RADIO 1404 2PK's History

Parkes Broadcasting Co. Pty. Ltd. is the licensee of 2PK, which is a part of the Super Radio Network, Broadcast Operations Group (BOG) that operates a number of radio stations in northern New South Wales and southern Queensland.

 

On Saturday 5th October 1937, Radio Station 2PK, the Voice of the Golden West, made its on-air debut from a small studio in Close Street Parkes. The station was a success and broadcasted to local communities throughout the Central West in including Forbes, Peak Hill, Narromine, Wellington, Condobolin, Bogan Gate, Eugowra, Tullamore, Trundle, West Wyalong, Manildra and Molong.

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Mr Frank Spicer, was the original licensee and managing director of Parkes Broadcasting Company Pty Limited (2PK)

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On Monday 23rd December 1946 2PK’s studios in Close Street, were destroyed by fire night after the station had closed down for the night. The fire began about 11.45pm, three-quarters of an hour after the close of the night's programme. The Parkes Fire Brigade was called to the scene, but the fire took hold of the fibro structure and the building was totally destroyed.

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The station was off-air for around 3 days until a makeshift station and transmitters where located.

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In 1939 2PK Station owner Mr Frank Spicer saw an ideal way to promote his radio station by sponsoring the Far West Health Scheme with the commencement of the 2PK Sunshine Club.

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A handshake between Frank Spicer and Rev Drummond sealed the deal and the Sunshine Club was born.

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At one time, there were 33 branches and Monday to Friday, the song ‘Painting the Clouds With Sunshine’ was played. Every household in the listening area would turn their radio on.

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Betty Muzyczuk MBE (Frank’s daughter) began as the official announcer and organiser in 1948 after her sister, Cecily Wall.. If you were new in the Central West,  you tuned into 2PK for the Sunshine Club.  The2PK Sunshine Club Show commenced in 1947 and ran to 2000. It had raised over a millon dollars for The Far West Childrens Heath Scheme at Manly

 

The Sunshine Club

Announcer CECILY SPICER guided the 2PK Sunshine Club, the financial efforts of which are devoted to the Far West Children's Health Scheme. The "Sunshine Club'' has a membership of over 5,000 and from its activities the Far West Scheme benefits

One of Australia's largest radio listener clubs was the 2PK Sunshine Club, boasting 5,000 members and guided by Cecily Spicer. Also on air was Bob Barton who 'originally studied for the medical profession but decided in favour of radio' and was technician-announcer after earlier working at 2LF Young and 4VL Charleville.

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One of the most popular fund raising events was the Handicraft Day. The first was held at the Parkes Showground, then the Leagues Club in October each year.

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Each Sunshine Club member had their own special name and some of them were quite wonderful.

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The club purchased mini-buses, station wagons, Ambulances, refurbished the Drummond Home, and provided linen, food trolleys, ear testing equipment, nursery renovations, respirator, audio equipment and ECG.

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Today, Forbes and Trundle still have a Sunshine Club and continue to raise money for the scheme.

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Children from Parkes are still going down to Manly (where the home is located) for treatment.

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The Sunshine Club in Parkes finished in 1982 when 2PK changed hands.

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It would be interesting if local residents who were part of the club and still remember their Sunshine name could send it in.

2PK Parkes 'The Voice of the Golden West' began broadcasting on October 5 1937 form Clarinda Street to 2 November 1979, then relocated to its current premises.

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A major part of 2PK’s coverage area is situated in the Lachlan Valley located in Central West New South Wales. The area has some of the richest and most productive mining, agricultural and grazing land in NSW.

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The Newel Highway runs through Parkes and Forbes and is fast growing as a transport hub for interstate traffic from Brisbane, Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney.

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