Entertainment
19 February, 2026
New voices on airwaves
NEW shows have been added to Douglas Shire’s own radio station, Douglas FM.
Jim Richards from Cooya Beach and Neville ‘Nifty Nev’ Speakman from Port Douglas have taken on the Friday shift between 11am and 1pm with a show called ‘Feel Good Friday’.
The two ‘jocks’ trade songs and talk about all things classic rock, blues, soul, R&B and pop.
“Being old, we know all about this stuff,” Mr Richards said.
Mr Richards is also on the air Sundays for ‘Timeless Tracks’ between 4pm and 6pm, which is the followed immediately with his show ‘Douglas Chill’ from 6pm to 8pm. Originally from the Gold Coast and now in Far North Queensland, he is also a trainer of Muay Thai fighting.
Mr Speakman also presents a R&B show with some light rock on a Sunday between 11am and 1pm.
Mr Speakman loves to share his musical knowledge having grown up in a musical house with his Dad playing piano and then the organ.
“Like many of that era, my Dad could not read a note of music, so did it all by ear,” Mr Speakman said.
“Jim and I are elder statesman of music and have been listening since the 70s, which we both agree was the best era for music,” he said.
“We like each other’s interactions over songs, as two great minds at work. Jim plays whatever he wants and when it’s my turn, it’s blues and rock.”
Mr Speakman also confirmed his knowledge on music.
“I was a member of the Way Out West Roots Music Club for 20 years in Melbourne. I saw live music at least monthly, so that’s about 240-plus acts that I got to see, so music just grew on me.”
The weekend has also seen new shows added to the Douglas FM Schedule with ‘Matty’ presenting Australia’s very own ‘Hot 30’ on Fridays from 6pm to 9pm and then on Saturdays the ‘Hot 30 After Party’ from 6pm to 8pm. This is followed by the ‘UK Top of the Pops’ from 8 to 9pm.
Douglas FM station manager Bryan Bergman said he was “excited to announce further expansion of the station’s music and show lineup for the Douglas Shire, featuring a combination of new local shows, specialist and topical content and syndicated programming via the Community Radio Network.”
A range of shows have also been added to the nighttime schedule, plus the 2026 season of the Saturday Sports Show returns with Adrian Bannerman ‘Banners’ on February 21 from 7am.
The station has a combination of experienced paid announcers and management, plus volunteers that present or work behind the scenes.
