By Jamie Salter
Cranbourne’s Casey Radio 97.7FM presenter Susan Klaster is retiring after 31 years producing Keep In Touch With The Dutch.
The show has been running on Sunday evenings since 1990, featuring music and news from the Netherlands.
Originally run by Jan Akkermans, Susan joined the program at the age of 46 and took over as host when he died in 1997.
Susan was born in Leeuwarden, the Netherlands and migrated to Australia with her parents and four siblings at the young age of six.
Her father Theo Overdijk was involved with the Associated Netherlands Societies in Victoria (ANSV) and was well connected to the Dutch community, which helped Susan hold on to her heritage and share it others.
She quickly became legendary within the Dutch community.
“I was always very interested in keeping our Dutch heritage,” she said.
Susan made many connections at Dutch events held by the ANSV, including her Emmen-born husband Berend, who she married in 1964.
“I met a lot of interesting people and raised a lot of money for the ANSV through community dances and meetings,” Susan said.
Susan became a life member of Casey Radio 97.7FM in 2011.
She said a highlight of her time in radio was a church service at St Paul’s Cathedral with the ANSV to celebrate 50 years since the end of the war in Holland.
“In the Netherlands, we have about 12 provinces and each one has their own costume,” Susan said.
“We wore the dress of my husband’s province Drenthe – there were lots of Dutch people there.”
Another standout moment for Susan was when she meet Dutch prime minister Willem Kok as a special guests at the National Gallery of Victoria in 1997.
Throughout the years, Susan has been integral to supporting the Dutch community and fans of the show have a special place in her heart.
“I went to club meetings and worked on the Holland festival every year – there was always work to be done,” Susan said.
“The people I met while promoting the program became long time friends and know them very personally.
“They were all keen listeners and would send in song requests for a special occasion.”
She said what used to be a strong community has slowly diminished as Dutch people who migrated in the 1960’s have died or moved into nursing homes.
“We’ve lost a lot of friends in the community to age,” Susan said.
“There was one listener in particular who was 99 and still listening and dancing, who has now passed.”
Since joining Casey Radio 97.7FM, Susan has presented more than 1,570 programs and has produced more than 3,140 hours of on air content.
Susan’s final show broadcast on December 12 marked the end of an era.
“It’s been a wonderful experience and I’ve met a lot of beautiful people,” she said.
“I never expected in my wildest dreams that I would do a radio program for more than 30 years.”
Casey Radio 97.7FM life member and former vice president Bryce Eishold delivered a letter from the Consulate-General of the Netherlands to Susan to acknowledge her contributions to the station.
“Susan’s program is an institution to Casey radio,” Mr Eishold said.
“I was nine years old when I started at Casey Radio, so I knew Susan as a kid.
“She mentored me a lot and gave me a few tricks of the trade.
“Her legacy is significant, not only to her fellow presenters, but to the Dutch community.”
Casey Radio 97.7FM has 16 different multicultural programs/languages on air.
Mr Eishold said community radio was not only a great training ground, but a way to connect with the community at a local level.
“Casey Radio has a diverse range of languages on air and opens the opportunity for new and aspiring presenters to come through the door.”
Susan now plans to look after her health and travel Australia by caravan with her husband.
