Turning a page in radio history

FORTY years of Central Victorian community radio has been immortalised in a new book soon to be released by publishing duo Ian Braybrook and Marilyn Bennet.

The historical book Radio Waves is a celebration of the first time the transmitter was fired up in Harcourt, when 3CCC broadcast for the first time on Anzac Day, 1982.

“A lot of the people who were involved in the early days of community radio have passed on and I thought maybe we better get these stories together why the people are still around,” Braybrook said.

“It’s been a hell of a job to be honest. I’ve had to interview, most people by telephone, maybe 50 to 60 people.”

Braybrook, who helped launch 3CCC, said the book follows the growth of community radio, from when the original broadcaster relocated to Bendigo in 1993, to the licensing changes and emergence of Fresh FM, KLFM and Phoenix FM.

“It was something very new at the time, in 1978 most people in regional areas hadn’t heard of FM radio or community radio,” Braybrook said.

“To overcome that right at the start wasn’t easy. We started from scratch, we started broadcasting and we had to educate people about this new phenomenon.

“It was a pretty exciting time and looking back on it I was pretty lucky to be involved in it.”

Braybrook and Bennet will host a birthday party of sorts at the Harcourt Bowling Club from 12.30pm on Anzac Day with past and present volunteers and listeners from all stations invited to attend.

“Community radio gives the opportunity for ordinary people from any walk of life to go on air and do their thing, express their views and opinions, play their sort of music,” Braybrook said.

“Anyone in the community can become involved in their local community radio station.”