15 years broadcasting local sport: Kevin 'Curro' Curran

Author: Gay Green | Source: Great Southern FM | Date: 18-08-09

TOOT YOUR OWN HORN 2009

1994 was the birth year of Great Southern FM 99.9 (now dubbed 90.1 Happy FM), then Temporary Broadcaster for 90 days a year.

The seaside township of Victor Harbor, South Australia is passionate about its sport, especially local footy, the ‘glue’ of any community.

Founder of the station, Ken Burgess recognised the need for the community to have their own ‘Sporting Community Radio Station’. So when Ken met Kevin Curran, the two men got talking. Ken immediately saw Kevin’s talent and his knowledge of local footy and all types of sport. From there came the birth of Weekend Sports on Saturday and Sunday on what was then known as The Happy Community Wireless. And Kevin Curran, or ‘Curro’ as he is affectionately known to his mates, has continued to broadcast local sport for the last 15 years.

Many funny stories can be told of the early days of trying to get local Saturday footy to air. One such story comes to mind of a very windy day on top of Kirby Hill. In the gale Ken stood heroically on top of a caravan holding the roof down while Kevin, not letting the side down kept broadcasting no matter what was thrown at him.

90.1 Happy FM, now a Permanent License station, broadcasts three weekly Sports programs. Curro has been the Secretary of the Great Southern Footy League for as many years as he has been broadcasting. He covers all types of sports on 90.1 FM – equestrian, netball, lawn bowls, croquet and even pigeon racing. He interviews local people, encouraging them in their chosen sporting activities, giving them accolades for their achievements and sometimes even ‘dishing it out’ when perhaps the interviewee hadn’t done as well as they could.

The 90.1 Happy FM Sporting team has grown over the years, with Curro partnering up with Nifty Miller to do the live footy broadcasts from the outside broadcast van. They have travelled to many local towns such as Willunga, Langhorne Creek and Mt Compass with a group of volunteers all helping to get the broadcasts happening. The Happy FM team work together, successfully encouraging all sporting activities with solid, consistent foundations being laid down by Kevin Curran.

Every Saturday morning Curro presents the Saturday Sports Program and come Saturday afternoon in the footy season, he can be heard giving a great call of the live broadcast.

Station founder, Ken Burgess said he could not have asked for a more professional, community minded person than Curro to “lead the way” on the only community station broadcasting all sports to the Fleurieu Peninsula for the past 15 years.


  • DOWNLOAD newspapers clippings about Kevin Curran here (PDF)