Rob Davidson is the founder, vice-president and treasurer of community station Braidwood FM in NSW. In 2004 he created the radio series Flashback Featured Artist that chronicles the careers of Australian and New Zealand musical talent. Now airing on Braidwood FM, 2NVR Nambucca Valley, 2ARM-FM Armidale and 2GHR Greater Hume Radio Holbrook, and with more than 300 programs, The National Film and Sound Archive (NFSA) officially accepted the collection on 3 March 2025, preserving for posterity.

Each program takes a deeper dive into an artist’s career with episodes ranging from 25 to 108 minutes. Noy just household names are featured but also lesser-known acts whose influence was often localised but impactful.

Rob moved from western Sydney to Braidwood in 1999. Finding no local station he was central to founding Braidwood Community Radio, which launched on Australia Day 2003. Rob moved from Braidwood to Macksville in 2015 then to Junee in 2019 working in community radio in all places and taking Flashback with him. Alongside his ongoing roles at Braidwood FM Rob is also on the Committee of Nambucca Valley Radio as their Treasurer.

With a passion for community radio and Australian music Rob’s Flashback Featured Artist will now, thanks to the NFSA, be available so that future generations can hear those stories.

If you do go exploring the NFSA website, they also have a fantastic new ‘curated mixtape’ celebrating five decades of Australian music television. As Molly would say, ‘do yourself a favour.’ 

Link: https://www.nfsa.gov.au/collection/curated/tune-freak-out