Who is Denis Walter?
Denis Walter OAM is an Australian entertainer with wide experience across many areas of entertainment. His career began as a singer, but in his 52-year career, Denis has been reinvented several times with 16 years of television news reading and 40-plus years on Melbourne radio. These days he’s heard on Melbourne’s 3AW but continues to do concert performances, corporate hosting and keynote speaking.
What would you do differently from what you do now?
I’m not sure I’d do anything differently from what I do now but I may approach the various stages of my career differently. Time is a great teacher and if I’d really believed in myself early in my career I may have achieved a lot more.
Who inspires you and why?
People who work in emergency services face horrible things that most of us couldn’t handle for a day. They have always had the greatest respect from me
What would you do to make a difference in the world?
I’d like to have the ability to ease historical tensions which after centuries still cause so much division and pain to so many. For all the posturing about looking after each other and respecting all viewpoints and lifestyles we don’t seem to have come very far at all.
Favourite holiday destination and why?
Favourite regular holiday spots are Noosa and Port Douglas. These two Queensland beauties are so different but so appealing. I also love many parts of Asia and wish I could get there more.
When friends come to town, what attraction would you take them to, and why?
From Geelong I’d always head down the Great Ocean Road and in Melbourne a walk along the Yarra from the city to the Botanic Gardens and maybe back to Southbank for a late lazy lunch. Walking the banks of the Yarra is a feature of beautiful Melbourne.
What are you currently reading?
The Happiest Man On Earth by Eddie Jaku is the greatest book I’ve experienced. Eddie faced the horror of war and imprisonment but always found a positive to cling to. I am always reading books for interviews on 3AW, so the list is varied. You will always find me collecting and reading cook books and at last count I have around 200.
What are you currently listening to?
By chance I found out that James Taylor recorded an album of songs from decades back and it’s incredible. The album is called American Standard and then by chance again, I discovered his Christmas music … wow !!
Happiness is?
Family gatherings and friendships. A great friendship is where you can catch up with someone you haven’t seen for months or years and everything clicks like you saw them yesterday.
What does the future hold for you?
I loathe the concept of retirement but in my industry it’s likely to be determined by someone else rather than me. I see myself broadcasting for a fair while yet, sharing my experiences and knowledge gained through 50-plus years in entertainment. I support more than a dozen community organisations so that will continue.
An audience favourite, Denis will once again be performing at Vision Australia’s iconic Carols by Candlelight on Christmas Eve (24 December) at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Melbourne. For more information, visit: www.carols.visionaustralia.org for details.
Image: Denis Walter (supplied)