Commercial Radio Hall of Fame recipient Joh Oost has died in Sydney. He was 96 years old.

Johannes Oost lived in Indonesia when it was a Dutch colony, but left in a boat bound for Australia in 1954, when Indonesia gained independence.

He began his radio career in Holland and commenced in Australian radio as a technician for both 4AY and 4TO after meeting a radio industry contact on the docks when his boat landed. He had been chief wireless operator in Jakarta for the global maritime communications network, Radio Holland, so had experience in radio operations and transmitter technology.

He became Assistant Manager at 4TO, part of the AWA network, in 1969, and was promoted to manager in 1971.

In 1974, Joh became Regional Manager North QLD for AWA stations 4CA and 4TO. In 1982, he became Operations Manager of AWA Broadcasting Division and from 1988-94, was Assistant Manager at 2CH.

He was an active member of the Historical Radio Society, collecting many old radios and sharing parts with other enthusiasts when needed.

Joh was also the industry voice in Canberra on the National Disasters Committee and a member of the FARB Council for 10 years. He was inducted into the Commercial Radio Hall of Fame in 2002.

Friend and colleague Allan Porter, who has written an obituary in the SMH, remembers Joh as “one of those people who in getting a job done was able to share energy and enthusiasm, and do it all with humour. They’re a rare breed, such people, and Joh is one who will be remembered. As memories are the best treasures, we’ve a lot to be thankful for in knowing him.”