4RO
| Company type | Radio station |
|---|---|
| Industry | Broadcasting |
| Founded | 2 July 1932 |
| Headquarters | Rockhampton , Australia |
Area served | Central Queensland |
| Products | AM radio broadcasting |
| Owner | Australian Radio Network (since January 2022) |
4RO operates as an AM broadcaster transmitting to Central Queensland from Rockhampton, Queensland on the frequency 990 kHz.
Early Developments
The introduction of wireless communication in Rockhampton dates back to May 1911 with Royal Navy destroyers HMS Yarra and HMS Parramatta, under the command of Lieutenant G. F. Hyde.
Prior to the First World War, Rockhampton was home to at least three licensed wireless experimenters—L. Freeman (XQB), Robert Henry Berry (XQC), and H. A. Shepherd (XQD)—who utilized longwave spark transmissions without voice capabilities.
Station VIR Rockhampton commenced operations on 24 May 1913 as a component of the Australian Coastal Radio Network, delivering essential longwave communications to maritime vessels between Brisbane and Townsville throughout World War I.
In April 1925, the Queensland Government obtained a B class licence for a Rockhampton relay station linked to 4QG Brisbane, intended to operate at 928.8 kHz with an input power of 500 watts; this station, however, was never realized.
The earliest recorded local broadcasts originated from amateur station 4DO, managed by theatre proprietor Harold Learmonth Hobler starting in late 1924 on 1250 kHz, providing rudimentary programming. Broadcast testing resumed in 1931, possibly aiming to secure a Class B licence under Tivoli Talkies.
Rockhampton’s inaugural permanent broadcast outlet was 4RK, launched on 29 July 1931 as part of the National Broadcasting System. Initially under the Postmaster-General's Department with content from the Australian Broadcasting Company, programming control transitioned to the Australian Broadcasting Commission on 1 July 1932.
Establishment and Growth
On 2 July 1932, Rockhampton welcomed its second radio station with the launch of what would become 4RO, following the establishment of 4RK (now ABC Capricornia). This milestone made Rockhampton the first regional city in Queensland to host two radio stations. Early programming included coverage of horse racing and football events, with the official inauguration conducted by Mayor Thomas Joseph Lee.
By 1953, two-kilowatt transmitters were installed at Pink Lily near Rockhampton. The station's studio located at 110 Victoria Parade was officially opened in August 1970 by Mayor Rex Pilbeam. In 1982, a five-kilowatt transmission facility began operating at Port Alma, situated south of Rockhampton. The Pink Lily transmitter was later reassigned to sister station 4CC for its broadcasts on 1584 AM. By 1979, staff numbers at 4RO had reached twenty-four.
In 1996, ownership of 4RO transferred to Reg Grundy's RG Capital Radio. Following acquisition of an FM licence, RG Capital launched Sea FM in Rockhampton as part of its network spanning Queensland and New South Wales. Sea FM operated from studios housed within the same Victoria Parade building as 4RO, targeting a younger audience segment while 4RO adapted its content for older listeners.
During this period, RG Capital’s competitor DMG Regional Radio introduced a youth-oriented Hot FM station in Central Queensland to capture a younger market distinct from DMG’s AM station, 4CC in Gladstone. Initially, Hot FM’s studio was based in Rockhampton broadcasting a local breakfast show, heightening rivalry between the two FM outlets.
In 2004, RG Capital merged with DMG under Macquarie Regional RadioWorks, consolidating ownership of all four commercial stations within the region. Compliance with regulatory conditions necessitated divestment of both AM stations to Prime Media Group, which also expanded its portfolio by acquiring stations across Cairns, Townsville, and Mackay.
Although ownership diverged, 4RO continued sharing Victoria Parade studios with Sea FM until August 2007. At that point, it relocated to a riverside premises at 220 Quay Street—previously occupied by Hot FM before their relocation to Gladstone in late 2004.
Studios
The initial 4RO studio was situated on the second floor at the intersection of East and Denham Streets within the Rockhampton CBD, transmitting a signal via a 200-watt aerial. In 1955, operations shifted to Rheuben House on East Street, which served as the station's base until 1970. At that time, a custom-built facility was established at the corner of Archer Street and Victoria Parade.
In 2007, 4RO inaugurated contemporary studios at 220 Quay Street, which also housed a sales office for 4CC. This location was officially opened by Rockhampton Mayor Margaret Strelow. More recently, in February 2024, 4RO moved to a newly designed studio located on the first floor of the multi-level building at Fitzroy and East Street. The opening ceremony featured Australian musician Daryl Braithwaite.
Ownership & Control
In August 2013, Grant Broadcasters took ownership of 4RO along with nine other Queensland stations previously held by Prime Media. Following this acquisition, the Rockhampton studio additionally functioned as a sales office for Grant’s KIX Country narrowcast network.
Later, in November 2021, the Australian Radio Network (ARN) purchased Grant Broadcasters’ entire portfolio—including 4RO—in a transaction valued at $307.5 million, finalized in January 2022. This deal broadened ARN’s presence in regional markets and allowed stations like 4RO to utilize ARN’s iHeartRadio digital platform.
Format
Branded as The Talk of Central Queensland, 4RO offers a diverse programming mix centered on talk content aimed predominantly at listeners aged 45 and older.
Shows
The station features both locally produced and nationally syndicated programs. Its local breakfast segment, Breakfast with Dales Whyte, runs weekdays starting at 5:30am. Syndicated shows include Nights with John Stanley from Sydney’s 2GB and Sofie Formica’s afternoon program from Brisbane’s 4BC. Additionally, the regionally broadcast Retro 20/20 Countdown, hosted by Andrew Thain, airs weeknights across various Australian stations.
News
Sunshine Coast-based journalists produce national and local news bulletins aired on weekdays. During networked programming sourced from 4BC and 2GB, the station broadcasts news provided by the Nine News service.
Prior to 1998, 4RO operated its own newsroom in Rockhampton with a dedicated journalist delivering frequent local news updates throughout mornings and early afternoons. In that year, RG Capital closed this newsroom and reassigned the journalist to Gold FM on the Gold Coast; from there, they continued supplying local news for 4RO alongside national bulletins for RG Capital’s network.
Mock Stolen Generations Apology
In April 2000, during its breakfast show hosted by Olivia Scott, 4RO aired a listener-contributed satirical segment titled Australian Apology to the Aborigines. This broadcast led to a complaint lodged with the Australian Broadcasting Authority (ABA), which determined that the station violated the Commercial Radio Codes of Practice by transmitting content likely to incite racial vilification.
Following the inquiry, Scott faced suspension but was later reinstated after issuing a personal apology. The station engaged with the Human Rights & Equal Opportunity Commission, introduced staff training programs, and facilitated dialogue with Indigenous communities in Central Queensland. RG Capital Radio’s managing director Rhys Holleran also issued an on-air apology.
No formal sanctions were applied after these corrective measures took place. James Ashby, Scott’s co-host, later reflected on the episode as one of the most challenging moments in his broadcasting career due to the intense scrutiny directed at Scott.
Dispute Involving Morning Announcer
In 2004, Bruce Diamond, a former newsreader from WIN Television with over two decades of experience in Rockhampton, joined 4RO to present the 10am to midday show CQ Today, capitalizing on his well-established local reputation.
By August 2005, 4RO's management requested that Diamond refrain from discussing topics such as local MP Robert Schwarten, Diamond's advocacy for an oncology unit at Rockhampton Hospital, and claims that breakfast host Jeff Goodwin had accepted a gift from Schwarten—an issue Diamond regarded as unethical.
Diamond declined to stop these discussions and persisted with his commentary. Schwarten stated he was seeking fair treatment after enduring seven months of criticism and accused Diamond of involving his family, which Diamond denied and challenged Schwarten to substantiate.
In January 2006, 4RO terminated the CQ Today program and shortened the breakfast segment to broadcast the nationally syndicated John Laws Morning Show from Sydney. Following intense negotiations with management on 27 January 2006, Diamond was dismissed. He contemplated legal proceedings due to contradictory communications about hosting a new afternoon drive show and reported threats from staff when attempting to retrieve mail addressed to him.
Prominent Former Announcers
Since its establishment in 1932, 4RO has featured a variety of distinguished announcers such as James Ashby, political advisor for Pauline Hanson's One Nation; parenting specialist Dr Justin Coulson; ex-Rockhampton Mayor Jim McRae; award-winning broadcaster Aaron Stevens; notable racecaller Wayne Wilson; as well as former WIN Television presenters Bruce Diamond and Gary Foale.
In 2024, Tom Canfell earned a nomination for best talk presenter at the Australian Commercial Radio Awards. Additionally, Chris Monahan became the youngest full-time daytime metropolitan radio announcer and received the best newcomer award at the Radio Awards.
Audience Ratings
On 29 September 2016, the first Central Queensland radio market ratings since 2001 were released. Among listeners aged 65 and over, 4RO led with a 16.9% audience share. The station's highest-rated slot was from 7pm to midnight, achieving an 8.6% share.