100 Years of Broadcasting in South Australia
Image Credit: Gayatri Pandkar https://tinyurl.com/5jkw93ux
Who: Historical Society of South Australia
What: 100 Years of Broadcasting Talk
Where: Burnside City Uniting Church
When: Friday 1 May, 2026, 7.30pm – 9pm.
Cost: non-members $5 (cash), members free.
Bookings: not required
For over a century, broadcasting has shaped how we connect, learn, and entertain. Without it, we wouldn't have the ability to communicate as widely and as effectively as we do today. From the early days of radio, which brought war reports and vital information into the home, to music that brightened everyday life, and now to modern streaming and mobile listening, broadcasting has evolved into something that surrounds us every day in our daily lives.
"Between the wars and then during, of course, [radios] brought the news from the war. It kept people informed — and then entertained. It played a really important role in spreading information to people who were very far away."
— Lyn O'Grady, Historical Society of South Australia
This May, the Historical Society of South Australia invites you to step back in time with 100 Years of Broadcasting in South Australia, a special talk exploring the remarkable journey of licensed radio and television in our state, told from the perspectives of technology, society, culture, and economy.
Presenting the evening is Ian Smyth, a member of the Historical Radio Society of Australia and longtime valve radio collector. Ian trained as a teacher in Adelaide before developing a deep passion for radio and television technology while working at BBC training studios and Channel Nine's NWS9. Now in retirement, he has returned to his lifelong passion of radio and will bring along a selection of his prized collection of restored valve radios.
The talk will cover not only the technological milestones that defined broadcasting (from analogue valve sets to digital television) but also the social and cultural impact of this industry as it emerged between the wars and evolved through to the digital age. Television arrived in South Australia in 1959, creating fierce competition for radio audiences. Today, both mediums face new challenges from online streaming platforms and artificial intelligence.
"Television as we know it is undergoing huge challenges too, with online streaming and artificial intelligence influencing what we watch and what we hear."
— Lyn O'Grady, Historical Society of South Australia
Lyn O'Grady, a committee member of the Historical Society, hopes the evening will draw a wide audience, not just history enthusiasts, but curious newcomers who may never have considered the history of the very medium through which they consume the world.
"During history month, it is an opportunity to introduce history to a wider audience, so we're hoping that we can encourage people to delve more into history in other ways."
— Lyn O'Grady, Historical Society of South Australia
This event will resonate especially with those who have lived through the journey firsthand, from the early days of licensed radio in 1924, to the arrival of television in South Australia in 1959, and everything the medium has become since.
For those who can’t make it in-person, The Historical Society of South Australia has a library of past talks available to watch online.
>> Click here to view Historical Society on YouTube.
>> Click here to view Historical Radio Society YouTube.
ABOUT THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Presented by the Historical Society of South Australia, this event highlights the organisation's long-standing commitment to preserving and sharing our state's rich history. Founded in 1974, the Society has spent decades promoting public awareness of South Australia's heritage through lectures, publications, and community engagement. As a non-profit organisation, it continues to celebrate the diverse stories and achievements that have shaped the state, fostering a deeper understanding of our collective past. Meetings are held on the first Friday of the month, February through November. Enquiries: brimar@esc.net.au
