After 65 years involvement in commercial radio, including an association with 3BA spanning 55 years, well known Ballarat identity and radio veteran Peter Caligari has announced that the time has arrived to “switch off.”
Peter commenced his radio career with 3CV in Maryborough in October 1956, just weeks prior to the Olympic Games being held in Melbourne at a time when radio was vastly different to that of today.
In March 1966 he and his wife Ola moved to Ballarat where he commenced his long association with 3BA as the station’s Sales Manager and was elevated to the position of Managing Director in 1980 and maintained the position until stepping down from the role in late 1999.
One of the most major and significant community projects introduced under Peter’s leadership was in 1980 when the first 3BA Christmas Appeal was conducted. After a very modest beginning forty-one years ago the appeal has grown to become Ballarat’s longest running annual appeal raising many millions of dollars for our less fortunate families, as well as securing hundreds of thousands of toys, food items and other Christmas gifts.
The 3BA Christmas Appeal is now a widely recognized Ballarat institution enabling many thousands of less fortunate families throughout the Ballarat area to have an enjoyable Christmas, with the children of these families’ receiving toys for Christmas.
Peter Caligari on Ballarat Today with Brett Macdonald for the final time
Following his decision to step down from his position of Managing Director of 3BA and Power FM in late 1999 Peter initiated discussions with the four major welfare agencies and charities which the 3BA Christmas Appeal was assisting each year (Uniting Ballarat, Anglicare, the Salvation Army and St Vincent de Paul Society) to ascertain if a mid-year appeal would be of value to help these agencies in supporting the many less fortunate families throughout the Ballarat area who suffered extreme hardship during winter.
This resulted in the launching of the 3BA Christmas in July Appeal in 2001 and which continues to be conducted under the banner of the 3BA Winter Appeal.
In addition to his leadership of 3BA, Peter’s radio involvement extended well beyond Ballarat and for many years he was involved with the then radio industry body the Federation of Australian Radio Broadcasters (FARB.)
Peter served on the industry’s Federal Council including a term as Regional Vice President. Other roles included chairing the FARB Industrial Relations Committee and serving on the Radio Awards Committee.
His industry involvement also included being Chairman of the Radio Industry’s Superannuation Scheme Board of Trustees for 13 years.
At state level Peter also chaired the Victorian Regional Radio Stations’ promotional committee during the1990’s.
When asked if there has been one particular highlight of his career which has provided the greatest enjoyment and satisfaction, his response without hesitation…. commencing the annual 3BA Christmas Appeal, and the satisfaction of knowing that the lives of so many families have been touched through the support provided by the appeal each year since 1980.
Peter says, “The incredible generosity of donors to the appeals has never ceased to amaze me and is something which I have never taken for granted. When local people and families need support these donors are always prepared to assist.
“As my long involvement with the commercial radio industry and 3BA/Power FM now comes to a close my final and very appropriate comment is simply, Thank you Ballarat”
Radio Ballarat General Manager, John Fitzgibbon, says the stations were committed to continuing Peter’s legacy well into the future; “Serving our community in this way is part of our DNA and we’ll continue to do so for many years to come. It’s very much in line with being the leaders in local which is what Grant Broadcasters is all about”.