Original staff to attend radio celebrations

Press, 25 September 1987, Page 5

Original staff to attend radio celebrations

At least two of the original staff members are expected to take part in the week-end’s fiftieth anniversary celebrations of Christchurch’s Radio 3ZB. One is Mr Teddy Grundy, of Riccarton, who will cut the anniversary cake at luchtime today at the D.1.C., in one of many events organised by the station to mark the occasion.

Another “original,” Mr Jack Bremner, is expected to travel from Auckland for the celebrations.

Radio 3ZB began broadcasting on September 28, 1937, from its Colombo Street studios above what is now the Nathans Variety store between Gloucester Street and Armagh Street. In those days it was “very much a segmented programme,” said the present district manager of Radio New Zealand, Mr lan Vernazoni.

The station played gramophone records, broadcast many live artists, and many features such as serials, sponsored by advertisers. Mr Vernazoni said the evening programme was dedicated to serials and specials on subjects such as motoring and gardening. By day, there were shopping sessions, housewife quizzes, and the popular “Aunt Daisy,” whose show was networked from 2ZB in Wellington. “Gracie and Jacko” was a popular children’s programme. It featured Jack Maybury, whose son, Jack, also broadcast from 3ZB in later years, and Grace Green, “one of the first female personalities in radio,” said Mr Vernazoni. Mr Vemazoni’s own radio career began at 3ZB wh<yi he began as an

announcer in 1946. After some years on other stations, he returned as chief announcer for three years in the late 19505, and again in 1981, to his present post.

Many well known New Zealand radio personalities have worked at the station, including Murray Forgie and Sharon Crosbie. Ms Crosbie, now “off-air” as Broadcasting’s corporate director of public affairs, is expected to attend the anniversary celebrations. Up to 400 past and present staff members are expected during the weekend, for a programme of events including a cabaret and tours of the station’s studios at Kent House, Durham Street. A jubilee booklet is being produced.

The Kent House studios are only the second home for the station, which moved there in 1978 from the original studios in Colombo Street.

The transmitter site has been through more changes. It was originally at New Brighton, with a transmitting tower on land that is now the Rawhiti golf course. During the war, that was considered' too vulnerable to any invasion force landing on the beach and it was moved to Gloucester Street, above what is now the Christchurch television studios.

That transmitting tower is still in place, carrying the microwave dishes for the television link between the studios and the Sugarloaf transmitter. About 1950, 3ZB began transmitting from Gebbies Pass. The transmitter was finally moved from there to its present site injMarshland in the early 1980 s.