"What year did Friends start on TV?"

"1996," I hazard a guess.

"Wrong. Try again from a) 1992, b) 1994 or c) 1998."

This time I correctly guess 1994 and Matt smiles pleased, only to disappointed again when I don't know which other Simpson's character Nancy Cartwright voices beside Bart. (It's Ralph Wiggum by the way.)

Matt is not only a trivia buff - which started when he received a trivia game as a Christmas present - but is also the well-known host of Voice FM's popular and award-winning McCallum Radioactive show.

"People down the street hear my voice and they say to me 'you're the guy from radio'," Matt says.

Matt is joined by Andrew Gear and David Hamilton, who co-host a Top 50 music show and do film reviews, sports guru Neil Farquhar - North Melbourne players once said they had never been interviewed by such an insightful football analyst - and Donald Rogers, the behind-the-scenes man on the panel.

This week The Courier got to sit in on a recording rehearsal for the group, who this year won the City of Ballarat Youth Awards Group Project Category.

There's lots of laughter, chatter and banter among the five very distinctive personalities, who are guided by McCallum Community Connections Club Lowd acting coordinator Narelle Fairweather.

Matt is the outgoing one with an amazingly retentive memory. He asks for my birthday and I'm told he will remember it forever.

Andrew is very shy but warm, David bubbly and sweet, Neil reserved but with an amazing intellect, and Donald chatty, excitable and eager to help.

Every Monday night they host their one hour show from 10pm until 11pm.

Matt presents a music segment with his favourite genre, rock, plus his 90s TV trivia quiz that has gained a rapid following since it began earlier this year.

"We have buzzers and everything," Matt said.

The keen Collingwood fan - Nick Maxwell is his top pick - also does studio interviews, listing 3BA's Paul Taylor, Funky Turtles lead singer Stephen, Larissa Lambert, who made it to home visits on this year's The X Factor, and The Royce Twins amongst his favourites.

"In 2008, I came to look at the show but I wasn't sure so I came back a few days later and settled in," Matt said.

When the group was nominated in the youth awards, Matt said he "kept my fingers crossed".

"My mum was so proud I won."

The keen music aficionado lists Kiss, AC/DC and the Collective Soul as his favourite bands, with the latter's The World I Know his favourite song.

Andrew is by far the shyest of the group, so shocked everyone when he stood up to make an impromptu speech at the youth awards.

"I just felt really honoured to be part of the Voice FM family," Andrew said.

Andrew's favourite artist is another The X-Factor alumni Jai Waetford.

He also talks about World Wrestling Entertainment and once travelled to Melbourne to interview some of his favourites ringside.

Andrew is also a keen Special Olympics participant, taking part in the October national titles in Melbourne in swimming and tenpin bowling.

"I won silver on the first day, fifth on my birthday and first in the relay."

But Andrew said radio had really made him come out of his shell.

"I like the feel of the radio station. It gets me out of my comfort zone."

David describes himself as the "jack-of-all-trades".

"I do the Top 50. I just like to play music," he says.

He is also a Special Olympics veteran, having won medals in ten pin bowling and proud of his top score of 199.

David joined the group in 2011 and says "it makes me so happy".

His favourite artist is Ed Sheeran and his current favourite track - what else - the Brit star's Thinking Out Loud.

Neil tells me he does "sport, weather and Jocks Journal", which are historic birthdays or anniversaries.

But Narelle also tells me there is nothing about AFL or cricket that Neil doesn't know so I ask him Carlton's prospects for next year.

"Fifty-fifty," he says. "You were really struggling last year."

And his team Richmond? "We made our run too late."

He cites Brett Deledio as his favourite player and is still analysing the Tiger's draft picks before making any decision on season 2015.

Donald says he has one of the most important jobs, controlling the panel.

"I make sure the levels are right and make sure the music is right," he says.

Starting in 2010, Donald says he "likes doing radio stuff".

He recalls only one disaster, when the power went out, cutting off the show.

"But then we coped alright," he says.

"I just love being with all the other Voice volunteers and community."

Narelle, who has been with the group for two years after it was initially started in 2008 by Phil Cutts, says it was formed to engage McCallum program participants in the community.

"It's putting people's abilities out there and trying something different," she says.

"I've loved it too, being part of this group as well. Every day is different."

Narelle edits all the recordings - "I'm the edit queen" - and helps arrange the interviews, as well as working in with other disability services.

"Their self-esteem has grown but mainly it's being more in the community of Voice FM. It's been amazing for them.

"This team is passionate and committed to creating awareness for people with disabilities."

She says the team researches the show by attending community concerts, events and functions.

"The Radioactive team's engagement is not only with Voice FM but, more importantly, the broader community."

Voice FM general manager Helen Bath says the boys have taken the station on a "remarkable" journey as well.

"We've gone from a program getting off the ground in 2008 to an award winning program," Helen says.

"It's also been about their involvement with the community as a whole, and the community has been richer for it."