From 1950 to 1980

4BC experiences more firsts and momentous occasions.

In 1951, 4BC celebrated its 21st year of broadcasting and to commemorate the occasion, the transmission schedule was increased to 24 hours. The new service was officially opened on October 15, 1951, by Mr Vince Gair, the acting Premier of Queensland. In announcing the extension of transmission hours, 4BC's newly appointed General manager, L C Hynes said:


'We reflect with pride on the fact that 4BC was the first Commercial Broadcasting Station in Brisbane and I am sure you will agree it is fairly fitting that we should be the first station in Brisbane to provide a continuous broadcasting service'.

The inauguration of 4BC's independent news service was another first in Brisbane broadcasting and this occurred on January 28, 1952.

New Offices
In 1953, the station was granted a power increase to 2,000 watts. Towards the latter part of 1953, the Board of Directors purchased Thurlow's Building on the corner of Wharf and Adelaide Streets, Brisbane for the purpose of constructing new studios and offices for 4BC. The four-storey building was originally erected at the turn of the century by the architect Robin Dods, whose work can be seen in many of Brisbane's older buildings.

Thurlow's Building was renamed CBC House and under the supervision of Chief Engineer Noel Bishop, a new studio and office complex was constructed with a building which formerly was a vinegar factory.

The new studio and offices, occupying 11,000 square feet, were officially opened in August 1954 and became the first station of the Network to be housed in its own building.

Sunrise Sam
Eric Bessemer was the first radio announcer to bring informality and 'live' into Breakfast Broadcasts. Known as 'Sunrise Sam' he became the most popular breakfast personality in Queensland, and the mantle of this popularity settled on the shoulders of Gerry Connolly who conducted the Breakfast Show with equal informality. Shortly after joining the station, he set up 'The Kitchen Band' which regularly performed on air and was part of the entertainment provided in outside broadcasts of 'The 19th Hole' where the 4BC entertainment group visited sporting bodies for evening performances, usually with some benefits to the club's funds.

Blanche Lather was the record librarian and also inaugurated the first children's radio theatre program in Brisbane from 4BC. The 4BC Pals Club had an immense following of South Queensland youngsters. The daily session was first conducted by Aunty Blanche with the membership enrolment running into many thousands.

1958 saw another first for 4BC, with the publishing of a Top Forty Chart in Brisbane, and the station adopted an entirely new concept in programming based on the forty best selling records in the city. The concept was quickly accepted by the public and the station raced on to the top of the audience surveys.

During 1964, the slogan 'Most People Listen to 4BC' was adopted and promoted by a three-man disc jockey team - Geoff, Tony and Bob - from 4.00pm to midnight, once again with great success.

1968 saw the promotion of the station around 'The Big BC'. In 1974, 4BC switched to a new logo 'Funtastic 4BC' and became Brisbane's fun station, sucessfully combining music, news and sport in a lighthearted presentation.

Early in 1976 4BC's power was increased to 5,000 watts and a new transmission station was constructed on the 14 acre Fig Tree Pocket site. 4BC now operates on a directional aerial system and employs two 210 degree loaded masts, each being 350 feet high.

The 4BC offices and studios were again remodelled within 4BC House - after a name change from CBC House.

The station was the first in the Commonwealth Broadcasting Network to install a computer for its accounting and scheduling purposes in June 1978. The technical facilities provided were among the most up-to-date in Brisbane - equipped with a news reading booth with a 10 channel console, two make-up rooms with provision to record or feedback telephone interviews from both areas, a main working area and the news editor's office.

In early 1982 it linked up with the Pacific Satellite Network to receive daily news from Europe and America. The new facility was to prove invaluable a few months later in bringing fast and actual reports on the Falkland Island crisis to 4BC listeners.

In 1978, 4BC became 'You:Me 4BC' and at that time, more often than not, 4BC was Brisbane's top rating station. Also in that year, 4BC along with most stations in Australia, was required to change its broadcasting frequency. 4BC was changed from 1120 to 1116KHz.

To be consistent with its vast line-up of 'firsts', in December 1978, 4BC was the first metropolitan station in Australia to appear before the Australian Broadcasting Tribunal at the Public Hearing for the renewal of its licence.


Source: 4BC