612 ABC Brisbane
Encyclopedia
612 ABC Brisbane is an ABC Local Radio
station
in Brisbane
, Queensland
. It is one of the largest stations in the network, serving as a base for Queensland
programming - many programs are broadcast across the ABC Local Radio network in regional and rural areas of Queensland when those stations are not carrying local programming.
The 2011 on-air team includes former member of the anarchic 1980s/90s comedy trio Doug Anthony All Stars
Richard Fidler
, former professional footballer Warren Boland
, Steve Austin
, Kelly Higgins-Devine, Terri Begley and Spencer Howson
. Past presenters have included Madonna King, Peter Dick, Rod Henshaw, Andrew Carroll and Susan Mitchell.
commenced its own broadcasting operations with the callsign 4QG - 4 denoted the state of Queensland
; QG stood for Queensland Government. 4QG became a part of the ABC's radio network at its inception in 1932.
The ABC started a second Brisbane station on January 7, 1938 using the callsign 4QR - the new station carried national programming while 4QG aired mainly local content. 4QG is now part of the ABC's Radio National
network - as such it now has the callsign 4RN, in common with all other Radio National services in Queensland.
Until December 2006, 612 ABC Brisbane's studios were located on Coronation Drive in the Brisbane inner-city suburb of Toowong
(a location severely damaged by water in the 1974 Brisbane floods).
A number of breast cancer
cases at the ABC's Toowong studios led to the permanent evacuation of the entire site in December, 2006. 350 staff, from ABC television
, radio
and online
, were relocated. The station broadcast from the ABC's Gold Coast
studios during the relocation period.
In September 2006, 612 ABC Brisbane was "host radio broadcaster" for naturalist Steve Irwin
's memorial service at Australia Zoo
, Beerwah
. Breakfast announcers Spencer Howson
(from 612 ABC Brisbane) and John Stokes (from the ABC's Sunshine Coast
station Coast FM
) were chosen to host the broadcast, made available to radio stations around the world.
After 9:00am talkback callers are encouraged to contribute to the day's debate.
However, The Morning Show has proved almost as controversial as the stories normally covered on the local current affairs show. Several people have presented the show over the years with their departure often making headlines.
Recent presenters have been Madonna King (2006 - 11), Steve Austin
(2004-5), Kirsten Macgregor (2003), Susan Mitchell (2002), Andrew Carroll (2000-1), Cathy Border (2000), John Barton, Carolyn Tucker (1999), Anna Reynolds and Rod Henshaw.
The current presenter Terri Begley has presented the program since October 2011. Begley has been at the ABC for a number of years previously she has been a presenter, reporter and producer for ABC NewsRadio
.
In 2002, the ABC was forced to apologise to Andrew Carroll
and admit he was unfairly sacked (See Media Release). Carroll was taken off-air after commenting, during an interview with Queensland
Premier Peter Beattie
, that he would have to "reconsider the terms of his contract" (or similar). Carroll's story was featured on the ABC
's own media watchdog program Media Watch.
In October 2011, King announced that she would be leaving the station to spend more time with her children. Terri Begley replaced her from Monday 24 October 2011.
ABC Local Radio
ABC Local Radio is a network of publicly owned radio stations in Australia, operated by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.ABC Local Radio stations broadcast across the continent using terrestrial transmitters and satellites...
station
Radio station
Radio broadcasting is a one-way wireless transmission over radio waves intended to reach a wide audience. Stations can be linked in radio networks to broadcast a common radio format, either in broadcast syndication or simulcast or both...
in Brisbane
Brisbane
Brisbane is the capital and most populous city in the Australian state of Queensland and the third most populous city in Australia. Brisbane's metropolitan area has a population of over 2 million, and the South East Queensland urban conurbation, centred around Brisbane, encompasses a population of...
, Queensland
Queensland
Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...
. It is one of the largest stations in the network, serving as a base for Queensland
Queensland
Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...
programming - many programs are broadcast across the ABC Local Radio network in regional and rural areas of Queensland when those stations are not carrying local programming.
The 2011 on-air team includes former member of the anarchic 1980s/90s comedy trio Doug Anthony All Stars
Doug Anthony All Stars
The Doug Anthony All Stars were an Australian musical comedy group who performed together between 1984 and 1994. The band was an acoustic trio comprising Paul McDermott and Tim Ferguson on main vocals and Richard Fidler on guitar and backing vocals...
Richard Fidler
Richard Fidler
Richard Fidler is a well-known Australian Republican and Australian ABC TV and radio presenter. He first came to prominence in the 1980s as a member of the Doug Anthony All Stars , an Australian musical comedy group also comprising Tim Ferguson and Paul McDermott...
, former professional footballer Warren Boland
Warren Boland
Warren James Boland , is a former science teacher and professional footballer with the Western Suburbs Magpies & Balmain Tigers. He now presents weekend radio shows called "Weekends with Warren" on ABC Local Radio stations across Queensland, Australia, broadcasting from the studios of 612 ABC...
, Steve Austin
Steve Austin (Australian broadcaster)
Steve Austin is an Australian television broadcaster.Austin currently presents the 7pm-10pm shift on 612 ABC Brisbane and ABC Local Radio across Queensland...
, Kelly Higgins-Devine, Terri Begley and Spencer Howson
Spencer Howson
Spencer Howson is the "Breakfast" radio presenter on 612 ABC Brisbane, an ABC Local Radio station in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia...
. Past presenters have included Madonna King, Peter Dick, Rod Henshaw, Andrew Carroll and Susan Mitchell.
History
Radio broadcasting began in Brisbane in 1925 when the Government of QueenslandGovernment of Queensland
The Government of Queensland is commonly known as the "Queensland Government".The form of the Government of Queensland is prescribed in its Constitution, which dates from 1859, although it has been amended many times since then...
commenced its own broadcasting operations with the callsign 4QG - 4 denoted the state of Queensland
Queensland
Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...
; QG stood for Queensland Government. 4QG became a part of the ABC's radio network at its inception in 1932.
The ABC started a second Brisbane station on January 7, 1938 using the callsign 4QR - the new station carried national programming while 4QG aired mainly local content. 4QG is now part of the ABC's Radio National
Radio National
ABC Radio National is an Australia-wide non-commercial radio network run by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.Radio National broadcasts national programming in areas that include news and current affairs, the arts, social issues, science, drama and comedy...
network - as such it now has the callsign 4RN, in common with all other Radio National services in Queensland.
Until December 2006, 612 ABC Brisbane's studios were located on Coronation Drive in the Brisbane inner-city suburb of Toowong
Toowong, Queensland
Toowong is an inner suburb of Brisbane, Australia which is located 5 km west of the Brisbane CBD. At the centre of Toowong is a commercial precinct including Toowong Village and several office buildings...
(a location severely damaged by water in the 1974 Brisbane floods).
A number of breast cancer
Breast cancer
Breast cancer is cancer originating from breast tissue, most commonly from the inner lining of milk ducts or the lobules that supply the ducts with milk. Cancers originating from ducts are known as ductal carcinomas; those originating from lobules are known as lobular carcinomas...
cases at the ABC's Toowong studios led to the permanent evacuation of the entire site in December, 2006. 350 staff, from ABC television
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
, radio
Radio
Radio is the transmission of signals through free space by modulation of electromagnetic waves with frequencies below those of visible light. Electromagnetic radiation travels by means of oscillating electromagnetic fields that pass through the air and the vacuum of space...
and online
ONLINE
ONLINE is a magazine for information systems first published in 1977. The publisher Online, Inc. was founded the year before. In May 2002, Information Today, Inc. acquired the assets of Online Inc....
, were relocated. The station broadcast from the ABC's Gold Coast
Gold Coast, Queensland
Gold Coast is a coastal city of Australia located in South East Queensland, 94km south of the state capital Brisbane. With a population approximately 540,000 in 2010, it is the second most populous city in the state, the sixth most populous city in the country, and also the most populous...
studios during the relocation period.
In September 2006, 612 ABC Brisbane was "host radio broadcaster" for naturalist Steve Irwin
Steve Irwin
Stephen Robert "Steve" Irwin , nicknamed "The Crocodile Hunter", was an Australian television personality, wildlife expert, and conservationist. Irwin achieved worldwide fame from the television series The Crocodile Hunter, an internationally broadcast wildlife documentary series which he co-hosted...
's memorial service at Australia Zoo
Australia Zoo
Australia Zoo is a zoo located in the Australian state of Queensland on the Sunshine Coast near Beerwah/Glass House Mountains. It is a member of the Zoo and Aquarium Association , and is owned by Terri Irwin, the widow of Steve Irwin, whose wildlife documentary series The Crocodile Hunter made the...
, Beerwah
Beerwah, Queensland
Beerwah is a town on the Sunshine Coast hinterland in Queensland, Australia. It is situated north of Glass House Mountains, approximately 80 km north of Brisbane, and just south of Landsborough. The main road through Beerwah is called Steve Irwin Way. It was formerly known as the Glasshouse...
. Breakfast announcers Spencer Howson
Spencer Howson
Spencer Howson is the "Breakfast" radio presenter on 612 ABC Brisbane, an ABC Local Radio station in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia...
(from 612 ABC Brisbane) and John Stokes (from the ABC's Sunshine Coast
Sunshine Coast, Queensland
The Sunshine Coast is an urban area in South East Queensland, north of the state capital of Brisbane on the Pacific Ocean coastline. Although it does not have a central business district, by population it ranks as the 10th largest metropolis in Australia and the third largest in...
station Coast FM
90.3 ABC Coast FM
90.3 and 95.3 ABC Coast FM is an ABC Local Radio station based in Maroochydore. The station broadcasts to the Sunshine Coast region of Queensland. This includes the towns of Nambour, Caloundra, Noosa and Gympie....
) were chosen to host the broadcast, made available to radio stations around the world.
Programmes
- All programmes are produced for a local or statewide audience unless marked National. All times are in Australian Eastern Standard time (UTC+10). Queensland does not observe daylight saving.
Mondays to Fridays
- 5.00am - 8.00am Breakfast, Spencer HowsonSpencer HowsonSpencer Howson is the "Breakfast" radio presenter on 612 ABC Brisbane, an ABC Local Radio station in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia...
- 7.45am - 8.30am News & AM with Tony EastleyTony Eastley-Journalism career:Eastley began his journalism career in the 1970s with The Examiner newspaper in Launceston, Tasmania before joining the Australian Broadcasting Corporation in 1979.With ABC-TV he spent stints in Singapore and Hong Kong as a foreign correspondent....
- National - 8.30am - 11.00am Mornings, Terri Begley
- 11.00am - 12.00pm The Conversation Hour, Richard FidlerRichard FidlerRichard Fidler is a well-known Australian Republican and Australian ABC TV and radio presenter. He first came to prominence in the 1980s as a member of the Doug Anthony All Stars , an Australian musical comedy group also comprising Tim Ferguson and Paul McDermott...
- Heard across QLD and NSW - 12.00pm - 1.00pm The World Today, Eleanor HallEleanor HallEleanor Hall is an Australian Broadcasting Corporation journalist and presenter of the World Today programme on ABC Local Radio. She has previously worked on American radio and television, and for ABC Television's 7:30 Report and Lateline programmes. She is based in Sydney.-References:*...
- National - 1.00pm - 3.00pm Afternoons, Richard FidlerRichard FidlerRichard Fidler is a well-known Australian Republican and Australian ABC TV and radio presenter. He first came to prominence in the 1980s as a member of the Doug Anthony All Stars , an Australian musical comedy group also comprising Tim Ferguson and Paul McDermott...
- 3.00pm - 6.00pm Drive, Kelly Higgins-Devine
- 6.00pm - 7.00pm PM, Mark ColvinMark ColvinMark Colvin is an Australian journalist and broadcaster. Based in Sydney, he is the presenter of PM since 1997. PM is one of the flagship Australian radio current affairs programs on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation network.-Family:...
- National - 7.00pm - 10.00pm Evenings, Steve AustinSteve Austin (Australian broadcaster)Steve Austin is an Australian television broadcaster.Austin currently presents the 7pm-10pm shift on 612 ABC Brisbane and ABC Local Radio across Queensland...
- Statewide except Fridays - 10.00pm - 2.00am NightlifeNightLifeNightLife with Tony Delroy is a popular late-night talkback show across ABC Local Radio, broadcasting from the 702 ABC Sydney studios in Ultimo, Sydney, Australia. It offers a mix of both news and current affairs, lifestyle and entertainment. Each night there are regular features and presenters...
, Tony DelroyTony DelroyAnthony Eric "Tony" Delroy is an Australian radio presenter and host of Nightlife on ABC Local Radio.After joining the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Delroy worked on-air in Bathurst and Launceston before going to 702 ABC Sydney in 1987 and taking over the Nightlife program...
- National - 2.00am - 5.00am OvernightsOvernights (radio show)Overnights with Trevor Chappell and Rod Quinn is an Australian overnight radio program broadcast on ABC Local Radio from studios in Sydney and Melbourne. The program usually consists of a mix of news and current affairs, lifestyle, arts, education, music, youth and entertainment. Each night there...
, Trevor ChappellTrevor Chappell (radio presenter)Trevor Chappell is an Australian Broadcasting Corporation local radio presenter based in Melbourne. He is currently one of the regular presenters of the Overnights program, nationally from 2.00am to 5.30am on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings...
(Monday - Thursday) and Rod Quinn (Friday - Sunday) - National
Saturdays
- 5.00am - 6.00am Fish Talk, Jason Hagen
- 6.00am - 8.00am Saturday Breakfast, Phil Smith
- 8.00am - 8.30am Saturday AM, Elizabeth Jackson - National
- 8.30am - 9.00am Saturday Breakfast continues
- 9.00am - 12.00pm Weekends, Warren BolandWarren BolandWarren James Boland , is a former science teacher and professional footballer with the Western Suburbs Magpies & Balmain Tigers. He now presents weekend radio shows called "Weekends with Warren" on ABC Local Radio stations across Queensland, Australia, broadcasting from the studios of 612 ABC...
- 12.00pm - 2.00pm Grandstand Active, Simone ThurtellSimone ThurtellSimone Thurtell is a presenter for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's ABC Local Radio's Grandstand program.She formerly shared the hosting of the summer Grandstand program with Peter Walsh and is also the ABC's around-the-ground reporter during international cricket matches played at the SCG...
- National - 2.00pm - 5.00pm Grandstand, Simone ThurtellSimone ThurtellSimone Thurtell is a presenter for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's ABC Local Radio's Grandstand program.She formerly shared the hosting of the summer Grandstand program with Peter Walsh and is also the ABC's around-the-ground reporter during international cricket matches played at the SCG...
- National - 5.00pm - 10.00pm Grandstand Rugby League
- 10.00pm - 2.00am Saturday Night Country, Felicity UrquhartFelicity UrquhartFelicity Ann Urquhart is an Australian country music singer-songwriter, sometimes seen as Felicity . Her single "Big Black Cloud", co-written with Randy Scruggs, reached No. 1 on Country Tracks National Top 30 Singles Chart in 2007. She has won numerous awards including a Centenary Medal...
- National - 2.00am - 5.00am Overnights, Rod Quinn - National
Sundays
- 5.30am - 10.00am Australia All Over, Ian McNamara - National
- 10.00am - 12.00pm Weekends, Warren BolandWarren BolandWarren James Boland , is a former science teacher and professional footballer with the Western Suburbs Magpies & Balmain Tigers. He now presents weekend radio shows called "Weekends with Warren" on ABC Local Radio stations across Queensland, Australia, broadcasting from the studios of 612 ABC...
- 12:00pm - 6.30pm Grandstand Rugby League, David Morrow
- 6.30pm - 9.00pm Sundays, James O'LoghlinJames O'LoghlinJames O'Loghlin is an Australian television and radio presenter. He works for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's Local Radio evening programme in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory.-Career:...
- National - 9.00pm - 9.30pm Sunday Profile, Monica AttardMonica AttardMonica Ann Attard OAM is an award-winning Australian journalist. She is of Maltese descent.-Education:Attard was educated at Bethlehem College in Sydney. She attended Sydney University, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts...
- National - 9.30pm - 10.00pm Speaking Out, Rhianna PatrickRhianna PatrickRhianna Patrick is a Torres Strait Islander former member of the Triple J News Team. She was born in Brisbane and grew up in Weipa before moving to Sydney; her family is of the Zagareb tribe on Mer in the eastern islands of the Torres Strait...
- National - 10.00pm - 2.00am Sunday Nights, John ClearyJohn ClearyJohn Cleary is a former politician in Ontario, Canada. He served as a Liberal member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario from 1987 to 2003.Cleary was educated at St. Lawrence College...
- National - 2.00am - 5.30am Overnights, Rod Quinn - National
The Morning Show
The show currently runs from 8:30am until 11:00am with the first 30 minutes devoted to the main news stories of the day. Prime Ministers, Premiers and other politicians will lobby to be interviewed in this first half hour.After 9:00am talkback callers are encouraged to contribute to the day's debate.
However, The Morning Show has proved almost as controversial as the stories normally covered on the local current affairs show. Several people have presented the show over the years with their departure often making headlines.
Recent presenters have been Madonna King (2006 - 11), Steve Austin
Steve Austin (Australian broadcaster)
Steve Austin is an Australian television broadcaster.Austin currently presents the 7pm-10pm shift on 612 ABC Brisbane and ABC Local Radio across Queensland...
(2004-5), Kirsten Macgregor (2003), Susan Mitchell (2002), Andrew Carroll (2000-1), Cathy Border (2000), John Barton, Carolyn Tucker (1999), Anna Reynolds and Rod Henshaw.
The current presenter Terri Begley has presented the program since October 2011. Begley has been at the ABC for a number of years previously she has been a presenter, reporter and producer for ABC NewsRadio
ABC NewsRadio
ABC NewsRadio is an Australian Broadcasting Corporation radio service devoted to delivering live and 24-hour news updates and information. The service is available on a number of broadcasts right around Australia, including AM/FM radio, some pay-TV platforms and online via the Internet.Originally...
.
In 2002, the ABC was forced to apologise to Andrew Carroll
Andrew Carroll
Andrew Carroll is an American author, editor, activist, and historian. He is best known as the author of the 1999 New York Times best-selling Letters of a Nation: A Collection of Extraordinary American Letters and the 2001 New York Times best-selling book War Letters: Extraordinary Correspondence...
and admit he was unfairly sacked (See Media Release). Carroll was taken off-air after commenting, during an interview with Queensland
Queensland
Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...
Premier Peter Beattie
Peter Beattie
Peter Douglas Beattie , Australian politician, was the 36th Premier of the Australian state of Queensland for nine years and leader of the Australian Labor Party in that state for eleven and a half years...
, that he would have to "reconsider the terms of his contract" (or similar). Carroll's story was featured on the ABC
Australian Broadcasting Corporation
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation, commonly referred to as "the ABC" , is Australia's national public broadcaster...
's own media watchdog program Media Watch.
In October 2011, King announced that she would be leaving the station to spend more time with her children. Terri Begley replaced her from Monday 24 October 2011.