​Aunty Sue Tate and Jamie Murray crossed paths often in their home town of the Blue Mountains in New South Wales. Both being community minded people with a passion for Aboriginal issues and working with Aboriginal youth (Jamie is a youth worker and Aunty Sue has worked in health for over 38 years), the two friends decided to channel their community work and experience into a radio program – The Deadly Gap.

After a brief stint on Radio Blue Mountains, in early 2016 Aunty Sue and Jamie brought The Deadly Gap to Koori Radio where they’ve been broadcasting ever since, keeping the community up to date on what’s happening in health, education and politics, discussing all the big issues, and speaking with Aboriginal people from across the country about the issues that matter to them. There’s plenty of lively discussion, jokes, and good music too.

What is The Deadly Gap all about and where did the concept come from?

Aunty Sue: The concept came from me wanting to do radio in community after 38 years of nursing. ‘Closing the gap’ basically is what we want to do. We’re deadly and we’re closing the gap. We’re doing it through fun, laughter, transparency, and cultural awareness in community. We wanted to work with mob, the theory is that when Aboriginal people deliver to Aboriginal people the outcomes are far better, health and education, we need to manage our own cultural education for better outcomes.

Jamie: Sharing culture, good music and having fun, speaking to interesting people. We incorporate youth with everything we do. We do a lot of cultural stuff. Aunty Sue’s dream was to make The Deadly Gap into a corporation, which we’ve done. The radio show is one part of the work we do in community. I’m a youth worker and Aunty Sue’s been working in health and in community for many years. We want to be a platform for people to have their say.

What do you enjoy about doing the show?

Aunty Sue: I enjoy being able to have my say as an Aboriginal person, to be able to put it across, so people are aware of what’s going on. It’s making people aware of what is going on with Aboriginal people, not only that but everything, accolades with sport, accolades with what our youth’s doing, what we’re doing as a people, what’s happening politically, we can talk forever on that. I enjoy working with mob, we understand each other.

Jamie: I enjoy the live part of it, how scary that is, I like programing the music and I like having a say as well and keeping it with what people think on the ground. Keeping it real and having a bit of fun. Aunty Sue is good to have a laugh with and I just enjoy doing a creative show.

What are your favorite shows on Koori Radio?

Aunty Sue:  I listen to the Brekky Show and Lola (Blackchat). I’ve always got Koori Radio on.

Jamie: Me too. Marlene (Cummins) is great (Marloo’s Blues), I tune into her show a lot.

Who are you favorite Aboriginal music artists?

Aunty Sue: I think probably Archie Roach, I love Archie and Ruby, and even from the younger generation, Loren Ryan, lots of stuff.

Jamie: I like Dan Sultan. I really like Yothu Yindi and I wish I would have been able to see Yothu Yindi live.  The dessert bands, Buddy Knox, old school stuff. Lots of stuff. Our artists all sound so good these days.

What’s your advice to our young people about having a go at broadcasting?

Aunty Sue: If you can express yourself on Facebook you should be able to express yourself on radio, if that’s what you want to do. If that’s what you want to do, really work on it because you can do it. You can be heard, it can lead to other opportunities, you can get training.

Tune in to The Deadly Gap on Monday's between 12pm - 2pm

She's the co-host of Koori Radio's ever popular Indij Hip Hop Show (Tuesdays 6:00pm), a self confessed Hip Hop fanatic, a binge viewer of good and 'not so good' Television series, and now, the fill in host for your early morning radio on the Brekky Show. Meet the deadly Renee Williamson.

Where are you from and who's your mob?
 
I am a proud Murrie woman who follows her mother’s line back to the nations of the Gulf country of North West Queensland. My father is a Butchulla/ Gubbi Gubbi man. I also have family and cultural ties to the Gamilaroi of North West New South Wales through my step-father’s family. Given the legacy of history, dispossession and removal in this country, I choose to identify as an Indigenous/Murrie woman.
 
I was born in Ipswich, QLD. We moved around A LOT growing up. Mostly around NSW, QLD and ACT. Various spots around Newcastle are where I probably have the most affinity too from growing up because every second move tended to be back to Newcastle. And now, I’ve been in Sydney for over 10 years.

How did you get into radio?
 
Since I was young I’ve always known people involved with radio. I’ve been interviewed on radio a fair bit over the years as well. So I’ve always had an interest in radio, but it took me a while to get my own show. Then last year, along with my co-host Frank, we were asked to take over the Indij Hip Hop Show from the legend MunkiMuk, and I was thrown into the deep end of taking over an established show that already had national and international reach! And now, I’m filling in on The Brekky Show as well!

How long have you been broadcasting for Koori Radio?
 
We took over the Indij Hip Hop Show in late September 2014, so just over a year now.

What do you enjoy most about working in radio?
 
Getting to showcase music and artists that you are passionate about. I think community radio is such an amazing and important medium for those views, voices and music that aren’t always heard through mainstream media outlets. I like being a part of bringing those things to people’s ears. I’ve also been a part of some really fun interviews. I spend a lot of time on air laughing and having fun. Can’t complain about that!

How are you feeling about taking over the Brekky Show for a few months? What are you looking forward to?

The thing I’m most looking forward to is being able to play lots and lots of great Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander music across all genres. Although Hip Hop has my heart, I’m really passionate about sharing the great Indigenous music that we have here, and mixing it in with black music from around the world. I’m not going to lie, I’m also looking forward to flexing my repertoire on Old School Wednesday’s as well!

Outside of broadcasting, what are some of your interests?

In short – Hip Hop! I live, breathe, and sleep Hip Hop. It’s one of the great loves of my life. And music in general. Other than that, spending time with my family and amazing friends. I’ve been through a bit of a rough time over the last few years, and as a result of that I’m a strong advocate of mental health, self care, health, and healthy body image. Especially for our mob. I’m also interested in stuff like social justice, cultural and intellectual property, cultural safety and strength. And TV shows! My downtime that doesn’t involve music involves binge watching great not so great TV series.

Who are your favourite artists? And who is your favourite Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander artist?

I’m not going to name a favourite artist because it could get me into trouble… But really, I’ve got a lotta love for our great Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists. So much great talent, and the stories! Amazing stories!

What was the first album you bought?

I can’t remember the first as I always had records and cassettes growing up (showing my age!) but I can distinctly remember the first CD's that I bought with my own money, and that was C&C Music Factory and Snap.
 
First gig you went to?

The first gig that I went to that didn’t involve my fam was New Kids On The Block.

Last gig you went to?

The AMAZING A Tribe Called Red at Homeground! I’ve been a fan of theirs for ages so it was great to finally see them live. It was an amazing gig! Up there in top 10 gigs for me. Amazing performance, great venue, great vibe, I’m looking forward to seeing them again in a week’s time. Yes, they are THAT good!

In between her busy schedule working as the arts development and events coordinator at Gadigal and running the popular Redfern Night Markets, Danielle Tuwai also hosts her own program (Artbeat) every Thursday between 2-3pm on Koori Radio. Thanks to her mum, herself a former broadcaster at Koori Radio among other community stations,  Danielle grew up in and around radio studios and hosted her first Koori Radio program in 1993.

“Coming back to radio as an adult,  it’s been really easy to re-embrace, I feel like radio and media is in my blood,” says Danielle.

Tune in to Artbeat each week to get the latest community arts and events news, and listen to a diverse selection of First Nations tunes from home and abroad.

Where were you born/where did you grow up?

Danielle: I was born at Green Lane Hospital in Auckland, Aotearoa, and moved to Sydney with my mum when I was six. I grew up in Waterloo, Sydney.  My ancestry is Maori (Ngati Porou and Nga Puhi) and Fijian/Tongan (Dalaconi and Haiapai Island).
  
Who is someone that has inspired you?

Danielle: My mother.
 
What kind of music/artists did you enjoy listening to growing up?

Danielle: I grew up listening to a lot of soul, reggae and funk music. We always had a wicked collection of music like Michael Jackson, George Benson, Bob Marley, Roberta Flack, Grace Jones, Simply Red, Sade, Bobby Brown, Whitney Houston, Steel Pulse. As a teenager I listened to Boyz II Men, Mary J Blige and Brian McKnight, NWA, KRS-One, Biggie. That was the music of the times.

Who are your favourite music artists today?

Danielle: Any artists who are true to their music. I appreciate almost all styles of music.

Do you have a favourite ABSTI artist?

Danielle: I always love the classics, Warumpi Band, Roger Knox, Mac Silver, Bobby McLeod, all the old school.

Do you have a favourite Maori or Pacific Islander artist?

Danielle: Beau Monga to Ladi6 and old school group Ardijah. There’s just too many to choose from.  

How did you get into singing and performance?

Danielle: When I was seven I was watching Australia’s Young Talent Time and I wanted lessons but I was a shy kid. When I was nine my mum enrolled me at The Redfern Dance Theatre and I learnt dance and gained confidence performing in front of others. I moved from dance to singing and have been lucky to have been involved in the arts ever since. Being able to go to Newtown Performing Arts High School from Year 9 and participating in arts development workshops really helped with my performance development too.
 
What's the highlight of your singing/performance career?

Danielle: Performing at Hip Hopera 95, as well as Yabun for Dukebox and The Renegades of Munk

What was the last concert you went to?

Danielle: The last show I saw was Briggs & Trails and the Bad Apples Crew at Newtown Social. The last concert was Grace Jones in June, unbelievable! 

What was the first concert you went to?

Danielle: I like to think it was Bob Marley and the Wailers concert in Auckland. My mother jumped the fence when she was pregnant with me to see him. Technically though, the first ever concert I went to would have been George Benson which is still pretty cool.  

Best gig you've ever been to?

Danielle: I’d have to say the most memorable show’s I’ve seen have been Angelique Kidjo’s

How did you get into radio?

Danielle: I grew up playing in the hallways of radio stations. My mum volunteered at Radio Redfern, Skid Row, 2SER and worked at Koori Radio, as a single mum she took me with her everywhere! I got my first taste of announcing at 10 years of age. Radio Redfern was more than a radio station, it was a community drop-in centre for the people’s voice, young ones would jump on air and panel with their parents, uncles and aunties. People would just come in from the street to share a story or message. It was a pretty powerful time for Radio in Redfern in the ‘80’s. There was no formal training, you just got stuck into it. These were the times of the reel-to-reel and records which always made for interesting broadcasting. Coming back to radio as an adult it’s been really easy to reembrace, I feel like radio and media is in my blood.

How long have you been broadcasting on Koori Radio?

Danielle: I brought my show ‘The Funky Diva’s’ over from Skidrow when Koori Radio Kicked off in 1993. There was a crew of young ladies from the community broadcasting after school on Thursday’s from 4-6pm. The show lasted until 1998 when I moved to England. It is pretty special to be back broadcasting and working at Koori Radio.
 
What’s your program Artbeat all about?

Danielle: Artbeat is about art, culture and events within our Koori Radio broadcasting footprint. I also highlight the great things that are happening at Koori Radio like Klub Koori events, programs, OB’s (outside broadcasts) and radio shows.

What do you enjoy most about being on radio?

Danielle: Talking with the community and sharing stories. I also really enjoy researching and introducing new songs from other First Nations countries and Aboriginal Australia.
 
What's your favourite album of all time?

Danielle: Master Blaster Jammin – Stevie Wonder.

Outside of broadcasting, what are some of your interests?

Danielle: When I'm not at Gadigal, I'm organising the Redfern Night Markets.  I love showing off our community through the creative arts at a grass roots level. Seeing local individuals and organisations get involved and benefit from the markets presence has been the most rewarding so far. When Im not organising an event I  really enjoy travelling and spending time with family and friends, listing and creating music and checking out live shows and music.  

Tell us something about yourself that not many people know about?

Danielle: There’s something about Karaoke that makes me dread it. I can’t pin point why but it makes my stomach turn.

Do you have favourite saying or motto?

Danielle: My Grandfather Joe’s life mantra – ‘a lot of determination can breakdown any steel fortification’.

Favourite movie?

Danielle: Boyz in the Hood

Favourite food?

Danielle: Seafood

What's something in your life you couldn't do without?

Danielle: Music

Do you have a favourite radio guest or interview you have done on the show?

Danielle: I interviewed Michael Franti earlier this year which was a lot of fun.

“I’m sorry, but I talk a lot,” warns Abhishek Das, or Dj Abhi as he is known to listeners, as he sits down for an interview at his desk set just outside the Terramerragal studio at the Koori Radio office. The desk is strewn with printouts of program schedules and promo scripts, several headphone sets and blinking mixing boards. For large swathes of the day he can seen sitting here, behind a glass door with his face leaning towards two large computer screen monitors, both of them filled with cascading windows of sound editing software and waves of digitised audio tracks.

“I don’t know how to control it,” he goes on, “it happens in interviews a lot, when I get passionate I just keep talking.”    

This passion for talking can lead to some rapid fire conversation. Abhishek's sentences build a near overwhelming momentum at times, then he’ll catch himself,  becoming suddenly silent, smile, and calmly rock his head from side to side in that unmistakable manner of Indian culture. His enthusiasm for talking is natural, and to be expected from a man who has staked a successful and now international career in radio broadcasting. His journey in radio began on the outskirts of India’s bustling city of Calcutta, a long way from where he sits now in the Koori Radio studios in the heartland of Sydney's Aboriginal community in Redfern.

“When I was 11 or 12  years-old,  FM radio was just beginning to boom in India,” recalls Abhishek, and it was after hearing the “tremendous” sound quality of the FM band on a cheap world radio receiver that his “addiction” to radio began in earnest.

“I was just a crazy, mad person for radio. I’d spend my entire days listening to those short wave FM channels, and I realise now that I was totally intoxicated with FM radio, and every time I was listening to radio I was learning cultural lessons, lessons about society, lessons about music, I’d tune in to stations from Ghana, Fiji, Nigeria, America -- that amazing feeling that you are travelling the world with a twist of a finger -- that’s what got me into radio.”

By the time he reached his senior years at high school he was already broadcasting his own pirate frequency, having built several 10 watt transmitters and connected them to a bunch of old antennas on the top floor of his apartment building.

“I’d put my radio in the bike, play a song from cassette into the microphone attached to the transmitter under my bed, and I’d ride around checking the reception to see how far my music was going,” recalls Abhishek.

“I was one of the first FM pirate broadcasters in India, I didn’t even know it was illegal.”

He was also being influenced at the time by the the dance music and DJ remixes he was finding on the airwaves. He taught himself the basics of sound engineering and mixing and began remixing his favorite songs. With these skills and his passion for broadcasting, after high school he began landing jobs at some of India’s major radio stations. At the same time, his career as a DJ began to take off and he soon released a series of popular remix albums. he also began working in TV as a presenter, winning several broadcasting and DJing awards along the way.

After eight years working for commercial stations, in 2008, Abhishek made the leap to community radio, where he helped build Calcutta station, Community Radio JU, from the ground up, working across all facets of the organisation.

Having achieved his goal of managing a radio station, In 2014, Abhishek decided it was time for a new challenge and a new experience, bringing him to Australia, and eventually to the studios of Koori Radio where he now works as both as a production coordinator and broadcaster. While he admits that it’s been a steep learning curve at times, Abhishek says he is relishing the opportunity to work for an Aboriginal broadcaster.

“This Aboriginal world was new to me, it’s been amazing,” he says, his eye growing large and his voice inflecting with enthusiasm.

“At times it’s still difficult for me -- yesterday I learned about NAIDOC week, so gradually I am learning new stuff everyday. There’s also similarities between our cultures, in India there are so many tribes and cultures, that’s why I’m finding it interesting here -- the Australia I used to picture back in India is not the Australia I see now.”

As well as helping to produce all of Koori Radio’s programs, Abishek also hosts two of his own, ‘Bollywood Beats’ (Saturday nights live at 10:00pm) and ‘Bollywood Border Crossings’ (Wednesday nights live 6-8:00pm).

“I noticed that people here love to party on a Friday and and Saturday night, more so than in India,” says Abhishek, explaining the motivation behind ‘Bollywood Beats’, a live DJ set mixing Pakistani, Indian, Bangladeshi and Bollywood tunes.

“What people from the West like about Indian music is that it has a good melody, even if you don’t understand the lyrics -- the tone of it, the sound of it -- there's a catchiness to Indian music, that's the feeling of it,” says Abhishek.

While ‘Bollywood Beats’ is catered towards the weekend party crowd, ‘Bollywood Border Crossings’ has an open format talk-back focus, also playing Hindi language based music and taking requests. The show is already gaining a strong following with callers phoning in from across Sydney’s Hindi language community, or simply those with an interest in Indian culture and music.

“Because Hindi language is spoken in so many countries, through Indian music you can cross borders,” explains Abhishek, discussing his motivations and hopes for the show.

“So I want to keep building this place on air where people who enjoy Indian music, and those who are missing their grassroots, will have a common platform where they can make a community, and be stronger in being together.”

Tune in to DJ Abhi on ‘Bollywood Beats’ Friday nights 10:00pm - 12:00am and on 'Bollywood Border Crossings' Wednesday nights 6:00pm - 8:00pm.