ABC Great Southern
| Company type | Public broadcaster |
|---|---|
| Industry | Radio broadcasting |
| Founded | 1930 |
| Headquarters | Albany , Australia |
Area served | Great Southern, Wheatbelt region |
Number of employees | 12 permanent employees plus casual staff (2021) |
ABC Great Southern operates as an ABC Local Radio outlet located in Albany, serving the Great Southern area along with portions of the Wheatbelt region. Its broadcast reach includes Albany, Denmark, Katanning, and Narrogin.
History
Initially conceived in 1930 under the call sign 6WA amid the Great Depression, this station became the first ABC transmitter established in South West Western Australia and quickly gained local popularity. By 1935, construction was finalized, comprising dedicated rooms for control-amplification, batteries, transmitters, a workshop, and an engine room responsible for powering the transmitter.
The station’s formal inauguration occurred on 7 December 1936, highlighted by live musical performances and a speech transmitted from Canberra. At its inception, a team of five personnel managed daily programming. During World War II, employees were prohibited from joining the military and were equipped with firearms for defense; additionally, an auxiliary studio was set up in Wagin to ensure continuity of emergency broadcasts should Perth be compromised by Japanese forces.
In 1957, transmitter output was enhanced to 50 kilowatts. By 1961, mains electricity replaced diesel generators, decreasing reliance on diesel fuel and reducing staff requirements. To commemorate its 50th year, a reunion broadcast took place at the transmission site.
Efforts made in 1994 to transition to an unmanned operation were halted following unsuccessful discussions with the Shire Council. Eventually, an automated facility was constructed; the original building was demolished in 2002 and transformed into a private home.
In 2003, ABC inaugurated a new studio at 58 Tudhoe Street in Wagin, which included office areas and production rooms while preserving a historic gold safe from its former role as a Commonwealth Bank branch. The studio initially aired a two-hour breakfast show hosted by Shane Foley targeting the Great Southern audience. Over time, additional presenters joined, some residing on-site. Despite this growth, the Wagin studio was placed on standby in 2007 and used infrequently for events such as the Wagin Woolarama. After substantial budget reductions, ABC permanently closed the Wagin facility in 2014 and centralized operations in Albany. The Wagin property was sold in June 2016 for $200,000.
In 2016, renovations updated the exterior of ABC South Coast’s Albany station. Following the closure of the Wagin studio, it rebranded as ABC Great Southern to more accurately reflect its broader regional service area.
Local Programming
ABC Great Southern offers several locally produced shows each week:
- Great Southern Rural Report from 6:15am to 6:30am
- Breakfast program from 6:35am to 8:00am – presented by Paul Cook
- Mornings from 10:00am to 11:00am – hosted by Peter Barr
- Saturday Breakfast from 6:00am to 9:00am – hosted by Angela Bristow-Baohm
The station also creates Regional WA Drive featuring Andrew Collins from its Albany facility. Outside these times, programming is relayed from ABC Perth.
Staff
As reported in 2021, ABC Great Southern’s workforce consists of twelve permanent employees along with multiple casual staff members.