Cruise 1323
| Company type | Radio station |
|---|---|
| Industry | Broadcasting, Radio |
| Founded | 1924 |
| Founder | Ernest James Hume |
| Headquarters | Adelaide , Australia |
Area served | Adelaide, South Australia |
| Products | Radio broadcasting, Classic hits music format |
| Parent | Australian Radio Network (ARN) |
| Website | www |
Cruise 1323 (call sign: 5DN) stands as one of Adelaide's most enduring radio broadcasters and holds the distinction of being the first commercial radio station in South Australia.
History
Originally established as an experimental broadcaster around 1500 kHz in 1924, Radio 5DN officially commenced operations on 24 February 1925. The station was created by entrepreneur Ernest James Hume, who procured the necessary equipment and inherited the initial call sign "5Don N" from radio innovator Lance C. Jones. The transmitter and studios were situated at the Hume family residence in Parkside, with dedicated landline connections facilitating live transmissions from the Elder Conservatorium and University of Adelaide.
Ernest’s wife, Stella Hume, played multiple roles including announcer, program coordinator, director, operator, pianist, and producer. Their son, Ernest Jeremy Hume, later assumed responsibilities as technical operator. Starting with limited broadcasts three times a week for a few hours, 5DN expanded to continuous daily programming by 1928, reaching listeners beyond Australian borders.
As a founding member of the Macquarie Broadcasting Network, 5DN showcased prominent Australian entertainers such as Jack Davey and Roy Rene ("Mo"). Throughout the 1940s and 1950s, local figures including Mel Cameron—who hosted the Breakfast show for over three decades—Vic Braham, Ron Sullivan, and Barry Hall contributed to the station’s strong presence. Signature programs like "Under the Stars," penned by chief writer Merv Hill for twenty years, and "Radio Canteen," which ran for thirteen years featuring leading South Australian artists, were audience favorites.
In 1938, 5DN pioneered South Australia’s first independent radio news service and provided extensive news coverage during wartime and afterward, supported by Macquarie National News—the nation’s largest radio news network. The station introduced “ball by ball” cricket commentary in 1930 and covered motor racing events at the Lobethal Circuit before broadening its sports broadcasting to include football and horse racing.
The year 1969 marked the debut of Adelaide’s inaugural Open Line talkback show on 5DN, initiating a shift toward a News/Talk format that dominated ratings through the 1970s and 1980s. Reverend Neil Adcock launched this format with his daytime program; Jeremy Cordeaux joined in 1976 to host daytime slots while Roger Mac achieved record-setting late-night audiences.
Under General Manager Paul Linkson in the early 1980s, notable broadcasters such as Leigh Hatcher, Vincent Smith, Murray Nicoll, Kevin Crease, Ken Cunningham, David Hookes, and Nan Witcomb were part of the team. The station also relayed Australia Overnight from Sydney’s 2GB.
Following Warwick Fairfax’s divestment of the Macquarie Radio Network and subsequent affiliation changes to 2UE, news operations were overseen by directors including Colin Tyrus and Murray Olds with journalists like Verity Webb and Anne Fulwood contributing. Sports coverage featured Kim Anderson and Jonathan Rivett as key figures.
Currently, the original AM frequency at 972 kHz once used by 5DN is occupied by ABC NewsRadio.
The move to FM
In 1990, Radio 5DN shifted to FM broadcasting as Radio 102 FM, abandoning its previously successful News/Talk/Sport programming in favor of a Classic Hits music format while retaining existing management. Despite this change, Radio 102FM – Sounds Like Adelaide to Me struggled with low audience ratings and transitioned early in 1992 to an adult rock format under the name X102 in an effort to challenge market leader SAFM. However, X102 was unsuccessful both financially and in listener numbers.
When the frequency for 1323 5AD became available, Montclair Investments—headed by former 5DN figure Jeremy Cordeaux alongside ex-5DN Station Manager Sue Fraser—purchased it and submitted a bid for the 102.3 FM license. Starting December 1992, both AM and FM frequencies simulcasted 5AD content, resulting in immediate improvements in ratings and advertising revenue.
Regulatory authorities later required the simulcast to end, creating an available AM license. With the 5AD brand now established on FM, the AM station relaunched as Radio 1323 in July 1993 featuring former 5DN personnel and adopting a talk/Easy Listening format. It subsequently reverted to the 5DN name with a talk focus but failed to reclaim its previous market dominance. Operationally, most staff were employed under 5ADFM management leaving 5DN with reduced resources.
Following this transition to FM broadcasting, FIVEaa and 891 ABC Adelaide became Adelaide’s leading news/talk stations while only a small segment of listeners returned to tune into 5DN on AM.
The SEN Experiment
ARN, the parent company of the stations, acquired the holding entity. Despite attempts to maintain operations, ARN shut down 5DN in December 2004 and leased the AM licence to Melbourne-based broadcaster SEN (Sports and Entertainment Network).
Audience share on 1323 AM plummeted from 6.7% in December 2004 to almost negligible levels by May 2005. SEN encountered financial challenges and subsequently returned the licence to ARN. Following this, ARN took back control and began simulcasting its FM station, which was rebranded as Mix 102.3.
Launch of Cruise
At 6:00 AM on 15 November 2005, the AM frequency separated from the FM broadcast and was relaunched as Cruise 1323, with a focus on easy listening music. The initial Adelaide ratings survey for 2006 positioned Cruise 1323 in 8th place with a 5.2% audience share. By early 2007, it had climbed to 6th place, capturing a 7.8% share and outperforming youth-oriented Triple J and FM rock station Triple M Adelaide. In March 2012, Cruise became part of the Classic Hits Network, joining stations such as Gold 101.7 Sydney, Gold 104.3 Melbourne, and 4KQ Brisbane.
Between 2010 and 2023, Cruise 1323’s lineup featured John Dean (6:00 AM–10:00 AM), Dom Rinaldo (10:00 AM–1:00 PM), Craig Huggins (1:00 PM–3:00 PM), Mark Elliston (3:00 PM–6:00 PM), and JAM Nation with Jonesy and Amanda (6:00 PM–7:00 PM).
In 2022, SEN collaborated with ARN, Cruise’s owner, to syndicate programs such as Sportsday with Malcolm Blight and David Wildy during the Drive timeslot.
In 2023, redundancies led to Dom Rinaldo and Mark Elliston departing, leaving John Dean as the only local host; his show was extended from a 6:00–10:00 AM slot to run from 7:00 AM to noon.
By February 2025, John Dean stepped down from Breakfast/Mornings amid wider changes across the GOLD Network. Kev Mulcahy served as an interim presenter until a permanent replacement was appointed.
In March 2025, Craig Huggins transitioned to afternoons on Perth’s 96FM.
By April 2025, Huggins was announced as the new Breakfast Host for Cruise 1323 after leaving Melbourne’s Gold 104.3 following a tenure of 34 years. Mulcahy had been covering since Dean’s exit.
Current On-Air Schedule
7:00 AM–12:00 PM: Craig Huggins 12:00 PM–1:00 PM: Sizzling 70s 1:00 PM–5:00 PM: Steve 'Bilko' Bilokin 5:00 PM–6:00 PM: JAM Nation with Jonesy and Amanda