AUSTRALIAN COUNCIL FOR THE DEFENCE OF
GOVERNMENT SCHOOLS
Press Release 1044
RADICAL RADIO
3CR Radiothon, June, 2025
In July 1976, from an old warehouse in High Street Armadale, 3CR hit the airwaves for the first time, heralding 45 years of independent, community owned and controlled radio. At the time, the station was acknowledged as the first community radio station in Australia.
During the 49 years since 1976, the status quo of old media has been seriously challenged – publications and broadcasters have come and gone and the internet has revolutionised the way we communicate. Yet we are left with the highest concentration of media ownership in the world. It is in this context that 3CR continues to broadcast radical, insightful radio 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Through all of the many controversies — the overt and covert attempts to destroy the station, the funding crises — 3CR has prevailed. Its creation wasn’t easy. It was something we had to fight for and must continue to fight for as long as it’s necessary.
A key reason for the station’s resilience and success has been our financial independence, alongside our place as a source of news and culture that is genuinely owned and operated by the community. For this reason we ask all of our listeners and supporters to donate at this time of year to keep us going for another 50 years.
In addition to weekly programs like the DOGS the station produces a broad range of special programming throughout the year including live prison broadcasts from inside Victoria’s prison system, Aboriginal programs during NAIDOC week, Women’s International Day, and dedicated programming on the International Day of People With Disabilities.
With a program guide for the whole community, the station is proud to still broadcast programs today that began in 1976. The DOGS, for example, have been here since 1987 when Bill Hartley, famous for his PAR AVION, gave us his first half hour at 7am on Saturday mornings. Then we graduated to 12 noon Saturdays and have been here ever since, every Saturday, without fail.
Support Radical Radio – donate to 3CR!
Make a tax-deductible donation online at www.3cr.org.au/support,
or by calling 3CR on (03) 9419 8377, or send a cheque or money order payable to ‘Community Radio Federation Ltd’ PO Box 1277 Collingwood 3066.
LISTEN TO THE DOGS PROGRAM
855 ON THE AM DIAL: 12.00 NOON SATURDAYS http://www.3cr.org.au/dogs
