Channel 31 veteran honoured with gala concert

Sputnik Russian Cultural and Television Association will celebrate its 30th anniversary on television, and the life of co-founder Gregory Vaisman, with a free gala concert.

Now the longest running program on Channel 31, Sputnik Russian Cultural and Television Association has produced over 3000 weekly Russian-language Sputnik television programs over the last 30 years and organised 20 concerts, each of which attracted more than 500 people. Sputnik goes to air for 30 minutes, 5.30pm on Mondays and is repeated at 4pm on Fridays.

Anna Vaisman set up Sputnik in 1995 with her late husband Gregory. They arrived in Australia with one of their three children in 1991, part of a large group of Jews who left Ukraine in the dying days of the Soviet Union. After struggling to find work, they decided to set up Sputnik, a Russian language program on Channel 31, with a mission to educate the Russian-speaking community about life in Australia.

“It’s kept us busy – very busy – and we’ve been grateful for the opportunity. If we ever went away, we always pre-recorded the programs. It’s been one way of paying back Australia,” Anna Vaisman said.

“Sputnik”, meaning “fellow-traveller” or “spouse” in Russian was an obvious choice for the program.

The successful launch of the Sputnik satellite in 1957 was a tremendous source of national pride in the USSR as it symbolised the (temporary) victory over the USA in the space race.

Gregory Vaisman died on July 4 last year at the age of 86.

His fascination with cameras started at the age of seven or eight when his uncle gave him a small Kodak camera he’d brought home from the war.

“Gregory was talented on camera and with editing and painting. He had golden hands and a golden heart,” Anna said.

Sputnik and the Vaismans have received several awards for their work including a Government of Victoria Award for Excellence in Multicultural Affairs in 2008 and the 2025 Antenna Award. In 2025, Gregory was inducted into Channel 31’s Hall of Fame.

“We’ve also succeeded in our mission – to celebrate art and culture, something hugely important to our community – and to share that love with the broader Australian community,” Anna said.

“Highlights have been the Olympic torch relay, the Commonwealth Games and filming the Queen as she arrived by tram at Government House. We also managed to film Bill Clinton at an international business forum.”

The upcoming gala concert will feature classical and popular works performed by an outstanding line up of musicians and singers, nearly all from the former Soviet Union; singers Alex Pokryshevsky and Nadezda Cherkasova; pianist Larissa Oberfeld; violinists Paige Wu and Bella Tai; and husband and wife duo Yuriy Mougerman on balalaika and Isabella Mougerman on piano.

Also on the bill are young performers from Inspiration – Melbourne Children’s Talent School and the Sunday Russian School, and the concert will be hosted by singer Lara Khronovska.

The concert is at Glen Eira Town Hall on Sunday, June 14 at 5pm. Bookings: trybooking.com/DKYWI