History

Classic Hits started its life as 4GY, in Gympie, Queensland Australia.

The driving force behind the creation of 4GY was Mr Steve L. Fittell (pictured) who operated a successful business, Fittells Radio Electric Service and also operated the amateur station VK4JO. Like all amateur stations it was forced to close down at the commencement of World War II.

4GY’s first broadcast was from the Olympia Theatre when, at 8.00pm on the 3rd of November 1941, Mr R.S. Turner became the first of many voices to be heard on 4GY. The opening night at the Olympia Theatre was, for its time, a real show-stopper.

Entertainment for the night was provided by the Gympie and District State School Choir, The Gympie Mouth Organ Band and talented Gympie and District Artists. Money raised from the night went to “Liberty”, an organisation aiding the women whose husbands were at war.

The day after the official opening 4GY began broadcasting from its premises at Brisbane Road, Monkland (pictured) and was broadcast on 1350AM using a 500 Watt AWA transmitter with a 186ft (56.7 metre) antenna.

In 1945 the station moved to new premises in Mary Street where it would remain for 39 years.

In those first years of operation thorough the dark days of the Second World War it was 4GY who kept listeners informed from the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour to the dropping of the first atomic bomb.

In 1973 a stronger signal was required and this resulted in a change of frequency to 558AM and an increase in power to 5 Kilowatts.

Then in 1984 4GY moved to its present location at Geordie Road, Monkland. The 558AM transmitter is situated near Wolvi.

In January 2005, a new translator service was introduced at Bicentennial Lookout, near Eumundi. Broadcasting in glorious stereo on 107.1FM, this transmitter reaches Noosa, Eumundi, Sunshine Beach, Peregian, Coolum and surrounds.

Today, Classic Hits is the local station for Noosa, Cooloola and Maroochy - it informs and entertains.