ABC Radio is celebrating The Country Hour’s 60th anniversary with a Roadshow competition, that will take the program to seven regional towns.
The winning towns are:
Rainbow, Victoria (May),
Pine Creek, Northern Territory (June),
Oodnadatta, South Australia (July),
Cooktown, Queensland (August),
Hyden, Western Australia (September),
Riana, Tasmania (October),
Cumnock, New South Wales (November).
The competition required towns to nominate three key stories that could be broadcast by The Country Hour in 60 years time, six things to include in a time capsule, an ‘Ode to The Country Hour’ a letter of support from the Mayor, and general community support.
Each town has won:
• a 60th birthday BBQ
• a community skills workshop
• a free concert
• national ABC Radio exposure
• $2500 grant from the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal
The ABC received 116 entries from across Australia.
Director of ABC Radio, Sue Howard, says the entry process required considerable effort and teamwork at a local level and she has been delighted with the response.
“The winning towns all showed terrific community spirit, town pride and a heartfelt appreciation of The Country Hour. As expected, the winning towns are in very different geographic locations and we’re looking forward to sharing their stories with the rest of Australia when the Roadshow rolls into town.”
ABC Radio’s ‘The Country Hour’ is recognised by the Guinness Book of Records as Australia’s longest running radio program. On 3 December 2005, the program turns 60.