The WA Experience At-A-Glance
1976 .....
- 6NR (later to become Curtin Radio) began broadcasting
across Perth from studios located on the campus of the Western
Australian Institute of Technology (now Curtin University).
1977 .....
- 6UWA (which shortly afterwards became 6UVS and then
6RTR) commenced Perth-wide transmission from the University of Western
Australia.
1979 .....
6NEW began transmitting on 250 watts to the remote north-western town of Newman.
1986 .....
- The West Australian Public Broadcasting Association
(WAPBA) held its first meeting, chaired by Bill McGinnis. Its purpose
was “to act as a lobbying group on behalf of all state public
broadcasters and affiliated groups”. The Public Broadcasting
Foundation (PBF) provided a start-up grant.
1987 .....
- WAPBA’s Constitution was formally accepted, and Murray Green became the association’s first President.
- 100FM in Fremantle began broadcasting from studios located in an old police station on Canning Highway.
1988 .....
- Ann Tonks became WAPBA’s new President following
Murray Green’s move to ABC radio. (Murray subsequently delivered
a noteworthy speech at WAPBA’s AGM about West Australian public
broadcasting. Click here for a transcript.)
- A test transmission of the Remote Public Radio Service
(RPRS) via satellite over the whole of WA was a landmark in Australian
broadcasting history. Initiated by WAPBA and comprising programs from
Perth stations as well as local content from remote WA communities, the
transmission was hailed as “technically a success” in some
communities and a “brilliant success” in others.
- A funding crisis emerged at 6UVS causing its board,
staff and management to lobby the senate, and WAPBA to “express
concern” to the station’s licensee.
- WA’s first Christian station, Sonshine fm, commenced broadcasting from studios in Morley on 98.5FM.
- Rockingham Community Radio began broadcasting on a low
power signal extending north to City Beach and south to Mandurah after
raising $70,000 in start-up funds from its local business community.
1989-90 .....
- Andrew Brine became WAPBA’s President when Ann
Tonks moved to Radio National. Treasurer Phillip Randall later took
over in an “Acting” capacity following Andrew’s
temporary departure from the community broadcasting sector.
- WAPBA efforts focussed on sourcing funds for WA-based training programs and developing satellite transmission to remote areas.
- The University of Western Australia’s decision to shut down 6UVS was in the news. WAPBA lobbied UWA to reconsider.
- Ethnic station 6EBA-FM began broadcasting from studios in North Perth.
1991 .....
- 6UVS was resurrected as RTR-FM by new licensee Arts Radio Incorporated. Its studios remained on the University of WA campus.
- 990 Information Radio (6RPH) began broadcasting from studios located at the Association for the Blind in Victoria Park.
- Radio Goolarri commenced test broadcasts from purpose-built studios in Broome.
- Andrew Brine returned as WAPBA’s President after
seven months away, and Phillip Randall was once again elected
Secretary/Treasurer. (Phillip retained this position until 1999, when
he moved to Sydney. Andrew continues as WACBA’s President to this
day.)
1992 .....
- Tom Jenkins was appointed WAPBA’s part-time
Publicity Officer to raise the profile of public broadcasting in WA.
(Funded by the Community Broadcasting Foundation, Tom worked for WAPBA
for seven years, playing a significant role in developing the sector,
helping to lobby the ABA on planning issues, and bolstering the morale
of aspirant community broadcasting groups.)
- Frequency problems caused by television stations
occupying the radio FM band in the state’s south-west threatened
to retard the expansion of community broadcasting in Western Australia.
The ABA forecast at least five-year delays in allocation and licensing.
- WAPBA activities intensified to include a sustained
lobbying campaign to clear blocked FM frequencies; awareness campaigns
in south-west areas; investigating technical issues impacting upon the
WA sector’s growth and survival; and holding a conference in
Busselton that attracted more than 60 participants from Bunbury,
Busselton, Yallingup, Nannup, Margaret River, Northcliffe and Perth.
- The Australian Broadcasting Authority (ABA) was
created to replace the Australian Broadcasting Tribunal (ABT) following
the release of the Broadcasting Services Act 1992. The new Act
redefined “public” broadcasting as “community”
broadcasting.
