LiveWire
Editor
Community radio in Australia began because ordinary people wanted a voice on the airwaves.
In the 1960s and early 1970s, radio was controlled mainly by the government broadcaster, Australian Broadcasting Corporation, and commercial stations. Many communities felt ignored. Young people wanted contemporary music, ethnic communities wanted programs in their own languages, Indigenous Australians wanted culturally relevant broadcasting, and local groups wanted to discuss issues affecting their own communities.
Universities and activists began experimenting with a new kind of broadcasting radio made by the community, for the community. One of the first breakthroughs came in Adelaide with educational station 5UV. Soon after, Sydney’s 2MBS became Australia’s first permanent FM community station in 1974, proving there was an audience for programs outside the commercial mainstream.
The movement quickly spread. Melbourne’s 3CR gave a voice to workers and activists. Brisbane’s 4ZZZ became known for alternative music and outspoken opinions. Multicultural stations emerged, allowing Australians from many backgrounds to hear their own languages and stories on air for the first time.
As more stations appeared, the Australian Government recognised community broadcasting as an important “third sector” alongside commercial and national broadcasting. Laws were introduced to officially license community stations as non-profit organisations run for public benefit rather than profit.
During the 1980s and 1990s, community radio flourished across Australia. Small suburban stations, regional broadcasters, Indigenous services, youth stations, religious broadcasters, fine music stations and radio reading services all became part of everyday Australian life. Most were powered almost entirely by volunteers.
Indigenous broadcasting became especially important. Organisations such as CAAMA used radio to preserve language, culture and community identity, particularly in remote areas where mainstream media often had little local connection.
Over time, community radio became more than entertainment. It became a training ground for broadcasters, a supporter of Australian music, and a trusted source of local information during emergencies such as bushfires and floods. Today, more than 450 community radio stations operate across Australia.
Steven Paull
JP (Qual) President
Station Upgrades
Updates
New carpet has been laid. Plans for an office and auditorium redesign were presented, proposing a new bench area for announcers. Initial feedback included concerns about privacy and staff orientation in the open-plan office.
Roof Repair
Progress has been made on the roof repair, with the Toowoomba City Council CEO scheduled to meet the builder on May 13th or 14th. A contingency plan to keep the station on-air involves routing the signal via an outside broadcast codec through the nearby police station’s internet.
Security System
A $34,000 security grant funded a new system with extensive cameras and a pod entry system. The invoice was questioned for lacking a full scope of work and details on potential monthly fees. A request was made to require two alarms to trigger a response.
Microsoft Licensing
Microsoft licensing is now sorted through the nonprofit program, providing 3 paid packages and 50 free licenses. This enables the creation of station email addresses (e.g., hugh@1027.com.au).
Station’s Cultural Vision
The Executive agreed it is a high priority to define a clear cultural vision to guide the station’s identity, programming, and community engagement. This discussion will happen before the AGM.
Grants
Grant announcements for ethnic and RPH programs are expected in June. A solar power grant opens on July 1, for which an updated quote is needed. A grant to assist Indigenous individuals with disabilities in education is available, which could potentially help upskill young people at the station.
Annual General Meeting (AGM)
The AGM will be held on Tuesday, August 11, with nominations closing on August 10. It was noted that Executive members have a 2-year term limit for a position, followed by a mandatory 12month break.
Tony Wigan
I first met Tony Wigan at his café Cocos while having a cup of coffee with a client. For whatever reason we struck up a conversation and so began a friendship that has endured for over 25 years. With a voice (and a face) made for radio Tony has met some of the most talented and famous entertainers from all over the world and interviewed them for radio. His incredible memory for songs puts any computer to shame.
But the thing that I find most inspiring about Tony is his love for Community Radio and his dedication in ensuring that our community continues to have a voice in a world where everything is either global or national, not local. From regular interviews with the Mayor during his Breakfast Show to promoting the Golden Years of music concerts he is a great and genuine person. My friend. While still in Grade 12, Tony was given the opportunity to present The Goshow on Colour Radio 4LG, Longreach, for an hour every afternoon for a week. I recalls how nervous he was; returning home at the end of the experience seven kilos lighter and having to hold his pants up! (Really?) His mother was very concerned, but it was too late, he had caught the radio bug.
4 years later he returned to Toowoomba. Tony was transferred from Radio4LG, 4VLand 4LM in Western Queensland to host the Breakfast Program on 4WK Toowoomba - a huge score. All these radio stations were on the AM frequency, he
Profile
mentioned this because, in 1979, while working at 4WK something unexpected happened in the city; the first Community FM license in Queensland was granted to radio 4DDB FM. Tony clearly remember when he first listened in and exclaimed, "WOW! What a great stereo sound!"
Tony looks back on those years and smiles at how quickly time has passed.”
“102.7 FM is now over 40 years old and I will do my very best to make sure this radio station continues to thrive into the future. There's still so much to appreciate and to say, and I plan to appreciate and say it for a long time yet.”
I have had the pleasure of knowing and working with Tony for over 25 years. Editor
STEVEN PAULL President
MARCUS OSBORNE Vice President
LEANNE HODSON Secretary
SUSAN MARSHALL Acting Treasurer
TONY WIGAN Station Manager
CATHERINE TREMAYNE Office Administration
ALF SMERDON Committee
JOHN CALLAGHAN Membership
ANDREW CHAPMAN Past President
Leroy Doran Technician
Hugh Fisher Committee
MICKEY FISHER Grants
Latest Training Results
Training
102.7 FM is your community station dedicated to high-quality radio programming for Toowoomba, the Darling Downs and the Lockyer Valley. We've got you covered with the widest music variety on the Downs and programs to inform and engage our community. We love our listeners and our community.
Address: 1 Schofield Street Toowoomba Postal Address: PO Box 400 Toowoomba