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Radio 2WL
The South Coast Station
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COMMANDING THE INDUSTRIAL SOUTH COAST AND
TABLELAND AREA WITH A POPULATION OF 105,000.
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Radio 2WL celebrates its fifteenth anniversary “on the air” in July of this year, 1946. Those fifteen years have
seen the birth and growth of a new metropolis, Port Kembla, to-day the third largest investment centre in N.S.W.
With it has grown 2WL, now at the height of its persuasiveness and prestige. Behind this statement is a story,
for naturally there is a reason for the uninterrupted growth of 2WL.
2WL made its bow to the listening public of Illawarra on July
18th, 1931, and was officially opened by the then President of the Illawarra Chamber of Commerce and Industry,
the late J. P. Caddy. “Great trees from little acorns grow,” it has been said, and the studios might at that time,
have been termed “a little acorn” as they left much to be desired. Yet, from its inception, 2WL found favour with
the South Coast Public. In the first few months, the station began a series of outside broadcasts of major
importance, including the official opening of the Moss Vale-Port Kembla Railway. In those days the announcer
was its owner-controller, and to-day’s general manager, Russell A. Yeldon, who was affectionately known as
“Uncle Bob.”
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Studio and Offices, 2WL.
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By early 1932 the popularity of
the station demanded its expansion,
a better studio and improved equipment.
So came the first step in its
growth, the erection of a new building
providing a studio of over 300ft.
of floor space. Although not one
hundred percent acoustically perfect,
it was a definite improvement,
a step in the right direction, the first
rung of the ladder. The additional
space meant, too, a larger record
library. Regular dance programmes
were inaugurated.
In June 1933, came another step forward - the installation of a completely new audio control panel. This included the
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Russell A. Yeldon,
General Manager and
Director 2WL
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provision of splitting amplifiers, a new mixer, volume measuring equipment and other
improvements. 2WL was steadily progressing and various technical improvements were being added as time went by. Further
expansion came late in 1933 with the beginning of a substantial addition to the building. This addition was completed in
February, 1934, and gave 2WL another studio with twice the office space.
In December of 1936 Wollongong Broadcasting Co. - 2WL became Wollongong Broadcasting Pty. Ltd., a company with an
authorised capital of £20,000. More additions were made to the buildings in 1937, and now it could be claimed with assurance
that the studios were completely sound-treated and acoustically correct.
Since that time 2WL has possessed two very efficient studios. The years 1935-36
and the decade to this year 1946, have seen the same rapid growth of 2WL. The building in which the studios and offices are
now housed stands on the site of the original studio. It is substantially built in brick, and is of two storeys in height, with the
studios and control room on the upper floor.
Since 1935 the transmitting centre of 2WL has been situated at Unanderra, 6 miles from Wollongong, the transmitting station
being linked with the studios by landlines.
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Art deco decoration on this 1930's listener card from 2WL
Wollongong
© Keith Robinson Collection, Radio Heritage Foundation
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Personalities who in the past have made the station a favourite with South Coast listeners include Maurie Power, W. J.
Merchant, Capt. T. Legerwood, J. G. Bridges, Ann Vidor, Bill Roberts, Derek McGuire and George Ivan Smith (now at the B.B.C.).
All these had their own special place in the hearts of listeners.
Among the announcing staff of to-day we find:-
MARGARET BROADFOOT, who handles the “Friendship Club” side of 2WL’s activities. Margaret, as she is
affectionately known, has a club membership of over 4,000, which speaks for her organising ability and popularity. Her
sessions are the “Women’s” 9.15 a.m. to noon, and “Chatterbox Corner” each afternoon. Margaret has been at 2WL for three
years.
Popular GEORGE HILDER’S voice has been known to country listeners for more than 8 years on many country stations
throughout
N.S.W. George has been with 2WL for two and a half years. He presents a regular luncheon programme, 12 to 1.30 which
incorporates the “South Coast Hit Parade.” He is also heard on Monday and Friday evenings.
KEL. McCRISTAL, is responsible for the organisation of the excellent record library of 2WL, for although his job
as Programme Manager has been difficult during the war, it is largely due to his efforts that the excellence of the
musical programmes has been sustained. Kel. is also heard in the evening sessions on Tuesday, Thursday and
Saturday evenings and with George Hilder and Ian Marshall he presents the week-end programmes. His best
known session is, of course, the “Quiet Hour” heard each Sunday from 4.30 p.m.
Mentioning IAN MARSHALL - his is the bright voice heard in the “Afternoon at Home” each day, featuring
such sessions as the “Hollywood Merry-go-Round” and “Around the World With Song” and many other
widely-popular presentations. Ian, who is an A.M.I.R.E., saw service at sea, during the war, as a Radio Officer.
Sporting activities are handled by SYD HAYES in a style that has kept him “top favourite” with Illawarra
listeners for fourteen years. Syd is president of the Illawarra Rugby League, and is heard regularly on Friday and
Saturday evenings.
IAN BURGIS handles the Breakfast and Early Evening sessions and is a product of the theatre. He was a singer
and dancer with E. C. Rolls Overseas Co.’s and J. C. Williamsons’. Recently he was discharged from the A.I.F.
He is well known to Sydney listeners as “Mr. Inquire Within.”
2WL’s Technical Staff comprises A. J. Yeldon, Allan C. Chaplin, L. J. Case, Allan T. Webber, and Max Frew.
Station Executives: General Manager and Director, Russell A. Yeldon, Company Secretary and Assistant
Manager J. A. Byron, Accountant Miss J. M. Martin.
Transmission Hours of 2WL:
Station 2WL gives 106¾ hours service to the public each week.
The hours of operation Monday to Saturday inclusive are 7 a.m. to 10.30 p.m. and Sundays 8 a.m. to 10.15 p.m.
2WL has an aerial power of 500 watts and broadcasts on a wavelength of 210 Metres (1,430 kilocycles).
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"You'll do Well on 2WL" advertising promotion 1952,
© Radio
Heritage Foundation Collection
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Radio 2WL The South Coast Station, Broadcast Year Book and Radio Listeners' Annual of Australia 1946-47.
Editor: C C Faulkner.
© Ray Crawford Collection, Radio Heritage Foundation.
Digital version of text, images and layout © Radio Heritage Foundation 2011.
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This content is made possible thanks
to:
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This content is not made possible by anyone.
I'm embarrassed to be here. I'm waiting for the state radio sponsor
to arrive. He's late. Please just ask me to go away.
I'm cheap. |
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 "Radio 2WL The South Coast Station")
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 "You'll do Well on 2WL")
