Today, the Riverina’s 1152 Triple M celebrates 90 years of serving Wagga Wagga and the Riverina region.
On the night of Wednesday, June 29 in 1932, Senator Charles Hardy performed the opening ceremony, and 2WG went to air for the very first time and became ‘The Voice of the Riverina.’
Initially owned and operated by husband and wife team, the late Eric and Nan Roberts, at the time 2WG was one of the most up to date country broadcasting stations in Australia.
Over the past 90 years, 1152 Triple M has been a part of so many significant moments of the region. Keeping the community informed during floods and bushfires and celebrating events such as the establishment of the R.A.A.F base in 1940.
1152 Triple M was part of the proclamation of Wagga Wagga becoming a city in April 1946, selling the first Chiko Roll at the Wagga Wagga Show in 1951 and waving to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh, in February 1954 during their visit Down Under.
In 2016, 1152 Triple M remained to be one the Riverina’s favourite and most reliable radio stations across the region, continuing to grow and offer listeners greater access to the world of entertainment and music as it became part of the Triple M network.
SCA NSW Regional Content Director, Duncan Potts, said: “It’s an honour to be part of this historic celebration for Triple M. When the radio station opened back in 1932, the station policy right from the start was to ‘foster everything that comes under the title of Riverina’, and it’s a policy that is still a pillar of everything that we do today.
“It indeed is a pleasure to be a small part of the rich history of this important player in Australian radio history.”
Listen to Riverina’s Triple M on 1152 or via the LiSTNR app.
THE STORY OF RIVERINA’S 1152 TRIPLE M
On Wednesday, 29 June 2022 the Riverina’s 1152 Triple M celebrates 90 years of serving Wagga Wagga and the Riverina.
On the night of Wednesday June 29 in 1932, Senator Charles Hardy performed the opening ceremony, and 2WG went to air for the very first time, and became “The Voice Of The Riverina”.
2WG was initially owned and operated by husband and wife team, the late Eric and Nan Roberts, who were both formally school teachers from Narrandera.
At the time, 2WG was one of the most up to date country broadcasting stations in Australia, operating out of purpose built facilities in Fitzmaurice Street. The beautiful Fitzmaurice Street studios, even had its own dance hall on the ground floor that housed performances from the 2WG Studio Dance Band.
The Fitzmaurice Street studios was to be home for the next 68 years. When the station moved, the famous 2WG sign stayed, and thanks to a group of dedicated locals, the sign was restored to its original glory, and once again beams over Fitzmaurice Street every night.
In June of 2000, 2WG moved from Fitzmaurice Street to share the Prime 7 TV studios on Lake Albert Road. This was supposed to be a temporary move while a new facility was built, but it ended up being 2WG’s home for the next 15 years.
In October of 2015, 2WG moved into its brand new purpose built facility on Forsyth Street.
During those 90 years 2WG has been a part of so many significant moments.
Keeping the community informed during floods and bushfires, and being there for significant community events.
In December 2016, 2WG became part of the Triple M Network and is today known as Riverina’s 1152 Triple M.
SIGNIFICANT DATES IN 1152 TRIPLE M WITNESSED IN WAGGA WAGGA’S HISTORY
1940 Establishment of No. 2/S.F.T.S. R.A.A.F. at Forest Hill (now R.A.A.F. Base)
1941 Establishment of Royal Australian Engineers Training Centre at Kapooka (now known as Kapooka Military Area)
1943 Opening of College of Technical and Further Education
1946 Wagga Wagga proclaimed a City, 17 April.
1946 Municipal Library opened.
1947 Teachers College established (absorbed into Charles Sturt University).
1951 Municipal Abattoir opened.
Extension of City boundary, 7 December. Total area, 8,971 hectares.
First Chiko Roll ever sold was at the Wagga Wagga Country Show
1953 City Baths officially opened, 28 November.
1954 Visit to Wagga Wagga by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh, 13 February.
1962 Botanic Gardens established.
1963 Civic Theatre opened.
1972 Opening of Riverina Institute of Higher Education (later Charles Sturt University).
1986 Wagga Wagga awarded first place in NSW Tidy Town competition.
1995 Wiradjuri Bridge erected.
1997 Gobbagombalin Bridge opened.
Major floods: 1950, 1952 and 1956.
About Triple M:
After 40 years, Triple M continues to be one of Australia’s best-known radio entertainment brands and the only radio network that provides its listeners with a unique combination of Greatest Hits, Sport and Comedy. With 49 stations across Australia, including five digital stations, Triple M 80s, Triple M Classic Rock, Triple M Country, Triple M Hard N Heavy and Triple M 90s, Triple M has become known for playing Rock’s Greatest Hits, and its iconic talent and shows that get people talking.
The iconic brand entertains more than 3.7 million radio and on demand listeners each week and is home to some of Australia’s biggest sporting heroes, comedians and music gurus including Marty Sheargold, Mark Geyer, Basil Zempilas, Gus Worland, Jess Eva, Margaux Parker, Wendell Sailor, Ryan Girdler, Leisel Jones, Peter Sterling, James Brayshaw, Billy Brownless, Gorden Tallis, Greg Martin, Mark Ricciuto, Chris Dittmar, Peter ‘Spida’ Everitt and Andrew Jarman to name just a few! And now, all Triple M’s content is available live or on demand on the LiSTNR app.