2GLF History

The 1970s

Born out of the social difficulties facing the largely disadvantaged housing commission area of Green Valley during the sixties and early seventies.

Unemployment was the only growth industry in the area. Greater social awareness was generated in the area out of Peter Weir’s film ‘Whatever Happened to Green Valley‘.

Shortly afterwards Joan Killorn, along with neighbours Frank Scambary & Jim Tumeth came up with the idea of starting a community radio station.

Test Transmissions
An embryo born out of an idea to challenge the status quo and the Post & Telegraphy Act, resulted in a loop hole being found in the Act that allowed for “test transmissions”.

A test transmission licence was applied for and received. The first test transmission went to air in 1975 from the Miller Community Centre. This marked the beginning of Community Radio in the Liverpool Area.

The Search For Equipment
Equipment was borrowed from many sources – a transmitter and antenna was borrowed from 2MBS-FM. At the time MBS was the only FM station on-air in Australia – with our test transmission, 2GLF-FM was the second.

This was to begin a movement that started other interest groups forming across Sydney and Australia. The mantra would be; “To provide access to the airwaves to those in the community who cannot normally access them and to compliment and supplement existing commercial and national services.”

More Testing
The Liverpool group was later sharing premises with a community video Access Centre at 267 Bigge Street where 2 test transmissions were conducted in 1976 and 1978. The 1976 transmission was covered by in a news report by Channel Ten.

The sector grew and grew and lobbied government ministers but was ignored. Licences were not granted and didn’t even look like ever being granted.

An umbrella group called ‘The Public Broadcasting Association of NSW’ was formed. This was later updated to ‘The Public Broadcasting Association of Australia’ and finally the ‘Community Broadcasting Association of Australia‘.

In 1979 the video access centre and radio group moved to Scott Street Liverpool. Another test transmission followed shortly after in the summer of 1980.

The 1980s

Temporary Licenses Granted
Government funding for the video centre was stopped and consequently folded leaving the radio group temporarily homeless.

Meanwhile… A by-election campaign for former PM, Billy McMahon’s (very marginal) seat got a visit from then Minister for communications, Ian Sinclair. A direct question was put to him “why not call for community broadcasting licences?” The question wasn’t ignored and very soon afterwards there was a call for 7 Sydney licence applications.

The Search For a Home
Possible sites were scouted with 2WS offering their original studios at 2 Leabon’s Lane, Seven Hills… as long as we could move it off the site. This was a very small, very old and very tiny wooden two bedroom house!

Liverpool Council showed solid support and offered the former SES building at 19 Christie Street, Liverpool. This run-down site became the centre of activity to build studios. The 2WS house was stripped of anythings useful and used in constructing the Christie Street studios.

A test transmission was conducted from Christie Street mid 1982 with an antenna strapped to the back of the building.

A License… And the Birth of 2GLF
The original group was known as 2LGV-FM and during the licence application process, everyone attended everyone else’s hearings to get ideas. The Liverpool licence hearing took place in the Liverpool City Council chambers. Submissions were presented by Joan Killorn, Frank Scambary and Ian Becker.

Months later in September 1982, news was received that we were successful and had 12 months to get on-air. This was on the proviso that the call sign be changed to 2GLF-FM, and the group form a registered co-operative as its business entity.

Liverpool-Fairfield Community Radio Co-operative Limited was established and work continued towards the deadline. 2GLF began regular broadcasting on 89.3 FM across Sydney in September 1983.

The 1990s

A Move to Macquarie Street
1996 saw a major upheaval. Liverpool City Council advised of their intention to sell the land in Christie Street to re-zone the entire street as ‘residential’. After many negotiations, Liverpool Council agreed to allow 2GLF to use the School of Arts Building in Macquarie Street in 1999.

Liverpool Council assisted with the logistics of moving and the keys were handed over by Deputy Mayor, Wendy Waller personally. Once again, studios were built. Equipment was purchased and installed. Macquarie Street broadcasting commenced in October 1997.

The 2000s

Another Move?
The School of Arts Building made a fitting home for many years but by 2005 trouble was brewing. Rumours began to surface of the possible redevelopment of Macquarie Street.

This was confirmed when Liverpool Council signed an agreement with a developer for the Macquarie Street site. At the same time, they reaffirmed their support for 2GLF with the promise to find a new location.

A number of sites, including the Powerhouse Arts Centre and the Regional Museum were proposed but ultimately found unsuitable. Things looked hopeful with the old Skate Park on Memorial Avenue offered as a firm location.

Planning discussions progressed with Council officers. The only snag was the council’s desire to keep 2GLF in the School of Arts building as security for the heritage-listed building itself.

The 2010s

Save Our Station
Despite Liverpool Council’s written promise to provide a premises (still at the skate park), added complications arrived when the Council’s Administration Centre burned down in 2010… just as the Global Financial Crisis hit.

By 2011, the Council reconsidered usage of the old Administration site precinct and decided to look at a long term commercial lease on the site. The skate park is no longer available for our use. In August of that year the Macquarie Street developer was given an extension and on 10th August, 2GLF was given notice to move out by February 2012.

The letter also advised that they did not intend to provide an alternative location, actively reversing their promises. With nowhere to go, so began operation ‘Save Our Station’ on Saturday 13th August 2012.

On Demand Launches
Launched in July 2012, our On Demand service more than doubled the online audience for the station, traffic to our website is up by 50% and most importantly our audience can listen to any program at anytime.

A Permanent Home at Bigge Street
Following uncertainty about a more permanent home and the ‘Save Our Station’ campaign, contracts were exchanged and the Bigge Street, Liverpool location was purchased. A lot of hard work was put in to design and build these new state of the art studios.

Studio Opening and 30th Birthday
2013 was a big year for 89.3 2GLF with the Grand Opening of the Bigge Street studios. The event included a ceremonial ‘Cutting of the Ribbon’ outside the building at 161 Bigge Street and a tour of the studios by New South Wales Governor, Professor Marie Bashir, who graciously accepted our invitation.

The celebrations continued with the station’s 30th Birthday. Members of the community came along to share their appreciation for the efforts of the many volunteers who helped bring 89.3 2GLF to life and maintain it over the years.

1st Birthday at Bigge St

In early 2017, Liverpool–Fairfield Community Radio Limited paid off the mortgage for our Bigge Street studios. Thanks to the contributions of members this took only five years, which was half the expected time. This helped secure the long-term future of the station with a permanent location.

The 2020s

Going State of the Art
2GLF currently broadcasts from Bigge Street, Liverpool with state-of-the art equipment providing quality radio for the Liverpool-Fairfield community and beyond.

All programs are available On Demand and Live-To-Air.