In the early 70's Donnie became only the third person to begin a radio career "on air" in Sydney - without spending the regulatory three to five years in country radio! During this time with Radio 2UW he also worked as a columnist for one of the original music magazines, Go Set. He spent time as a disc jockey with 4BK in Brisbane, with 2GB and 2UE in Sydney and, in 1982, was guest host on BBC Radio, London. 

In the late 70's Donnie was voted Best Music Show Host on numerous occasions and in 1984 a "Sounds" show recorded on Great Keppel Island earned Don and his Sounds team a bronze at that year's New York Film and Video Awards in the Best Music Show in the World Category. 

During the 1970's and 1980's Donnie also worked as a journalist with regular columns in the Sun Herald, TV Soap and Video Hits 

• Following the record run on Channel 7, his next TV appearances were as Executive Producer and Host of a weekly 24 hours of entertainment on Sky Channel. Donnie also worked as an On Course Presenter at major Cups Carnivals around Australia for Sky Channel sharing the duties with Graham McNiece. He spent 2 years at Sky Channel. 

•  Donnie has worked in radio at 2KY. The radio station with the TAB launched a travelling roadshow concept that attracts full houses where ever it operates. Donnie hosts a special afternoon for the punters of all ages and sexes, giving them competitions and stacks of prizes, adding interest to their visit to a Club TAB, Pub TAB or suburban TAB! These roadshows also feature Donnie broadcasting live throughout his visits and they've proved tremendously successful.
• In December 1997 Donnie released his first book on Australian Horse Racing - "Donnie Sutherland's Horse Racing" which sold extremely well. 

• While Donnie continued to work for radio station 2KY, at the start of 1999 Donnie linked up with the RG Capitol radio network to do a 6 hour once a week syndicated programme. "Donnie's Sounds of the 70's and 80's" doubled its audience after only 6 months and was heard Sunday night on 13 different stations across 4 states of Australia or all that year ! 

• In 1997, Donnie began as an Australia Day Ambassador to Camden, And on Australia day each year he visits different regionel areas in N.S.W in this Capacity.