Bundaberg Broadcasters' 4BU station is celebrating 85 years of radio, providing local news and entertainment since 1935.
The station was officially opened on 16 December 1935, as reported by The Bundaberg Daily Times in its 17 December edition.
Titled “Local enterprise makes history” the article details the community’s excitement around the opening which was viewed as “another step in the march of progress”.
“An important chapter has been commenced in the history of the city, and it is interesting to record that the new station has been built by Bundaberg capital and is controlled by Bundaberg citizens,” The Bundaberg Daily Times article said.
“The establishment of the station will fill a long-felt want, and the auspicious opening last night was a good augury for the success of the undertaking.”
Bundaberg Broadcasters general manager Corey Pitt said the station was proud of 4BU’s long history in the region.
“One of the funny things that I have heard was when they were putting up the transmitter … it had fallen down a number of times before the launch date so they were a bit worried it wasn’t going to be on time,” Corey said.
“You look at all these old pictures and you think ‘wow’.
“It was just a very, very different time in the world.”
The celebrations featured cake and memorabilia but most special of all were visits from listeners who wanted to share their memories of growing up with the station.
“It’s when you have moments like that that you realise how important we are,” Corey said.
Current 4BU breakfast presenter Trevor Leutton, who is standing in for Mark Greasley who returns in March, attended the celebrations.
“Trevor has been with 4BU for many, many years,” Corey said.
“He’s part of Bundaberg and has been for a very long time.”
Corey said 4BU had remained relevant to local audiences as a provider of “ultra-local” news and entertainment.
“We take it seriously, our place in the community, as well and we don’t take it for granted,” he said.
“We support the community that we live and breathe in.”
Recent community campaigns that both 4BU and 93.9 HitzFM have supported include the Battle of the Schools and Santa’s Storage Shed.
Tune into 4BU on 1332AM or check them out online.
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Read the full 1935 The Bundaberg Daily Times article:
