Celebrating 50 years of community radio in Australia

Celebrations to mark 50 years of community radio in Australia kicked off this month.

On April 20 1974, the first meeting with the Federal Government took place which culminated in the establishment of licensed community radio stations in December of that year.

Australia was the first country to license community radio and now has one of the most well-established and longest running community radio networks in the world.

Over the last 50 years, community radio has become a key part of the Australian media landscape, with almost five million listeners and 358 not-for-profit community owned, volunteer-operated stations.

The Minister for Communications Michelle Rowland congratulated community radio on the milestone, saying “Community radio plays such an important role in Australia’s media eco-system.”

“To the staff and volunteers who help make community radio so special, thank you for the work you do each and every day.”

“It’s been a wonderful 50 years of community radio and the sector’s future is only looking brighter.”

Included in the 50 year celebrations will be musicians and entertainers who made their start on community radio and stories of communities that have been saved from crisis by community radio.