IN the late 1970s Willoughby Council began research into establishing a community radio station to serve the North Shore of Sydney, headed by Mr Robin Wood and Willoughby Mayor David Curtin.
By the early 1980s a public meeting was called, and the public were asked to assist, representing many different community groups that were later became involved in broadcasting.
In 1981 a test broadcast was performed for one week from the original studios in Orchard Road in Chatswood. Originally, for this exercise they were called 2NBC FM, but this was not to be as NBC belonged to another organisation. This test broadcast was a success and is now known as Northside Radio.
The Federal Department of Communications (now Australian Broadcasting and Media Authority, ACMA) later licensed Northside Broadcasting Cooperative for the Chatswood sub-metro area, with the Station ID 2 NSB (Northside Radio)
On 21 May 1983 full on-air operations commenced with the opening ceremony being held at the Dougherty Centre, with John Howard, Federal Member for Bennelong, and John Dowd, State member for Lane Cove, both attending.
The aim of 2 NSB FM was to connect the Local Government Areas of Willoughby, Ku-ring-gai, Lane Cove, North Sydney, and Mosman; to exchange ideas and values, encouraging community participation as well as producing and presenting material for the mutual benefit, information, and enjoyment of the community. 2 NSB continued to deliver to these aims over the next 40 years.
The first on-air voice was Bill Gulson who trained 2 NSB presenters for many years. “Community Kaleidoscope” an early program aired at 9.30 daily, was produced by Del Cartwright, a well-known radio and TV personality. And Betty North presented a hospital program at 8.30 every Monday until the 90s.
In early 1985 the station relocated to the present site on Victoria Ave to make way for the Dougherty Apartments. On January 1, 2001 Northside Radio moved their signal from 91.5 FM to the current 99.3 FM.
Many well-known presenters began their careers with Northside Radio 99.3 FM. Including Catriona Rowntree, host of Getaway on Chanel 9, Adam Shirley, broadcasts for ABC in Canberra, Shalailah Medora is the investigative journalist for Triple JJJ’s Hack program interviewing prime ministers and federal politicians.
There are many others who started at Northside Radio including: Kym Middleton, Oliver Peterson, Kylar.
People involved in music who have continued are James Vyver, now at ABC Orchestra, Smokey Dawson (RIP 2003) and Dot Dawson.
Musical performers are welcome to the studio and often perform live.
The current Chairman Gerry Stevens commented lately on how far FM99.3 has come from it’s first roots.
“We are now a fully operational digital radio facility with state-of-the-art equipment enabling the Community of the North Shore of Sydney to hear music and local information via the FM Band and by our streaming service. Our current group of volunteers strive to have the best presented shows to listen to”.
Northside Radio will celebrate 40 years of broadcasting on 20 May at the Concourse in Chatswood 10am- 4pm. There will be performances by Liza Ohlback and her group who bring you incredible blues and soul and her burnt honey voice. Also playing is Rebekka Neville Band featuring Michael Finnegan. Rebekka is an accomplished and highly regarded jazz singer whose repertoire ranges from jazz standards to Latin and contemporary songs. Northside presenter Ray Hood and Annique Azure will play Latin, French and Jazz.
A group choir will welcome the day followed by grooving to nostalgic vinyl records.
All are welcome to see live broadcasting, join in an interview or just groove away to live music.
