Country Hour reporters join listeners to celebrate 80 years of broadcasting
Rural reporters across Australia celebrated Country Time’s 80th anniversary by devoting a full day to outside broadcasts, switching to News Breakfast and the News Channel throughout the day and finishing with the 7pm news that evening.
It came off the back of a special edition of Landline focusing on the origins and legacy of state-based programs, and the airwaves were filled with memories and well-wishes from dedicated and grateful viewers.
Michael Hayden’s comment, a dedicated listener, sums up the audience’s feelings.
“I’ve been a Country Hour listener since 1971, when I came to live in Port Hedland in WA’s Pilbara region. I still listen here in Kiama. Huge congratulations to the various Country Time presenters across the state. Might I recommend that all of our city-based communities start adding Country Time to their podcasts?“
During the live broadcasts, Country Hours Teams announce the beginning of the show and agricultural information from World War II. He discussed his initial goal of passing it on to the new generation of post-World War II farmers.
Farmers, listeners and local industry representatives participated in the live broadcast of events across the country.
Inside VictoriaWarwick Long broadcasts live from Rupanyup’s Woods Heritage Museum alongside Angus Verley, Justine Longmore and Jane McNaughton as viewers discover how their favorite radio show was put together. TO LISTEN
Victorian Country Time Presenter: Warwick Long with Angus Verley, Justine Longmore and Jane McNaughton live from Rupanyup’s Woods Heritage Museum.
New South Wales Team broadcast from Tamworth Agricultural Institute Training Centre. TO LISTEN
NSW Country Time presenter Michael Condon with former rural reporters Kristy Reading and Jenny Bailey and current rural reporters Amelia Bernasconi and Lara Webster.
Tasmania Country Time Presenter Tony Briscoe was with his guests at the Broadmarsh outside broadcast, about an hour outside Hobart, while reporter Laurissa Smith was at the Ashgrove cheesery and dairy in Elisabeth Town in northern Tasmania. TO LISTEN
Inside South AustraliaThe team heard from Freeling farmer Corbin Schuster about what it was like growing up with Country Hour, as he said:
“You would get in trouble for speaking at church on Sunday, but you would get in even more trouble if you spoke during the weather on Country Time any day of the week.“
TO LISTEN
Northern Territory Country Hour had guests including NT farming legend Ian Baker reflecting on the growth of northern agriculture.
Popular Alice Springs historian Alex Nelson explains that Darwin’s docks were built during World War II. He described the role he played in the cattle industry in the years after World War II.
Romy Carey from the NT Cattlemen’s Association spoke about the future of the industry supporting northern agriculture. TO LISTEN
The Queensland Country Hour team delved into the show’s history, broadcasting live from Queensland Museum Cobb+Co in Toowoomba. TO LISTEN
WA Country Time He left his mark on the day with a special program. TO LISTEN
