K Rock 95.5
| Company type | Commercial radio station |
|---|---|
| Industry | Broadcasting, Radio |
| Predecessor | 3GL (AM) |
| Founded | 1930 |
| Successor | 3GL (revived 2023 on AM) |
| Headquarters | Geelong , Australia |
Area served | Greater Geelong, Werribee, Western Melbourne, The Golden Plains, Surf Coast |
Key people | Ian 'Strawny' Strachan (first announcer) |
| Products | Radio broadcasting, AFL game coverage |
| Owner | Grant Broadcasters (since mid-1990s) |
| Website | www |
K Rock 95.5 (call sign: 3CAT; branded as K rock 95.5) is a commercial FM radio station operating out of Geelong, Australia. The station's programming primarily features a mainstream Top 40 music selection and includes live broadcasts of Australian Football League games featuring the Geelong Football Club.
Transmitter infrastructure for K Rock is shared with sister station 93.9 Bay FM, along with 94.7 The Pulse and 96.3 Rhema FM, all transmitting from Murradoc Hill on the Bellarine Peninsula. Its licensed coverage area encompasses the Greater Geelong region, extending to Werribee, Western Melbourne, The Golden Plains, and the Surf Coast. Additionally, K Rock offers online streaming through its official website.
Initially operating under the call letters 3GL, the station broadcast on AM frequencies—most notably 1341 AM starting in 1978—before transitioning to 95.5 FM in 1990 and adopting the K-Rock brand. In 2023, the original 3GL call sign was reinstated on 1341 AM as a separate entity from K-Rock.
3GL original run (1930–1990)
Between 1930 and 1990, K Rock functioned as 3GL on the AM band, beginning at 1400 kHz, then moving to 1350 kHz, and eventually settling on 1341 kHz. Although based in Geelong, its broadcast signal extended into much of metropolitan Melbourne.
In 1948, broadcaster Happy Hammond started his career at 3GL as a breakfast show host. Towards the conclusion of its AM period, the station promoted itself with the tagline "3GL on the West Coast," featuring jingles composed by musician Mike Brady.
The studios were located on James Street, Geelong until the station secured rights to convert to FM in 1990 and subsequently relocated. This shift was influenced by competitor BAY FM’s entry into the Geelong market in December 1989, fostering a more competitive regional radio environment.
When switching to FM at 95.5 MHz on 27 January 1990, management intended to use the call sign 3CAT—named in tribute to the Geelong Cats and proposed by football commentator Ted Whitten—but this was never used during broadcasts. Instead, the station launched under the new brand K-Rock to establish a distinct identity within the FM spectrum.
K Rock (1990 - present)
Following a two-week simulcast on both 1341 AM and 95.5 FM, K Rock officially debuted midday during the Australia Day weekend in 1990, with Ian 'Strawny' Strachan serving as its inaugural announcer. It was one of the pioneering commercial FM stations to air AFL matches, alongside stations like 3KKZ (KZFM). The station featured prominent figures such as Ted Whitten, Sam Kekovich, Billy Brownless, and Dwayne Russell. K Rock continues to prioritize coverage of Geelong Football Club games.
Originally under ownership of Hoyts, which operates the Triple M network, K Rock was acquired by Grant Broadcasters during the mid-1990s. Shortly thereafter, it purchased rival Geelong broadcaster 93.9 Bay FM, moving Bay FM’s operations to share studio space with K Rock on Moorabool Street, Geelong. Both stations currently broadcast from this central business district location.
In 2007, K Rock celebrated its 75th anniversary—including its heritage as 3GL—with special events commemorating the Geelong Football Club’s first AFL Premiership victory in over four decades.
By 2010, K Rock adjusted its programming format to appeal more to younger listeners by reducing its emphasis on traditional rock music. Subsequently, it adopted ARN’s Regional music playlist used by several ARN regional stations such as Power FM 103.1.
3GL revival (2023 - present)
In 2023, 3GL made a comeback on its original 1341 AM frequency, adopting a "classic hits" music format. Initial test broadcasts were sporadically conducted in December 2023, featuring authentic station IDs from the 1970s and 1980s, before transitioning to continuous transmissions starting January 1, 2024. The station officially relaunched on April 1, 2024, promoting itself with the tagline "Hits and Memories." It now functions as a standalone entity, distinct from K Rock.
K Rock Football
K Rock provides live coverage of every home game, away match, and finals appearance involving the Geelong Cats, including the majority of finals and the Grand Final held in Melbourne. Additionally, it broadcasts the featured game of the week from the Geelong Football Netball League.
| Commentators | Experts | Boundary |
|---|---|---|
| Tom King | Mark Neeld | Jason Doherty |
| Ben Casanelia | Shaun Higgins | Tim Bolch |
| Jason Doherty | Cameron Mooney | |
| Matt Kershaw | ||
| Tom Lonergan |