21st birthday celebrations this week at 95.3 Coast FM

Tomorrow – August 1^st – will mark a significant milestone in the history of Warrnambool’s Coast FM.

It’s 21 years since Warrnambool first tuned into 95.3 Coast FM, the city’s first commercial FM radio station, which is part of the Ace Radio network.

It was at midday on August 1st 2002 when the ‘on-air’ sign at Coast FM lit up for the very first time and Matthew Monk and Cathy Jubb introduced themselves as ‘Cathy & Monkey,’ the hosts of the station’s first Breakfast show, which went on to win a the ‘Best On Air Team’ ACRA the following year.

General Manager Peter Headen remembers the excitement of the station hitting the airwaves for the first time: “I even organised a plane to fly around Warrnambool with a banner saying ‘95.3 Coast FM on air now.’”

However, not everything ran to plan, as Headen recalls.

“Cathy and Monkey went to air at 12pm, but at 12:01pm there was a glitch and the station was off air for forty minutes.”

Monkey, who is still part of the Ace Radio team – hosting on sister station 3YB FM – fondly recalls the early days of Coast FM: “I remember the day we went live. We played ‘Song 2’ by Blur which only goes for a couple of minutes and we learned quickly you had to be ready with something to say.”

Monkey also enjoyed the many silly on-air games they would play, including ‘The Morning Horn’, which involved listeners guessing a car manufacturer and model from the sound of their horn.

In celebration of this special birthday, Coast FM is pulling out all the stops. Listeners can tune in and reminisce with the ultimate ’02 song playlist, playing throughout their workday.

Additionally, Coast FM is taking its audience on a trip back in time by featuring some familiar voices from the last 21 years, to reflect on the station’s incredible journey.

Coast FM’s contributions extend far beyond the airwaves too. Over the past 21 years, the station has been a stalwart supporter of the community, actively participating in thousands of fundraisers, events, clubs and local projects.

“One of my favourite events would probably have been the Undie 500 at Wunta, where people ran down Liebig Street in their undies. It was just silly and good fun” says Headen.

“Turning 21 is an amazing milestone for us, and I personally feel privileged to be part of it, particularly as a local who has been given the opportunity to work in the radio industry in my own backyard,” says Lachi Rooke, Content Director of Coast FM.

“We are thrilled to celebrate this milestone with our listeners who have been an integral part of our success.”

As Coast FM embarks on the next chapter of its journey, the station remains steadfast in its commitment to be the voice of the Great South Coast, bringing people together through the power of music and entertainment.

Join Coast FM in celebrating 21 years of unforgettable moments on August 1^st by tuning in on 95.3, online at coast.com.au or via the free Coast FM App.

More info here.