RADIO ARRIVES IN PROSERPINE

A century ago, people did not have the broad range of home entertainment available to us today. Prior to 1924, there was no radio or television and gramophones and records were quite expensive.

The first mention of a wireless set being used for home entertainment purposes in Proserpine was recorded in the local newspaper on September 20 1924. “The wireless was installed at the residence of Mr Robert Shepherd in Chapman Street.” Mr Robert Shepherd, Chairman of the district at the time, was obviously an early enthusiast having a set installed only weeks after its inception.
 
From August 1 1923 until July 31 1924, official radio broadcasting in Australia had required a listener to pay a licence fee to a chosen broadcaster and to a radio manufacturer to build/provide a set locked to that station only. The high cost of the licence and specially built/modified receivers proved daunting as examination of official records proves. A check of licences issued for that 1923-1924 period shows a total of only 1206 sold in Australia and only 23 of these were in Queensland. However, as soon as the sealed set restricted licences were abolished the sale of open licences skyrocketed to 31000 in Australia within four months.
 
The “Proserpine Guardian” September 20 1924 described the radio as a five-valve receiver of “up-to- date” design and went into great detail about the aerial system installed and the stations available for tuning.
 
“In order to receive the signals, two masts of Oregon pine, each fifty feet high and fixed into two hardwood blocks in the ground were needed. The arch had a spread of one hundred feet and had two wires of twisted copper with one of them connecting to the machine. The set was then ready to receive and on Saturday night at eight o’clock Mr Shepherd could tune in to Broadcasters LTD or Farmers’ LTD of Sydney. The Queensland Government intends to start almost immediately a broadcasting station in Brisbane. Both stations broadcast each evening from 8pm until 10pm. On any evening, without leaving their own homes, owners were able to listen to concerts being held in the principal cities of Australia. Mr Shepherd was also able to pick up signals from San Francisco and New Zealand.” (PG September 20 1924)

In June 1925 the following advertisement appeared in the “Guardian”

WIRELESS AGENCY    
Applications are invited for Sole Agencies for Radio Set Manufacture for Country Towns.
Successful applicants are ensured of every assistance and a handsome return.
Quality of sets is unsurpassed and price competitive.  
Either private individuals or business houses will be considered.
Apply by letter
Strand Radio Company, Strand Building, Queen Street, Brisbane.

Local shops began to advertise a range of radios, gramophones and records with prices within the reach of most people. The majority of the sets ran on batteries which had to be recharged regularly so it became worthwhile for Messrs Briggs and Mazlin to complete the installation of their up-to-date battery charging plant ready for service. With this, it was possible to charge a battery in one day or overnight. Fees were reasonable with special rates for country people so more and more families were enjoying this scientific magic.

It was the first time people could receive up-to-date news and listen to music and other forms of entertainment in their own home - a wonderful thing for isolated country people.

Story and photo courtesy Proserpine Historical Museum.

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Robert Shepherd was the first person in Proserpine to have a wireless radio installed at his address in Chapman Street

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