How Sydney radio station WS FM became a powerhouse

As Sydney’s newly crowned No.1 radio station WS FM celebrates its 46th birthday, Brenden Wood reflects on its colourful journey from a Seven Hills fibro operation to being at the top of the cut-throat entertainment business.

Hans Torv, Kayley Harris, Pete Graham, John Bond in the 2WS studios. Inset: The original Seven Hills radio station building

Sydney’s new number one radio station, WS FM, is celebrating its birthday on Saturday.

Their celebration will be the first at their new North Sydney studios, which is a long way from the station’s humble beginnings broadcasting from a weatherboard house on Leabons Lane at Seven Hills on this day in 1978.

“I remember when it launched at the end of 78, I was in my last few years of school and starting to sniff the world of possibilities — and the energy of a new station starting in my backyard,” WS FM star Amanda Keller said.

The view outside the new WS FM studio is now so good that Brendan “Jonesy” Jones uses a pair of binoculars to keep listeners up to date on happenings across Sydney Harbour.

Keller updates listeners on cruise ship movements with her Shipping News segment.

2WS first began broadcasting on AM frequency 1224 at 12.24am on Thursday, November 23, 1978.

Doug Mulray, (far right) Pete Graham and Sammy Power; and (inset) Kayley Harris and Hans Torv at a 2017 reunion.

The original line up was Murray “Muzza” Inglis on breakfast, Wayne Hunt, Bruce Barnett and Cameron Syrett appeared across the day.

Mark Smith and Bob Hughes were heard at night.

Hughes played the first song on the station, Dragon’s Blacktown Boogie.

When 2WS first began broadcasting, 2SM was at the top of the radio ratings and their management spent big bucks fighting the federal government to keep the new station off the air.

2SM was worried that the new station’s frequency was too close to 1269 AM and it would impact their revenue.

2WS’ first breakfast announcer, Murray “Muzza” Inglis, was a Kiwi.

After leaving Sydney, he became one of the best-known radio personalities in New Zealand. Inglis died in Auckland last year while battling myeloma, a type of blood cancer. He was aged 80.

Also at the radio station when it launched was Jonathan Coleman. He was hired to write commercials for clients.

Jono kicked-on to become a star on Sydney and London radio and TV stations, losing his battle with prostate cancer in 2021, aged 65.

2WS announcer John Bond and (insets) Kayley Harris with co-hosts Brendan Jones and Hans Torv.

2WS in the 1980s was known for Hans Torv and Kayley Harris’ breakfast show, and the cash giveaways to listeners who answered their phones saying, “2WS is my station”.

“It was such a highlight of my career to be part of the long and wonderful history of what is a remarkable story — how a little radio licence in Sydney’s west overcame the stigma of being a westie station to become the all-Sydney powerhouse it is today, evident in the latest survey result,” Harris told The Telegraph.

Kevin Best, Bruce Barnett, Wayne Hunt, Steve Gibbs, Jonathan Coleman and Murray Inglis on the mic in 1979. Picture: Blacktown City Council / 2WS

“The WSFM audience are incredibly loyal, and thousands would come to our open days at the old “pizza hut” building in Leabons Lane, Seven Hills.

“I owe the station and their audience so much for their support of me over the years.”

“I had the absolute privilege of working with some of the greatest names in radio including my long-time on-air partner (the brilliant) Hans Torv and later with Jonesy who, along with Amanda, I have a great deal of respect for.”

The 2WS team in 1993. Picture: Kayley Harris

After Hans Torv hung up his headphones at WS FM, he played a major role in radio station Hot Tomato’s success on the Gold Coast. Torv is now retired and enjoying life in Queensland.

2WS first rated in the top spot in 1984, and this month WS FM regained the top position in the Sydney radio ratings — the first time the station has rated No.1 since converting to the FM band in 1993.

Jonesy & Amanda also achieved their strongest result in 10 years and are Sydney’s No.2 FM breakfast show with 11.3 per cent share.

Ugly Phil’s morning show is now on top, beating Ray Hadley in the latest ratings.

“Well, to be honest, I didn’t really beat him with talent. You’ve heard of Steven Bradbury right?”

Originally published as How Sydney radio station WS FM became a powerhouse