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Although Mr Caligari stepped down from this role in 1999 and replaced by David Hoey, his presence within the organisation remained consistent.<\/p>\n
During his 54-year long association including 21 years as general manager, Mr Caligari played an integral role in the growth and development of the station.<\/p>\n
From the opening and closure of the station\u2019s own record store, to a massive radio antenna overhaul and the introduction of Power FM, he witnessed it all.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s been incredible really. I started in 1956 in radio, over those 64 years, my greatest achievement without any question of doubt in 1980 when I started the 3BA Christmas appeal,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat has benefited the community so much, helped so many families.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a great feeling on Christmas morning, you get up and think so many families are having a great day because of your hard work.\u201d<\/p>\n
The former manager took the anniversary as an opportunity to thank Ballarat and its residents for their continued support and encouragement over the years.<\/p>\n
Mr Caligari said he was proud of the work that the station continues to do to this day in keeping residents happy, safe and entertained.<\/p>\n \u201cTogether with the Ballarat community we have stood together through the good times and the bad,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have been there to entertain and inform, we have covered the important events and recognized those who have made a positive and major contribution to Ballarat.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d like to think that we have provided the utmost support wherever and wherever it has been needed.\u201d<\/p>\n In 2007, John Fitzgibbon officially took over the position of manager where he currently remains.<\/p>\n During this time, Mr Fitzgibbon said that Mr Caligari was a consistent source of support and knowledge that made it easy to transition into this role.<\/p>\n \u201cPete not only with the Christmas appeal but on a day to day basis has been there to mentor me,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cEven though he technically retired 20 years ago, that institutional knowledge he offers has been great.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s the benefit of working for a family business, you are allowed those sort of mentoring opportunities.\u201d<\/p>\n Family owned company Grant Broadcasters bought 3BA FM in the mid-1989, which saw them convert the station to FM later that decade.<\/p>\n CEO of Grant Broadcasters Alison Cameron said they are very proud of their ownership of 3BA which currently spans over more than 30 years.<\/p>\n \u201cWe fiercely believe in servicing the local community and that is why we broadcast mainly local programming and we invest heavily in local staff,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n \u201cI am very proud of all the work that everyone at the station does on a day in and day out basis, but it is what we do over and above our daily programming that I most proud of.<\/p>\n \u201cThe 3BA Christmas Appeal is a perfect example of that, launched in the 1980s and every year supports over 4000 Ballarat families.\u201d<\/p>\n To celebrate a 90th birthday is a huge milestone and to spend those years supporting the local community is a worthy achievement of Ballarat\u2019s own radio station.<\/p>\n Ms Cameron said Grant Broadcasters are immensely proud of all of the contributions made by hundreds of 3BA employees over the years.<\/p>\n \u201cTo celebrate 90 years of providing to the local community is a more worthy achievement and we celebrate this milestone with them,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n \u201cIt’s always hard to predict the future for any company, and particularly the media industry, but I believe that the people of Ballarat will continue to listen to 3BA.\u201d<\/p>\n Over the past nine-decades, the station has undergone countless changes and adjustments to suit the times, however, the past six months have proved to be one of the biggest challenges yet.<\/p>\n From the bushfires through to COVID-19, Mr Fitzgibbon said the need to continue running appeals and supplying donations has been extraordinary.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m pleased with not only the way that we responded but the people of Ballarat have continued to embrace who we are and supported us through this time,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\/goldenplains\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/23\/2020\/07\/Antenna-239x300.jpeg\")
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