Cairns FM89.1 celebrates four decades riding the airwaves

ON February 8, 1985, Cairns made radio history when it launched its first local High Fidelity Stereo FM station – 4CCR – now Cairns FM89.1, 40 years later the team are still thriving as ‘the voices of the community’ across our airwaves.

Cairns FM 89.1 community radio station will celebrate 40 years of broadcasting this Saturday The station is on air 24 hours a day thanks to more than 100 volunteers from many different nationalities and ethnic groups. (Front row) Nita Simatupang, Perise Foai Hunt and vice president Prapasiri Techo are joined in celebration by their colleagues Peter Ricketts, Mike Friganiotis, president Brian Stevenson, Itin Hadijah, Glenn Best, Dave Chambers, Anna Chito and Alan Searle at the radio station's studios at Cairns Tafe, Manunda. Picture: Brendan Radke

On February 8, 1985, Cairns launched its first local high fidelity stereo FM station – 4CCR.

Now, 40 years later, Cairns FM89.1 remains a voice for the community.

Cairns FM 89.1 president Brian Stevenson said the station had overcome its fair share of challenges.

Cairns FM 89.1 community radio station will celebrate 40 years of broadcasting this Saturday The station is on air 24 hours a day thanks to more than 100 volunteers from many different nationalities and ethnic groups. Alan Searle clebrates the station's 40 year anniversary in the studios at Cairns Tafe, Manunda. Picture: Brendan Radke

“Financial struggles, volunteer shortages, and growing competition from other local and National broadcast stations. But through it all, the station has remained a cornerstone of the community, and continues to broadcast 24/7,” he said.

“In an era where new media platforms are emerging, radio may seem like it’s on the brink of becoming obsolete. But as history has shown, predictions of obsolescence often miss the mark.

“Our motto, ‘Radio for the People, By the People,’ remains as relevant today as it was 40 years ago.”

The journey for the community radio station began in 1980 when 5UV in Adelaide was granted Australia’s first community radio license inspiring a group of passionate young radio enthusiasts in Cairns to follow suit.

They succeeded in securing a license for Cairns FM 89.1 in 1984, operated by Cairns Community Broadcasters.

The team then began gathering equipment – mostly second-hand and borrowed – from the ABC, 4CA, and Telecom before setting up in Raintrees Shopping Centre who only charged them $1 for their first five years.

The transmitter tower was set up across the inlet at the foot of the range then relocated to the summit of Mt Yarrabah, and the station began broadcasting a mix of classical, jazz, and easy listening music.

The station’s longest standing member and presenter, former Fleet Street journalist Tony Hillier, said maintaining the service was not easy.

“Like all community radio stations, 4CCR-FM / FM89.1 has experienced its share of ups and downs over the years and many good people — way too many to mention here — have shed blood, sweat and tears to maintain what is an extremely valuable resource to Cairns and environs,” he said.

“To facilitate full community access and diversity while simultaneously striving for excellence in broadcasting is the station’s avowed aim.”

Cairns FM 89.1 community radio station will celebrate 40 years of broadcasting this Saturday The station is on air 24 hours a day thanks to more than 100 volunteers from many different nationalities and ethnic groups. Brian Stevenson is the president of Cairns FM 89.1. Picture: Brendan Radke

Now broadcasting out of the TAFE campus at Manunda, the station plays a broad range of music with a strong focus on Aussie artists, delivering a variety of talk programs, Indigenous content and featuring broadcasts from Cairns’ diverse ethnic communities.

On February 8, 2025, Cairns FM 89.1 will present a special radio event from 9am until noon with Mr Stevenson and all-rounder Anna Cito serving as co-hosts.

They will play the top 10 songs of 1985 and review the top news stories from Australia and elsewhere.

Current and past presenters will also reminisce about their time at the station

Originally published as Cairns FM89.1 celebrates four decades riding the airwaves