21 June 2026
► EVENTS ON THIS DATE, 21 JUNE;
1952, Narrandera, New South Wales – Hundreds were rescued from flood waters which swept through the town and nearby Condoblin, Wagga and Forbes and over 6,000 were rendered homeless.
1952, Cessnock, New South Wales – The studio of local radio station 2CK was destroyed by fire, after a late evening announcer, who was rushing to catch a bus to his home in Maitland, left an electric heater on in the building.
The station was closed down and it’s broadcasting licence was transferred to a new radio station, 2NM, which was launched on 14 January 1954 in Muswellbrook, 90 kilometres away.
1961, A Royal Air Force Vulcan aircraft made a record non-stop flight from Britain to Australia, covering the 19,300 km in only 20 hours, and with three aerial refuellings.
1965 Hobart, Tasmania – The Premier, Eric Reece, announced that the Gordon Power Scheme would “result in some modification to the Lake Pedder National Park”, but it was still in development and no further details were revealed.
1966, Mosman, Sydney, New South Wales – An attempt was made to assassinate the Federal Opposition leader, Arthur Calwell, as he left an anti-conscription meeting. The closed window of his car shattered, but deflected the bullet, with Calwell receiving minor injuries.
► ARRIVALS ON THIS DATE
1932, O.C. Smith, in Mansfield, Louisiana, U.S.A., pop singer who had major hits in 1968 with Son of Hickory Holler’s Tramp and Little Green Apples. He died in 2001, aged 89.
1932, Boris Claudio Schifrin alias Lalo Schifrin, in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He was composer, pianist, and conductor best known for his film and TV scores, such as the Mission Impossible theme.. He died in 2025, aged 93.
1948, Lionel Rose, in Warragul, Victoria. He was a bantamweight boxer, the first indigenous Australian to win a title and be named Australian of the Year. He died in 2011, aged 62.
1974, Craig Lowndes, in Melbourne, Victoria. He was Australian racing driver, three time V8 Supercar champion and five time Bathurst 1000 winner.
► DEPARTURES ON THIS DATE
1968, William Earl Johns, alias Captain W E Johns, in London, England, aged 75. He was an author, particularly of the Biggles series of adventure novels.
1980, Berthold Heinrich Kaempfert alias Bert Kaempfert, in Majorca, Spain, aged 56. He was an orchestra leader and composer of numerous easy-listening hits, including Strangers In The Night, Moon Over Naples, Wonderland By Night, and the Elvis Presley hit, Wooden Heart..
2019, William Simons, in London, England, aged 78. He was an actor who had the role of PC Alf Ventress in the TV drama series Heartbeat for over a decade. He has also appeared in Coronation Street, The Sweeney, Minder, Dempsey & Makepeace, Doctor Who and The Bill
Today’s Photo: Tasmanian Fire Service exhibits at the Tasmanian Transport Museum, Glenorchy. (Yours Truly)
Today’s Playlist :
| TRACK | RELEASE YEAR | PLAY TIME | LAST PLAYED |
| Ben Hutcheson – Almost There | 2026 | 06:06 | – |
| Matt Scullion – Built To Break | 2026 | 06:12 | – |
| Gary R Farmer – I’m Hanging Around | 2026 | 06:16 | 7/6/2026 |
| O C Smith – Little Green Apples O C Smith, was born on this day in 1932 in Mansfield, Louisiana, U.S.A.. He died in 2001, aged 89. | 1968 | 06:21 | 23/11/2018 |
| Lionel Rose – I Thank You | 1970 | 06:25 | 4/1/2026 |
| Romantic Strings Orchestra – Mozart’s 40th | 06:31 | 30/1/2026 | |
| Vintage Vinyl Dean Martin – Volare | 1958 | 06:36 | – |
| Lana G – Dance Till Dawn | 2026 | 06:39 | – |
| Jonny Blue – Kids Can’t Wait | 2026 | 06:44 | 7/6/2026 |
| Diamond 45 – Charting on this day 1966 + Chiffons – Sweet Talking Guy | 1966 | 06:51 | 7/6/2026 |
| + Easybeats – Women Make You Feel Alright | 1966 | 06:53 | 7/6/2026 |
| Boney M – Night Flight To Venus | 06:57 | 22/2/2026 | |
| The French Family Band – Here Comes the Sun Again | 2026 | 07:05 | – |
| COUNTRY ROAD + Gerard Gormley – Two Rooms and a Kitchen | 2026 | 07:10 | 1/3/2026 |
| + Graeme Clarke & Heather Johnson – Someone Is Looking For Someone Like You | 2026 | 07:14 | 19/6/2026 |
| For A Listener: Cliff Richard – Constantly | 1964 | 07:19 | 21/6/2024 |
| Noel J Van Ross – Spread Your Wings | 2026 | 07:24 | – |
| Philip Wildman – High Country | 2025 | 07:29 | 26/4/2026 |
| Bert Kaempfert & His Orchestra – Skokiaan | 07:34 | 19/6/2026 | |
| Vintage Vinyl Brook Benton – Fools Rush In | 1960 | 07:39 | 19/9/2025 |
| Larry Cann – Keepin’ It Real | 2025 | 07:41 | 12/4/2026 |
| Diamond 45 – Charting on this day 1966 + SSgt Barry Sadler – Letter From Vietnam | 1966 | 07:46 | 19/6/2026 |
| + Neil Diamond – Solitary Man | 1966 | 07:48 | 19/6/2026 |
| Cara McGillion – One Day At A Time | 2026 | 07:52 | 17/5/2026 |
| Dale Hooper – Thank God For Radio | 07:56 | 21/12/2025 | |
| Willie Nelson – Nothing I Can Do About It Now | 08:05 | 29/12/2024 | |
| For A Listener: Gene Watson – This Song Is Just For You | 08:10 | 24/5/2026 | |
| COMFORT ZONE + Irish Rovers – The Wild Colonial Boy | 08:13 | – | |
| + Foster & Allen – Que Sera Sera | 08:16 | 25/12/2020 | |
| Slim Whitman – Cara Mia | 08:21 | 18/8/2024 | |
| For A Listener: John Williamson – Cootamundra Wattle | 08:27 | 3/5/2026 | |
| James Last & His Orchestra – Games That Lovers Play | 08:34 | 11/6/2021 | |
| Vintage Vinyl Winifred Atwell – Black And White Rag | 1952 | 08:36 | 14/11/2025 |
| Sharon Whitcroft – I Can’t Even Walk Without You Holding My Hand | 2026 | 08:40 | 12/6/2026 |
| John Williamson & Warren Williams – Raining On The Rock | 08:43 | 17/9/2023 | |
| Barry Crocker – This Is My Song | 08:48 | 29/11/2019 | |
| Rodney Vincent – I Just Called To Say I Love You | 08:52 | 22/10/2023 |