Klaus Mellin - My life story on three continents

SBS listener Klaus Mellin grew up in post-war Germany, struggled with apartheid in South Africa, found happiness in Australia and now calls the world his home.

Klaus Mellin anlässlich seines Besuchs bei SBS Radio am Melbourner Federation Square Source: SBS

On a recent visit to Melbourne, the tireless businessman and hobby journalist sat down with SBS to share his remarkable life story.

Klaus Mellin bei der Aufnahme seiner Lebensgeschichte im Radiostudio, mit seiner Ehefrau (rechts) und Kusine zweiten Grades Source: SBS

Klaus Mellin was born in December 1942 in Stettin, a German town which now lies in Poland. He lives in Kronberg im Taunus and works in the international travel retail business.

Klaus Mellin träumte viele Jahre davon, Australien mit einem Kreuzfahrtschiff zu bereisen - im Januar/Februar 2018 wurde der Traum wahr Source: Mellin

The 75-year-old German also lived and worked once in Namibia, where he presented a radio program for the German settlers and their descendants.

Sonnenuntergang auf der MS Europa: Mit den Jahren gewinnt der Mensch an Erfahrung und findet leichter zu sich selbst. Ist das auch bei Mellin so? Source: Mellin

In 1971, Helmut Schmidt came to Australia. Extraordinarily, Klaus Mellin recorded the event on Super 8. The clip created quite a sensation when SBS was permitted to release it in 2015. See

What are your thoughts on Klaus Mellin, his life in Europe, Africa and Australia, and his amateur video from November 1971? Tell us on Facebook.

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