Castlemaine’s Radio88FM has a long association with Anzac Day events and programs and this Thursday’s Anzac Day feature promises to be bigger than ever.
Radio 88FM manager Ian Braybrook has plans for the day that include the station’s usual commemorative material, but with much more.
“We have gathered together a huge collection of recordings of radio broadcasts to the armed forces of World War II and will feature them for three hours on Anzac Day afternoon,” Ian said.
“Featured artists include Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, Benny Goodman, Jack Benny, Dinah Shaw, Rosemary Clooney, Tommy Dorsey and many, many more. In fact you name it, almost every big name from the war years will be featured.”
The broadcast will occupy the afternoon from about 2pm onwards.
Anzac Day holds a special place in Ian’s heart with a close relative of his, Private Ron Collard, having died 1943 at just 19 years of age. He was laid to rest in Kanchanaburi War Cemetery in Thailand. The cemetery houses the graves of many prisoners of war who died while working on the notorious Burma-Siam Railway.
“Many of our senior listeners have strong memories of those bad years, some of course are very sad, but the music of the time will hopefully conjure up thoughts of the more pleasant times and good friends,” he said.
“Younger people will probably enjoy the sounds of so long ago – a bit quaint compared to today – but it will give them a better understanding of the wartime life, the events and the music our people enjoyed.”
The station plans to continue the theme of 1940s and 1950s music shows on Sunday afternoons well into the future.
