Sydney’s Original 2UE 954 celebrated its 90th birthday on Australia Day with a live outside broadcast at Queens Square in Sydney’s CBD.
Despite the rain, hundreds of listeners turned out to the event to enjoy sharing stories and listening to memories from the last 90 years.
Radio legend Gary O’Callaghan stole the show as the special guest of the day. Travelling down to Sydney from his home in Port Macquarie with his wife Dorothy, Gary joined John Stanley and Garry Linnell on-air between 8:00am-9:00am which saw the station inundated with calls from listeners keen to chat to Gary.
Across the day, many special guests called in via phone to wish 2UE a happy 90th birthday including: former 2UE presenter Alan Jones, former 2UE presenter Ray Hadley OAM, former 2UE presenter John Laws CBE, former 2UE Program Director John Brennan, former 2UE sports presenter Peter Bosley and former 2UE police reporter Rob Kinny.
After the 10.00am news bulletin, Gary O’Callaghan joined Stuart Bocking to cut the special 90th birthday cake which was enjoyed by the crowd.
The broadcast saw many other contributions across the day including a call from lifetime listener Fred Sargent who also celebrated his 90th birthday, former 2UE presenter Brian Bury, former 2UE breakfast announcer Mike Carlton, former 2UE presenter George Negus and Marcella Zemanek, wife of the late Stan Zemanek.
Much loved 2UE presenter, George Moore, Paul B. Kidd and Tim Webster also came along to meet with listeners and sign autographs.
The special event marked 90 years since Australia Day 1925 when the on-switch was flicked at the country’s first commercial radio station: 2UE.
2UE Content Director Clinton Maynard said: “The response from our listeners proves how important 2UE has been to the lives of Sydneysiders for decades and shows the station remains hugely popular with people seeking news, information and entertainment.”
Since its historic first broadcast on Australia Day 1925, 2UE has marked many other Australian radio industry firsts, including the first hourly news bulletin (1957); the first top 40 station (1958); and the first talk back station (1967).
