Andrew Gee (Calare, National Party) Share this | Hansard source

Tomorrow marks United Nations World Radio Day, and I commend the member for Grayndler for bringing this motion to the House. World Radio Day began in 2012, and tomorrow will be the organisation's seventh annual event. The theme for 2018 is Radio and Sports, and it will focus on diversity in sports coverage, gender equality in sports coverage and also peace and development through sports coverage. Across Australia, we are encouraged to unite and celebrate not only the role radio plays within our communities but also the role of sport.

Radio stations entertain us, they inform us and, when natural disasters strike, they also keep our country communities safe. In country Australia, radio stations form part of the very fabric of our country communities. I just love country radio, and tonight I recognise a local radio station in Calare that has become an institution in the Bathurst area. I speak, of course, of Bathurst Broadcasters, which has been locally owned and operated by Ron and Stephanie Camplin since 1969. Bathurst Broadcasters operate 1503 2BS Gold and 99.3 B-Rock FM, and they are iconic stations in Bathurst, Blayney, Oberon and surrounding district. 2BS has a long and distinguished history. It started broadcasting in Bathurst on 1 January 1937. That's an incredible 81 years ago. On 2 December 1996, B-Rock FM hit the airwaves, and it hasn't looked back for 22 wonderful years.

Ron Camplin has been involved in the radio industry for more than 60 years. He is a broadcasting legend. He is the elder statesman of Australian broadcasting, and he's known and respected around Australia. He was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia for his services to commercial broadcasting and the local community in 1995. Ron also received the 12th Radio Achievement Award for pursuing FM licences for regional areas, and in 2002 he was inducted into the Commercial Radio Australia Hall of Fame. Stephanie Camplin is also a broadcasting legend. She received an OAM last year for her services to the community and regional broadcasting. Ron and Stephanie's philanthropy has helped make our region the vibrant regional centre that it is today, and I congratulate both Ron and Stephanie on all they have achieved at the station and for our communities, generally. They are a great team.

Their passion and dedication is evident at Bathurst Broadcasters, because, together, 2BS and B-Rock have won 65 Commercial Radio Australia awards since 1989. They have a hardworking and devoted team, both on air and off. Bathurst Broadcasters are involved in so many community activities, and I would like to make special mention this evening of their general manager, Phil Cole, and also their receptionist and talk program producer Natalie Pilato. Both Phil and Natalie are vital to the running of Bathurst Broadcasters.

At 2BS Gold, special mention goes to the on-air team, including Kerry Peck, also known as Pecky, who hosts the weekday breakfast show—I chat with him every Wednesday morning. I also recognise Sarah Boorer, who hosts Talk of the Town, and the great Christopher Morgan and Dom Ingersole, who host The Hump every Wednesday. Janeen Hosemans and Peter Harrison host the iconic Bangers and Mash show every Friday afternoon—I am also a guest this every fortnight and have cautioned them about playing beach volleyball in the 2BS studio. You will find Harrison Carter on two shows: Homemade Jam and Sunday Acoustic Session. Lastly, I would like to mention Pete Watson, who hosts Saturday Morning Wireless. I recently had the opportunity to co-host the morning show with Pete—

An honourable member: Get a job with him!

I wouldn't mind it, but I think Pete might have an issue with it. Thank you for having me.

B-Rock FM also has a fantastic on-air team, including Sarah Connor, who hosts the Classic Rock Show and is also on Monday to Friday on Deek and Sconner; Daniel King, who hosts the B-Rock Morning Show; Harrison Carter, who hosts B-Rock Saturday Mornings; Darren Webster, who hosts the Rockshop; and Gabi Bolt, who is on air from 9 am to midday, Monday to Friday. The station is also very supportive of Charles Sturt University, in particular the commercial radio students who study there. Students not only undertake a subject at 2BS and B-Rock but also have the opportunity to complete an internship and volunteer at the station. This provides students with an invaluable learning experience.

In 1979, the Buggles released that classic song Video Killed the Radio Star. Radio hasn't faded and the radio stars, including those at Bathurst Broadcasters, continue to shine and make our lives richer. Congratulations to Bathurst Broadcasters and country radio stations just like them. May radio keep going from strength to strength. We thank them, we appreciate them and we acknowledge their service to communities tonight.

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