close the door, I realised that they had pressed the buttons for every floor and I had even fewer seconds to get to the microphone, on time.
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Being in a real radio studio (with perhaps the ghosts of former 2SM disc jockeys and broadcasters still around) was good fun, even though, I remember being exhausted after some of the programs, which had taken a lot of preparation and needed to fit in with normal day-time work for the Department of Education.
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For me it ended after a short year, in the studio, in Clarence Street. One of the visitors who came to watch me do the program, was my future wife.
(I have this sneaking suspicion that my hobby made her think of her favourite broadcaster, on Sydney’s ABC Radio 2BL (Now 702). A fellow, called Clive.)
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1981 SBS organises first official selection of personnel for the group. With advertisements in the paper, conditions and requirements and official application forms. Translation and writing test and a committee for the selection which included two representatives from the community.
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I did not get selected. Was married 3 January, 1981. Went for promotion, at school and became a father that year, for the first time.
Perhaps it was best.
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I now wonder how much Dutch-Australians remember or appreciate those early years of those few hours per week, which were introduced, every time with a professional voice-over (Like my son records, where he works.), saying: The next program is in the Dutch language. ( _{Making the word} Dutch _{sound like it was the most important word, in the universe.} )
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I did contact 2SSR a few months back but didn’t follow it up…........
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You see, for many years I have repeated that: Once I retire, I’ll join an art society and find a community radio station.
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I retired ( a little bit early ) about seven years ago.
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One day!

_{With thanks to Mr Theo ten Brummelaar, for his information on the history of the Dutch Language program.}

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When to hear Dutch programs
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WHEN TO HEAR THEM
Melbourne 93.1fm Sydney 97.7fm Wollongong 1035am
Canberra 105.5fm
Monday Wednesday Saturday 10am & Friday 9pm

National
Wednesday Saturday 10am & Monday 1200 noon

National Frequencies
Adelaide 106.3fm Adelaide Foothills 95.1fm Bathurst 88.9fm
Brisbane 93.3fm Darwin 100.9fm Hobart 105.7fm Newcastle & Hunter Valley 1413am Perth 96.9fm Wagga Wagga (NSW) 103.5fm Young (NSW) 98.7fm