24 December 2023, Christmas Eve

Edition 761, Valley Sunrise

Today’s Playlist:

Hour 1:

Bruce Woodley – With My Swag On My Shoulder
Eamonn Jackson – Tonight Carmen
Bill & Boyd – Santa Never Made It Into Darwin (1975)
(For uninitiated readers, this song was written after the city of Darwin was destroyed early Christmas Day, 1974.)
Victoria Eman – Here In Christmas Town (2023)
Robert Goulet – I Remember You
Brian May & ABC Melbourne Showband – Till There Was You

NEW! Larissa Tormey – In The Bleak Midwinter (2023)
New Zealand Maori Chorale with Wiki Baker – Po Atarau (See On This Day below.)
Bette Midler – Tenderly
The Billboard Top 20 Tracks of 1960 – No 15: Marty Robbins – El Paso (1960)
Warren Kearney – Christmas Our Way (2023)
101 Strings – 59th Street Bridge Song

Hour 2:

Tony Clarke – Hallelujah It’s Christmas (2023)
By Request: Boney M – Mary’s Boy Child
By Request: John Lennon – Happy Christmas War Is Over
By Request: Cats & Dogs – Jingle Bells
Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band – Early Morning Train (1969)
By Request: Foster & Allen – Rose Of My Heart

By Request: Ray Conniff Singers – The Little Drummer Boy
Daryl Wayne Dasher – Buckaroo Christmas Eve
Maurie & Marty Fields – An Aussie Bush Christmas
Bucko & Champs – The North Wind
Merilyn Steele – Merry Christmas Anyway

On This Day:

1953  New Zealand’s worst-ever railway disaster occurred after the pylons of the Tangiwai railway bridge were weakened by a lahar, or flash flood in the Whangaehu River, only minutes before the Wellington – Auckland overnight express was to cross.

A passing motorist attempted to warn the train driver as the train approached, but although the driver applied the emergency brakes, the train could not be stopped in time and the bridge collapsed beneath its weight.  Of 285 passengers and crew aboard, 151 were lost.

To all my regular – and irregular – listeners, thanks for your support and have a great Christmas. Other TYGA-FM volunteers are staffing the studio around the clock from now, through to midnight Boxing Day (26th). Please support them also, by giving them a phone call, or by requesting a favourite track. The phone number is 6261 2000.

Thanks also to Ian MacPhee and Paul Meagher of community radio CFEP Seaside FM in Eastern Passage, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada; also Ron Bickle of CFTA Radio Tantramar, Amherst, Nova Scotia, for their valuable work with Music Unlimited through this year and past years.

You can hear Music Unlimited between 6.00 and 7.00 every Sunday morning, in Australia ONLY on TYGA-FM 98.9.

22 December 2023

Edition 396, Friday Morning Radio

Today’s Playlist

Hour 1:

Tommy B – Bed Of Roses (2021)
Mountain Rio – Rockabilly Christmas (2023)
Tom Curtain – When The Rain Comes Down (2023)
Bruce Mackay – Schoey and Jess (2023)
Angus Gill & Melinda Schneider – Don’t Get Your Tinsel In A Tangle (2022)
By Request: Elvis Presley & Sara Evans – Silent Night
Tito Lecuona & His Orchestra – Frenesi

Grady Martin & His Slewfoot Five – He’ll Have To Go
Acoustic Bloom – Christmas Eve (2023)
Andre Kostelanetz – Games That Lovers Play
(Born this day 1901 in St Petersburgh, Russia – Andre Kostelanetz, American popular orchestra conductor and arranger, a pioneer of easy listening music. Kostelanetz was known for arranging and recording light classical pieces for mass audiences, and orchestral versions of songs and show tunes from Broadway.  Over 50 million of his recordings were sold and his works became staples of beautiful music radio stations. Died 1980.)
Brothers Four – And I Love Her
60 Year Diamond Classic: Bing Crosby – Do You Hear What I Hear (1963)
60 Year Diamond Classic: Jerry Vale – Camelot (1963)
Billy Joel – My Life

Hour 2:

Tommy Fleming & Irish Concert Orchestra – The Boxer
Cowboy Bob Wallace – Christmas O Christmas (2023)
Victoria Eman – Here In Christmas Town (2023)
They Don’t Make Them Like This Anymore: Eddie Cochran – Sittin’ In The Balcony (1957)
Bee Gees – Spicks And Specks (1966)
(Born this day 1949 in Douglas, Isle of Man – Twins, Maurice Gibb and Robin Gibb, musicians and singer-songwriters, of the Bee Gees, together with their brother Barry.  The trio got their start in Australia, found major success in England. (Maurice died 12 Jan 2003 age 53;   Robin died 20 May 2012 age 62.)
Shaza Leigh – Why I Love December (2023)

Lindsay Waddington – A Magical Christmas (2022)
Texettes – Land That We Love (2023)
Ames Brothers – Melodie D’Amour (1957)
(Died this day 2007 in 2007 Hesse, Germany – Joseph Urick, alias Joe Ames, of the very popular 1950s singing quartet the Ames Brothers, who had million selling hits such as The Naughty Lady of Shady Lane, You You You, Tammy and Melodie D’Amour.  Aged 86)
ABBA – Another Town Another Train (1973)
Margot Eskens – Auch Matrosen Haben Heimweh

Hour 3:

Abby Grace – Heavy Mental (2023)
Mary Gantley – Burning Love (2023)
Richard Mulligan – Christmas In Cantubber
Slim Dusty – Christmas On The Station
Richard Chamberlain – Three Stars Will Shine Tonight (1962)
Larissa Tormey – Special Christmas (2019)
Seekers – Building Bridges (1989)

Isla Grant – Flying High
60 Year Diamond Classic: Trini Lopez – Kansas City (1963)
60 Year Diamond Classic: Shadows – Geronimo (1963)
Toni Fisher – West Of The Wall (1961)
Glenn Levi – Christmas In Australia (2022)
Amber Lawrence – Aussie Aussie Christmas

* Diamond Classics are tracks which were released on 45 rpm singles, and which were charting in Hobart, on this day 60 years ago.

ON THIS DAY (22 December):

1943  Hobart, Tasmania – The floating concrete pontoon bridge across the Derwent between Hobart and Bellerive was opened.  Crossing it was subject to a toll payment, which was discontinued on 31 December 1948.  This was the first bridge of it’s type in the world and remained in use until the opening of the Tasman Bridge on 17 August 1964.

1964  Palmdale, California, U.S.A. – The first flight of the SR-71 Blackbird aircraft took place.  This was an advanced, long range, Mach 3+ reconnaissance aircraft, which operated at high speeds and altitudes to allow it to outrace threats.  If an approaching missile was detected, the standard evasive action was simply to accelerate.  The SR-71 was in service with the U.S. Air Force until 1998, during which time, 12 of the 32 aircraft were destroyed in accidents, but none were lost to hostile action.

17 December 2023

Edition 760, Valley Sunrise

Today’s playlist:

Hour 1:

Julie Anthony – Some Kind Of Friend
Sailor – The Old Nickelodeon Sound (1975)
Jo Smeets – A Simple Song Of Freedom (2022)
Cowboy Bob Wallace – Christmas O Christmas (2023)
Tommy Steele – Little White Bull (1959) (Thomas William Hicks, alias Tommy Steele, Britain’s first teen idol and rock star, born this day 1936 in Bermondsey, London. Turns 87 today.)

Shaza Leigh – Why I Love December (2023)
Grace Rivera – Fly Away
Tom O’Sullivan – A Special Christmas
Billboard Top 20 Tracks of 1960 – No 14: Jack Scott – What In The World’s Come Over You
Gretta Ziller – Cross My Fingers (2023)
James Last Orchestra – Loch Lomond

Hour 2:

Jim Reeves – The Christmas Polka
By Request: John Williamson – A Christmas Photo
By Request: Kamahl – Desiderata
By Request: Porky Pig – Blue Christmas
By Request: Foster & Allen – Christmas Time In Ireland
Stanley Sokol & Polkateers – Varsiovana

By Request: Pussycat – Mississippi
Jason Mark & Col Defries – This Is Christmas
Anne Murray – Shadows In The Moonlight
By Request: Johnny Mathis – The Twelfth Of Never
A Diamond Classic: Gene McDaniels – Spanish Lace (1962)
A Diamond Classic: Bobby Rydell – Do The Cha Cha Cha (1962)

ON THIS DAY (17 December):

1903  Kitty Hawk, North Carolina – The Wright Brothers made their first powered and heavier-than-air flight

1919  The first aerial crossing of Bass Strait was made by Lieutenant Arthur Long.  Flying a single engine biplane, Long took off from a paddock near Launceston and made an emergency landing at the Victorian seaside township of Torquay 3½ hours later.  He eventually reached Melbourne 6½ hours after leaving Tasmania.

1924  Hobart, Tasmania – The first radio concert to be broadcast in the city was transmitted on Hobart’s first radio station, 7ZL.  The announcer was D C Cameron, and it featured the choir of the Lansdowne Crescent State School.
7ZL is now part of the ABC’s Radio National network.

1929 BORN Birmingham, England – Jacqueline Hill, actress who was the first companion to appear in the BBC TV science fiction series Doctor Who in 1963.  In the role of Barbara Wright, she spoke the first words in the series.  Died 1993.

1935  Santa Monica, California, U.S.A. – The first Douglas DC 3 aircraft made its maiden flight.  Over 16,000 DC 3s were built, and used for civilian and numerous military purposes.  They are one of the most significant transport aircraft ever made, with many still flying throughout the world.

1967 DIED Portsea, Victoria – Australia’s then Prime Minister, Harold Holt, who disappeared while swimming in rough conditions at Cheviot Beach.  The biggest air, sea and beach search in Victoria’s history failed to find any trace of Mr Holt.

2003 Hampstead, London, England – Edward Sidney Devereaux, Australian actor, director and scriptwriter, who appeared in numerous Australian and English productions. (Aged 78) 

SKY HIGH – A regular segment during Valley Sunrise and Friday Morning Radio, listing planets visible to the unaided eye (given clear conditions) and when. The outer planets; Uranus, Neptune, Pluto and Eris, are not included as specialised equipment is required to see them.

Mercury, the smallest planet is now impossible to see from Earth.

Venus  rises around  3.35 a.m., and is a very conspicuous feature of the morning sky, until it fades from view at dawn, around 5.25 a.m..

Mars cannot be seen, as Earth is now on the opposite side of the Sun.

Jupiter, the largest planet in our Solar System, will become visible in the north-north-east around 8.50 p.m.  Jupiter moves across the sky and sets 2.50 a.m.

Saturn will become visible around 9.10 p.m., high in the north-west.  Saturn sets at 12.25 a.m.

The Moon is waxing from New phase.  It now appears as a crescent, rising today at 9.50 a,m.  Moonrise tomorrow, 11.00 a.m.

15 December 2023

Edition 395, Friday Morning Radio

Another three hours of easy listening with indie releases and memories;

A rundown on some roadworks to watch out for in the South;

Railway Round-up (when Tasmanian volunteer-operated Tourist & Heritage trains are running);

And Sky High (which planets are visible and when).

Today’s playlist – If you have a request, please let me know; my e-mail address is; [email protected]

Hour 1:

Angus Gill & Melinda Schneider – Don’t Get Your Tinsel In A Tangle (2022)
Jax Tonic – Sitting Here On A Bench (2023)
Kaiden Page (Age 10) – This Is The Life (2023)
Jerry Wallace – In The Misty Moonlight (1964) (Jerry Wallace born this day 1928 in Guilford, Missouri, USA. Died 2008)
Johnny Young – It’s A Sunny Day (1968)
Percy Faith & His Orchestra – Mucho Gusto

Larissa Tormey – Glow Of Winter’s Eve (2022)
David Curtis – Christmas Day The First Day of Forever (2022)
Dave Clark Five – Glad All Over (1964) (Dave Clark born this day 1944 Tottenham, London, England. Turns 84)
Damian Davis – Today’s Teardrops (2023)
A Diamond Classic: Kathy Kirby – Secret Love (1963)
A Diamond Classic: Chubby Checker – Loddy Lo (1963)
By Request: The Drongos – Jingle Bells

Hour 2:

Toni West – A Christmas Tear (2023)
Matt Monro – This Is The Life
Colin Paul – Dancing With A Stranger (2022)
They Don’t Make Them Like This Anymore: Craig Douglas – Only Sixteen (1959)
Glen Miller – American Patrol (1942) (Glen Miller, presumed dead after his plane disappeared over the English Channel on this day, 1944)
Merilyn Steele – Merry Christmas Anyway (2022)
Arthur Fiedler & The Boston Pops – Stardust

Henry Mancini & His Orchestra – How Deep Is Your Love
Johnny Mathis – Crazy
Soundtrack – Pinocchio – When You Wish Upon A Star
Rusty Draper – Freight Train
Bruce Mackay – Schoey and Jess (2023)
Slim Dusty – Another Night In Broome

Hour 3:

Inge Augustina – Santa Baby (2022)
Royal Guardsmen – Snoopy’s Christmas (1967)
Barbra Streisand – Second Hand Rose (1966)
Carl Mann – Don’t Let The Stars Get In Your Eyes (1960)
Aly Cook – Southern Christmas Stars (2020)
Jade Hurley – Bed of Roses
Victor Buchino & His Orchestra – Cae Cae

Andre Kostelanetz & His Orchestra – Waltz From The Merry Widow
A Diamond Classic: Gene Pitney – 24 Hours From Tulsa (1963)
A Diamond Classic: Seekers – Waltzing Matilda (1963)
Victoria Eman – Here In Christmas Town (2023)
Ray Conniff Singers – Love Is Blue
John Williamson – A Christmas Photo

* Diamond Classics are tracks which were released on 45 rpm singles, and which were charting in Hobart, on this day 60 years ago.

** Most of the Christmas-related tracks in this edition are releases from 2022 or prior years. This is because the majority of 2023 releases arrived too late for inclusion in this playlist. I expect I would not be the only radio presenter who needs such material IN NOVEMBER, when playlists for early December are planned.

ON THIS DAY –

1957  Alice Springs, Northern Territory – In what became known as the Sundown murders, South Australian police commenced one of  the country’s greatest manhunts, for the person who murdered three people at their camp site, 186 miles (300 km) south of Alice Springs ten days previously. A suspect, Raymond Bailey, was arrested in Mt Isa, Queensland the following month, extradited to Adelaide, convicted and executed in June of the following year. 

1968  Claremont, Tasmania – A 15-year-old boy, who was trapped by a rockfall 19 metres underground in a cave known as the Devil’s Den, was rescued after more than 100 men toiled for 30 hours.  

1974  Sydney, New South Wales – Australia’s first regular FM radio broadcasts commenced on station 2MBS-FM.  The programme included Beethoven, Mozart and other classical pieces and Christmas carols.  The station now broadcasts under the callsign 2MBS Fine Music.

ODD SPOT

Paris, France – A diamond ring, valued at over $800,000 was recently reported as missing by a Malaysian businesswoman, who was a guest at the Ritz Hotel.

When employees of the hotel searched for the ring, a security guard eventually found it inside a vacuum cleaner.

As it’s owner had already left the country, the ring was passed to police for safe keeping until she could return to claim it.

Overnight stays at the Ritz range from $2,150 to $50,000. – UPI

10 December 2023

Music Unlimited and Valley Sunrise, Edition 759

Production of the Christmas Eve edition of Valley Sunrise is complete and I’m now well advanced with # 397 of Friday Morning Radio, for December 29.

During the past week I received quite a few new Christmas releases, mainly from northern hemisphere artists, unfortunately, too late for inclusion in either of my programmes leading up to Christmas.

I believe I’m not alone as a presenter in needing tracks of this nature by November, for them to have any hope of being included in a December playlist.  I may be able to use some of those in the lead-up to Christmas 2024.

There are also two other criteria for me.

Christmas tracks need to fit in the “middle-of-the-road” category, and I don’t favour those with lyrics of a frosty, snowy nature.  This is the southern hemisphere, it’s now Summer here and although there are some who will disagree with me I believe that, contrary to tradition, snow-songs are inappropriate in Australia.

This day’s playlist……

Hour 1

Annette Joy – Dublin Girl (2023)
David Rose Orchestra – Bonanza Theme (Bobby Don Blocker, alias Dan Blocker, one of the stars of the early television series Bonanza, born this day in 1928 in De Kalb, Texas, USA. Died 1972.)
Larry Cann – Tamworth Gold (2023)
Toni West – A Christmas Tear (2023)
Chad Stuart & Jeremy Clyde – A Summer Song (1964) (David Stuart Chadwick, alias Chad Stuart, born this day in 1941 in Windermere, Cumbria, England. Died 2020)
Otis Redding – Sitting On The Dock Of The Bay (1968) (Otis Redding, died this day in 1967 in Lake Monona, Wisconsin, USA, aged 26)

John Glenn – The Blue Side of Lonesome (2023)
Mike Nesmith & The First National Band – Joanne (1970) (Mike Nesmith, died this day in 2021 in Carmel Valley, California, USA, aged 78)
Jessie Che – Ghosts (2023)
Billboard To 20 of 1960 – No 13: Brothers Four – Green Fields
Brenda Lee – Rocking Around The Christmas Tree

Hour 2

Joy Adams & Gary R Farmer – Mum and Santa Two Steppin’ Round Our Christmas Tree (2023)
By Request: Kenny Rogers & Dolly Parton – You Can’t Make Old Friends
By Request: Roy Orbison – Cry Softly Lonely One
By Request: Shadows – Theme For Young Lovers
By Request: Don Williams – You’re My Best Friend
Richard Mulligan – Christmas In Carrantubber (2023)

Gordon Lightfoot – For Lovin’ Me
Roberto Delgado & His Orchestra – Disco Tropicano
Billy Vaughn & His Orchestra – Blue Moon
Victoria Eman – Christmas Spirit
By Request: Ray Conniff Singers – The Little Drummer Boy

8 December 2023

Friday Morning Radio, Edition 394

Friday, and three hours of easy listening including indie releases and memories, including 60-Year Diamond Classics;

There is a very varied playlist, including Sammy Davis Jr., Chad Morgan, Jason Carruthers, Sinead O’Connor, John Lennon and much more. Maybe a request or two;

There will be an alert for some roadworks to watch out for in the South;

Railway Round-up (when Tasmanian volunteer-operated Tourist & Heritage trains are running);

And Sky High (which planets are visible and when – cloud permitting!

This day’s playlist……

Hour 1

Toni West – A Christmas Tear (2023)
Tom Curtin & Robyn Martin – When The Rain Comes Down (2023)
Suzanne O’Boyle – Wayfaring Stranger (2023)
Sammy Davis Jr – I’ve Gotta Be Me (1968) (Sammy Davis Jr born this day in 1925 in Harlem, New York, USA. Died 1990.)
19 0 1 – Along The Road To Gundagai
Chad Morgan – You’re Getting Old

Fausto Papetti – Strangers In The Night
David Curtis – Christmas Day The First Day Of Forever (2023)
Bertie Higgins – Key Largo (Elbert Joseph Higgins, alias Bertie Higgins, born this day in 1944 in Tarpon Springs, Florida, U.S.A. Turns 79 today.)
Sisters In Country – My Heart’s Already There (2023)
A Diamond Classic: Johnny Cash – Matador (1963)
A Diamond Classic: Cliff Richard & Shadows – Don’t Talk To Him (1963)

Hour 2

Mountain Rio – Rockabilly Christmas (2023)
Bruce Mackay – Schoey and Jess (2023)
Jason Carruthers – Song For The Lonely (2023)
They Don’t Make Them Like This Anymore: Platters – Only You (1955)
James Blundell – Rainbows (James Blundell, born this day in 1964 in Stanthorpe, Queensland. Turns 59 today.)
Annette Joy – Dublin Girl (2023)

Orchestra of Sergio Rafael – Theme From Love Story
Jim Reeves – Oh What It Seemed To Be
Sinead O’Connor – Nothing Compares To You (1990) (Sinead O’Connor, born this day in Glenageary, Ireland. Died 2023.)
Slim Dusty – Indian Pacific (1977)
Isla Grant – Flying High
Mae McCoy & Her Neon Stars – Detour

Hour 3

Joy Adams & Gary R Farmer – Mum and Santa Two-Steppin’ Round The Christmas Tree (2023)
Seals And Crofts – Diamond Girl (1973)
Craig Lloyd – I Call Australia Home (2023)
Jamie Redfern – Good Morning Starshine
John Lennon – Starting Over (1980) (John Lennon, died this day in 1980 in New York, USA, aged 40)
Al Cherny & Bill Mankiss – The Clarinet Polka

Percy Faith & His Orchestra – Manha De Carnaval
A Diamond Classic: Joan Baez – We Shall Overcome (1963)
A Diamond Classic: The Singing Nun – Dominique (1963)
Marty Robbins – Devil Woman (Marty Robbins, died this day in Nashville, Tennessee USA, Aged 57)
Hein Simons – Ball Paradox
Andy Cooney – These Are My Mountains (2023)

Diamond Classics are chosen tracks which were on Top 40 charts around Australia on the day of broadcast, exactly 60 years ago.

Boston, Massachusetts – A vinyl record by Junior Walker and The All Stars was returned to a library, over 47 years late.

Staff found a vinyl record of “Anthology” by the group, which had been due back on 27 October 1976, in the return bin. The album cover contained a punch card from the Egleston Square Branch Library, from where the record was loaned.

The library said the record was no longer in its system, as no Boston Public Library branches stock vinyl records anymore.

Librarians didn’t know who had checked the album out, nor who returned it, but there would not have been any fine for the late return  – UPI

Valley Sunrise, Edition 758, 3 December 2023

In this edition of Music Unlimited with Ian MacPhee, the Comfort Zone segment will feature Kathy Mattea, an American country singer who has had 30 singles on the Billboard Country charts since 1984. Several of her albums have gone gold and platinum.

During Music Unlimited, in the Country Patch, it’s Johnny Horton and Johnny Cash;  and in Album Corner, The Living Strings. Also, more music you can understand from artists such as Gordon Lightfoot and Engelbert Humperdinck.

I’m in the studio’s Blue Seat at 7.00 with great listening in Edition 758 of Valley Sunrise, including listener requests at 8.00.

My playlist includes Perry Como, the Geoff Love Singers, Warren Kearney and Tony Christie. At 7.45 (or thereabouts) I will be doing the next in the series of Top 20 Billboard tracks of 1960.

You can look back through past Valley Sunrise and Friday Morning Radio playlists on this blog; simply scroll down.

Today’s playlist:

Hour 1:

Frank Ifield – Take Good Care Of Her (1965)
Joy Adams – Mum And Santa Two Steppin’ Round The Christmas Tree (2023)
Perry Como – Glendora (1955)
Susan Blee – Always Remember Us This Way (2023)
Ferlin Husky – Second Hand Rose
Geoff Love Singers – Unforgettable

Warren Kearney – What’s Going On In Your World (2023)
Andy Cooney – These Are My Mountains (2023)
Irish Rovers – I’m A Rover
Billboard Top 20 of 1960 – No 12: Bobby Rydell – Wild One (1960)
Mantovani – The Carousel Waltz
John Sidney – Medley~Wunderbar~Wonderful Copenhagen

Hour 2:

Dancing Ballroom Orchestra – I Need Your Love
By Request: Willie Nelson – Old Friends
By Request: Bing Crosby – White Christmas (1943)
Tornados – The Scales of Justice
Tony Christie – Train To Yesterday
Al Cherny & Bill Mankiss – Medley~Irish Washerwoman~McNamara’s Band

Percy Faith & His Orchestra – Always Something There To Remind Me
David Curtis – Christmas Day The First Day Of Forever (2023)
Terry Stafford – I’ll Touch A Star (1964)
Sandy Summers – Devil In Her Heart (2023)
Inge Augustina – Santa Babay (2022)
By Request: Connie Francis – Lipstick On Your Collar (1959)
Joe Loss & His Orchestra – Parakeet

Work will soon re-commence on redevelopment of the former New Norfolk Courthouse into TYGA-FM’s new studio (see header photo). A substantial amount of work has already been done, but there is much more “in the wings.”

The leaky roof was recently replaced, enabling the installation of air conditioning in the near future and the completion of our new studio suite. Further transmitter redevelopment is also pending, so 2024 promises to be an interesting year for us.

Have a great Sunday!

On This Day:

1950 – Taroona, Tasmania – The historic Shot Tower was opened as a tourist attraction.

1963 – The Royal Australian Navy destroyer HMAS ANZAC and the light-house supply ship Cape York rushed to the aid of a small group of Tasman Island residents who were battling a fierce fire on the rugged island’s only landing stage.

1963 – Glenorchy, Tasmania – Vandals were held responsible for a night-time explosion which wrecked a compressor in a quarry off Elliott Road. The explosion, which was heard as far away as Taroona, 40 kilometres distant, shattered windows in nearby houses and hurled debris hundreds of metres.

1 December 2023

Friday Morning Radio, Edition 393

Three hours of easy listening with indie releases and memories, including 60-Year Diamond Classics at 9.50 and 11.35;

Also on the playlist, Jade Hurley, James Last, Bette Midler, the Seekers, Shirley Bassey and much more;

A rundown on some roadworks to watch out for in the South;

Railway Round-up (when Tasmanian volunteer-operated Tourist & Heritage trains are running);

And Sky High (which planets are visible and when – assuming we get a decent break in the heavy cloud which has blanketed us for over a week!)

This edition’s playlist:

Hour 1:

David Maguire – Walk Of Life (2022)
Peggie Nora – We Don’t Talk Anymore (2022)
Jade Hurley – But I Do
S M 2 – The Judging (2023)
Bruce Woodley – Billy of Tea
Pete Fountain – Licorice Stick

James Last & His Orchestra – Nights In White Satin
Matt Monro – Yesterday [Matt Monro, born this day 1932 in Shoreditch, London, England. Died 1985.]
Lou Rawls – You’ll Never Find Another Love Like Mine (1977) [Lou Rawls, born this day 1933 in Chicago, Illinois, USA. Died 2006]
Conway Twitty – Hello Darling (1970)
60 Year Diamond Classic: Herb Alpert & Tijuana Brass – America (1963)
60 Year Diamond Classic: Bobby Bare – 500 Miles Away From Home (1963)

Hour 2:

Al Martino – Come Share The Wine
Dermot O’Hara – Sunday Morning Coming Down (2023)
Vic Franklyn – She Didn’t Even Say Goodbye (2023)
Archie Bleyer – The Rockin’ Ghost (1956)
Bette Midler – Mambo Italiano [Bette Midler born this day 1945 in Honolulu, Hawaii, turns 78 today.]
Albert Hammond – All Alone Am I

101 Strings Orchestra – Blue Tango
Renee & Renato – Terra Straniera
Gilbert O’Sullivan – Alone Again Naturally (1972) [Gilbert O’Sullivan born this day 1946 in Waterford, Ireland, turns 77 today.]
Shocking Blue – Never Marry A Railroad Man (1970]
Joy Adams & Gary R Farmer – Mum and Santa Two-Steppin’ Round Our Christmas Tree (2023)
Lance Birrell – Aussie Medley (2023)

Hour 3:

Seekers – Days Of Our Life (1968)
Brian Letton – She (2023)
Sandy Summers – Devil In Her Heart (2023)
Victoria Eman – Just An Illusion (2023)
Dave Curtis – Christmas Day The First Day Of Forever (2023)
Al Cherny & Bill Makiss – The Heel And Toe Polka

Percy Faith & His Orchestra – Something Stupid
60 Year Diamond Classic: Shirley Bassey – I Who Have Nothing (1963)
60 Year Diamond Classic: Peter Posa – The White Rabbit (196)
Hein Simons – Alpenrosen
Mae McCoy & Her Neon Stars – At Sundown (2023)
18th Century Corporation – Casino Royale

Diamond Classics are chosen tracks which were on Top 40 charts around Australia on the day of broadcast, exactly 60 years ago.

Odd Spot – November 16

British Columbia, Canada – Royal Canadian Mounted Police officers responded to a report that someone was calling for help in a ravine, in case a person had fallen down a cliff.

After investigating, the officers reported that the calls were coming from a sad goat on an adjacent farm, but that they did sound like someone calling for help.

Valley Sunrise Edition 757 26 November 2023

Today’s Playlist:

Hour 1:

Kaiden Page – This Is The Life (2023)
Larissa Tormey – I’m Gonna Be A Country Girl Again (2018)
Ray Malcolm – California Blue (2023)
Topper – Carry That Load (2023)
Robert Goulet – By The Time I Get To Phoenix [Robert Goulet, born this day in 1933, Lawrence, Massachusetts, USA. Died 2007.)
Tommy Dorsey Orchestra with Edythe Wright – The Lady Is A Tramp (1937) [Tommy Dorsey, jazz trombonist, composer and bandleader, also known as “The Sentimental Gentleman of Swing” died this day1956 in Greenwich, Connecticut, USA aged 51.]

Craig Lloyd – I Call Australia Home (2023)
Shadows – Telstar [John Rostill, bass guitar player with the Shadows, died this day 1973 in Radlett, Hertfordshire, England, aged 31.]
Sisters In Country – My Heart’s Already There (2023)
Billboard Top 20 of 1960 – No 11: Connie Francis – Everybody’s Somebody’s Fool
Roger Whittaker – Quel Monde Merveilleux

Hour 2:

Tom Curtain & Robyn Martin – When The Rain Comes Down (2023)
By Request: Ella Fitzgerald – Happy Talk
By Request: Andrews Sisters – I’ll Be With You In Apple Blossom Time
By Request: Little Patti – Paper Roses
George Hamilton IV – Canadian Pacific (1969)
By Request: Andy Williams – Theme From Love Story

By Request: Johnny Horton – Whispering Pines
Graeme Clarke – Flowers Won’t Grow In Gardens of Stone
Cat Stevens – Moon Shadow
Herb Alpert & Tijuana Brass – Up Cherry Street (1966)
Clelia Adams – Looking Forward Looking Back (2022)
Reg Owen – Happy Guitar (1963)

Friday Morning Radio Edition 392 24 November 2023

The programme started badly when a presently-unknown gremlin in the computer caused the first few tracks on the playlist to refuse point-blank to play on cue.

This is one of the worst things which can befall a radio announcer using modern broadcasting equipment and, although very unusual, it can happen without warning.

We end up with a live microphone and little else.

Think fast – take a couple of tracks from last Friday’s edition. More time needed after they finished – so, grab a CD from my briefcase and whack that on. All this time, trying to sort the issue at hand by running up the corridor to the temporary production room and re-loading the entire programme of music.

The re-load didn’t solve the problem, so more stand-in tracks were needed while I went through the procedure again. And again, that didn’t fix it – very strange! All the time, keeping the programme running and resorting to using tracks from last Friday’s edition. At least they were OK.

A couple of listeners phoned in requests in the middle of all this; the TYGA-FM sound library also wasn’t affected and they were played.

After a third re-load, the dulcet tones of Roger Whittaker, who was on this day’s playlist, came though. Life in the studio is normally much easier than that, and only the first hour of music was affected by all this.

Today’s playlist, as broadcast today (the first hour somewhat different to what was planned):

Hour 1:

Larissa Tormey – I’m Gonna Be A Country Girl Again. (This track was inadvertently left off my playlists when it was released 5 years ago. My apologies to Larissa!)
Seekers – Circle of Love
Joy Adams & Gary R Farmer – Mum and Santa Two-Steppin’ Round Our Christmas Tree (2023)
Sherbet – All Our Yesterdays
Andy Kim – Be My Baby

Bobby Russell – Go Chase Your Rainbow
By Request: Glen Dee – Especially For You
Roger Whittaker – Quel Monde Merveilleux
By Request: Jade Hurley – Down In The Riverina
Richard Clayderman – The Music Box Dancer
Mark Vincent – Forever And Ever
A Diamond Classic: New Christy Minstrels (1963)
A Diamond Classic: Tornados – Dragonfly (1963)
Sisters In Country – My Heart’s Already There (2023)

Hour 2:

Dianne Lindsay – What’s A Bush Ballad (2023)
Tom Curtin & Robyn Martin – When The Rain Comes Down (2023)
Hank Snow – The Sea Shores of Old Mexico (2023)
They Don’t Make Them Like This Anymore: Frankie Laine & Jimmy Boyd – Tell Me A Story (1953)
SM 2 – The Judging (2023)
Craig Lloyd – I Call Australia Home (2023)

101 Strings Orchestra – The Way We Were
Frank Sinatra – Come Fly With Me
Suzanne O’Toole – Wayfaring Stranger (2023)
Slim Dusty – Travelling Through
By Request: Foster & Allen – Be Nobody’s Darling But Mine
Mae McCoy & Her Neon Stars – Detour (2023)
Dave Caley – La Bamba (2023)

Hour 3:

Kelan Browne – New Way To Light Up An Old Flame (2023)
By Request: America – Horse With No Name (1972)
Stella Moon – Out Of The Dark (2023)
Beatles – Mr Moonlight (1964)
Rick Nelson & Stone Canyon Band – Suzanne On A Sunday Morning
Bill Jackson – Precious Cargo (2023)

Will Glahe & His Orchestra – The Cuckoo Waltz
A Diamond Classic: Gerry & Pacemakers – You’ll Never Walk Alone (1963)
A Diamond Classic: Sheb Wooley – Hootenanny Hoot (1963)
Tony Christie – Summer Wine
Seekers – Come The Day

Friday was Funday for a low-flying doggo this morning, as it ran across the Hobart’s Tasman Bridge during peak hour traffic.

Although the fast moving pooch occupied one traffic lane, vehicle drivers kept their distance and police officers finally detained the racing rottie at the regatta grounds.

Music Unlimited and Valley Sunrise, Edition 756, 19 November 2023

(If you are outside our reception area, the streaming link is in bold text above the header photo.)

On TYGA-FM 98.9, Music Unlimited with Ian MacPhee at 6 a.m.

Some of the artists in this edition are Olivia Newton-John, Roger Whittaker, Andre Rieu, Paul Mauriat, the Everly Brothers, amongst many more.

To contact Ian directly, you can e-mail him at [email protected]

If that’s a little difficult to read, it’s music unlimited with ian (but omit the spaces).

Ian would LOVE to hear from his Australian audience direct, and I know his executive producer, Paul Meagher keenly shares that interest.

At 7 a.m., I’m in the TYGA-FM Blue Seat with Valley Sunrise, with great listening on the playlist, through to 9 a.m., including listener requests.

In relation to requests – please, no carols or music celebrating Christmas, BEFORE December.

Today’s Valley Sunrise playlist…

Hour 1:

Seekers – The Circle of Love (1997)
Joy Adams & Gary R Farmer – Mum And Santa Two-Steppin’ Round Our Christmas Tree (2023)
Bobby Mackey – Anita You’re Dreaming (2023)
Sandy Summers – Devil In Her Heart (2023)
Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra – I’m Getting Sentimental Over You (1935)
(Born this day 1905 in Shenandoah, Pennsylvania USA, Thomas Dorsey Jr, alias Tommy Dorsey, jazz trombonist trumpeter and bandleader of the Big Band era, known as “the Sentimental Gentleman of Swing”. Died 1956.)
Bobby Russell – Go Chase Your Rainbow
(Died this day 1992 in Nicholasville, Kentucky USA, Bobby Russell, songwriter who penned many hit songs, including Little Green Apples, Honey, The Joker Went Wild, and 1432 Franklin Pike Circle Hero, which he recorded. Aged 52.)

Bebo Valdez & His Orchestra – Habana
Mel Tillis – I Can’t Stop Loving You
(Died this day 2017 in Ocala, Florida, USA, Mel Tillis, award-winning country singer and songwriter. Aged 85.)
Ainslie Allen – Don’t Wanna Be Lonely (2023)
Billboard Top 20 of 1960 – No 10: Chubby Checker – The Twist
Clint Beattie – Girls On The Avenue (1998)
Mario Como & Kay Webb Orchestra – Sweet Fruit

Hour 2:

Craig Lloyd – I Call Australia Home (2023)
By Request: Kenny Rogers – Through The Years
By Request: Vera Lynn – The White Cliffs of Dover
By Request: Johnny Horton – Whispering Pines
By Request: Brothers Four: Greenfields

Warren Kearney – What’s Going On In Your World
By Request: George Harrison – My Sweet Lord
By Request: ABBA – The Winner Takes It All
Shelley Fabares – Big Star (1963)
Norma O’Hara Murphy – Kosciusko (2023)

INADVERTENTLY OMITTED FROM TODAY’S EDITION, THE “ON THIS DAY” SEGMENT

So, here it is. On This Day in……..

1941 – In the Indian Ocean, off West Australia: The battle took place between HMAS Sydney and the German cruise Kormoran. This resulted in the destruction of both vessels, the loss of all 645 crew aboard HMAS Sydney and 81 of the 399 crew of the Kormoran. The locations of both wrecks were a mystery until 2008, when they were discovered 2,560 metres below the surface.

1963 – Canberra, Australian Capital Territory: The Director of Posts and Telegraphs (Mr Gilson) said that transmissions from the ABC radio station 7ZR in Hobart were causing interference with another station in New Zealand, which used the same frequency. Modifications were to be made to the 7ZR transmitter to reduce the strength of the signal radiated in the direction of New Zealand.

1965 – Bellerive, Tasmania: A crowd of over 5,000 flocked to the new Rosny Regional Shopping Centre (now much enlarged and known as Eastlands) upon it’s opening. Police had their biggest traffic headache for many years, with vehicles being directed to park in a nearby paddock.

1969 – Apollo 12 astronauts Charles Conrad and Alan Bean landed on the Oceanus Procellarum (Ocean of Storms) becoming the third and fourth humans to walk on the Moon.

A Pair of Lost Australians….

Employees at a veterinary clinic in Essex, England, were skeptical when a neighbour told them that two ostriches were wandering in the area.

The manager, Nicola Watson, said they looked around, but saw none.

But the next day, the two birds, which were identified as Australian emus – not ostriches – were found in the clinic’s car park.

The owner of the emus was traced and they were returned.

Friday Morning Radio, Edition 391, 17 November 2023

Today’s playlist:

Hour 1:

Tom Jones – She’s A Lady (1971)
Tony Christie – I Did What I Did For Maria (1971)
Peter Allen – Tenterfield Saddler (1979)
Toni West – The Other Half Of Me (2023)
Larry Cann – Tamworth Gold (2023)
By Request: Bee Gees – Massachusetts (1967)
Al Cerny & Bill Mankiss – Bird Dance

Martin Bottcher & His Orchestra – What A Wonderful World
Gordon Lightfoot – Carefree Highway (Gordon Lightfoot, born this day 1938 in Orillia, Ontario, Canada. Died 1 May 2023)
Gail Barnard – Ride (2023)
Foster & Allen – Sea of Heartbreak
60 Year Diamond Classic: Nino Tempo & April Stevens – Deep Purple (1963)
60 Year Diamond Classic: Helen Shapiro – Look Who It Is (1963)
Jade Hurley – Penny Arcade

Hour 2:

Daniel O’Donnell – Do What You Do Do Well
Slim Dusty – Australia Is His Name
Brian Letton – She (2023)
They Don’t Make Them Like This Anymore: Sheb Wooley – The Purple People Eater (1958)
The Byrds – Ballad of the Easy Rider (1969) (Gene Clark, singer-songwriter and founding member of the Byrds, born this day in 1944 in Tipton, Missouri, USA. Died 1991.)
Francoise Hardy – Toutes Les Garcons Et Les Filles

European Show Band – Red Roses For A Blue Lady
Marion Waldron – Love Is A Harvest (2023)
Don Gibson – There Goes My Everything (Don Gibson, country singer-songwriter who had a string of hits from the late 1950s to the 1970s, died this day 2003 in Nashville, Tennessee, USA, aged 75)
Bernie Grass – Rhythm Of The Rail (2021)
Renee & Renato – Blue Serenade
Chamaco Dominguez Orchestra – Meditation

Hour 3:

Sean Brennan – The Misty Rolling Midlands (2023)
Anne Kirkpatrick – Safe In The Arms of Love (2023)
Charlie Rich – The Most Beautiful Girl (1974)
Bachelors – In The Chapel In The Moonlight (1965)
Warren Kearney – What’s Going On In Your World (2023)
Allan Caswell – All Those Years Ago (2023)
Pearls Players – Picnic At Hanging Rock

Barry Manilow – Moonlight Serenade
60 Year Diamond Classic: Al Martino – Living A Lie (1963)
60 Year Diamond Classic: Bobby Bare – 500 Miles Away From Home (1963)
Andre Rieu – Strauss And Co
Hein Simons – Josie
Seekers – Well Well Well

On This Day

1869 Egypt – The Suez Canal, linking the Mediterranean Sea with the Red Sea, was opened.

Co-incidentally, in 1913 in Panama, the first ship, a steamship named Louise, passed through the Panama Canal.

And in 1970,

The Soviet Union landed Lunokhod 1 on the Moon’s Mare Imbrium (Sea of Rains) from the orbiting Luna 17 spacecraft. This was the first roving remote-controlled robot to land on another world.

Resembling a toilet pan on eight independently operated wheels, Lunokhod 1 was fitted with a variety of scientific equipment. It travelled over 10½ kilometres on the Moon at a top speed of 100 metres an hour, with it’s four television cameras returning over 20,000 images and 206 high-resolution panoramas.

Lunokhod 1 operated for 11 months, instead of the planned three months. Contact was lost on 14 September 1971 and attempts to re-establish contact ceased on 4 October 1971.

Music Unlimited and Valley Sunrise, Edition 755, 12 November 2023

Today’s pic is of Cambridge, as seen from Mt Rumney. Having noticed a new air navigation beacon operating on a hilltop in the Meehan Range, I decided to re-visit Mt Rumney, where a similar beacon has been in use for longer than I can remember.

It’s been 50 years since I was last at Mt Rumney, BUT I don’t recommend the drive for all and sundry. The road was built as a 1930s Depression-era project and the last couple of kilometres is so narrow that, in places, two opposing vehicles cannot pass. Fortunately, I was alone in the vicinity at the time.

There is plenty of evidence of other visitations, as all the buildings associated with air navigation and communication equipment are heavily daubed and splashed with senseless spray paint.

At 6.00 a.m. AEDT Sunday morning on TYGA-FM, 98.9 and on-line ( www.tygafm.org.au/listen-live/ ), Music Unlimited with Ian MacPhee.

In this edition, Ian’s playlist includes Frank Sinatra, Neil Sedaka, Il Divo, Stevie Wonder and much more, whilst in the Comfort Zone segment, Ireland’s Daniel O’Donnell; and in Country Patch, Jim Reeves.

Music Unlimited is a one-hour programme produced in Studio B, Seaside FM, Halifax, Nova Scotia for broadcast on that station, as well as CFTA Radio Tantramar in Amherst, Nova Scotia.

It’s presenter, Ian MacPhee and producer, Paul Meagher are presenters at Seaside FM, with over 50 years of broadcasting experience. In retirement, they take their turns at the mike on this community station.

Post-production is by Ron Bickle, who also has extensive broadcasting experience which he now devotes to community radio, through Radio Tantramar.

Ron regularly despatches each recorded edition of Music Unlimited to me, for broadcast on TYGA-FM 98.9.

Edition 755 of Valley Sunrise at 7.00, easy listening and memories with Jo Stafford, Booker T, Lance Birrell, Jackie Trent and others, with listener requests after 8.00.

Today’s Valley Sunrise playlist:

Hour 1:

Sean Brennan – The Misty Rolling Midlands (2023)
Dave Caley – La Bamba (2023)
Ainslie Allen – Don’t Wanna Be Lonely (2023)
Frank Sinatra & Nelson Riddle Orchestra – Sunday
Jo Stafford with Paul Weston & His Orchestra – Try To Remember
(Born this day 1917, Coalinga, California, U.S.A. – Jo Stafford, award-winning singer and actress whose career spanned 50 years from the 1930s through to the 1980s. Died 2008.)
Brian Hyland – Ginny Come Lately (1962)
(Born this day 1943, Queens, New York, U.S.A. – Brian Hyland, successful 1960s pop singer. Turns 80 today.)

Otto Bredl & Jiggs Whigham – Goody Goody
Booker T & MGs – Time Is Tight (1969)
(Born this day 1944, Memphis, Tennessee, U.S.A. – Booker Taliaferro Jones Jr, alias Booker of Booker T & the MGs, musician and songwriter. Turns 79.)
Lance Birrell – The Battle of Kokoda (2018)
Chubby Checker – The Twist (No 10 of the Top 20 Billboard Tracks, 1960)
Jackie Trent & Tony Hatch – Thank You For Loving Me (1968)
Bill Goodall – Wheels (2023)

Hour 2:

Jade Hurley – Do Wah Diddy Diddy
By Request: Beatles – P S I Love You
By Request: Roy Orbison – Blue Angel
By Request: Stanley Sokol & Polkateers – Beer Barrel Polka
Slim Dusty – Travelling Through
By Request: – Bob Lind – Elusive Butterfly

S M 2 – The Judging (2023)
Joe Diamond – How Much Rain Can One Man Stand (2023)
Henry Mancini Orchestra & Chorus – Swinging On A Star
Brian Letton – She (2023)
Acoustic Bloom – Carolina In the Fall (2023)
Bimbo Jet – El Bimbo

ON THIS DAY – 12 November

1894  –  Stanwell Park, New South Wales – In a pioneering aeronautical experiment, four box kites lifted Lawrence Hargreave 5 metres from the ground

1980  –   The space probe Voyager 1 made its closest approach to the planet Saturn, took the first images of its rings and studied Saturn’s moon, Titan.  Voyager 1 is still communicating with Earth after more than 46 years, and is expected to continue until 2025, by which time it’s generators will no longer be able to supply sufficient electrical current.  It is now the furthest man made object from Earth.

2003  –  Shanghai, China – Shanghai Transrapid set a new world speed record for commercial railway systems of 501 kilometres per hour (311 mph) with a magnetic levitation train which operates between Shanghai International Airport and Pudong.  The trains take a minimum of 7½ minutes to cover 30 kilometres.

Friday Mornings with Ray, Edition 390, 10 November 2023

Whenever I see the words “Modern music is rubbish” I reply, “You’re not listening to the right radio station.”

Most mainstream radio stations aim for the “heavy” market. My aim is to provide a real alternative.

In Edition 390 of Friday Morning Radio, three hours of great easy listening from Australian artists and overseas,

regular weather updates, Railway Round-up (when Tasmanian volunteer-operated Tourist & Heritage trains are running);

and Sky High (which planets are visible and when).

From 9 a.m. ~ Midday AEDT on TYGA-FM 98.9, the Derwent Valley’s own radio station.

Today’s playlist:

Hour 1:

Dave Caley – La Bamba (2023)
Rene Hage – Candybar Kenny (2023
Michael Farrell & Rosalind Clare – Time’s A’Wasting (2023)
David Curtis – Christmas Day The First Day of Forever (2023)
Norma O’Hara Murphy – Kosciusko (2023)
Kyu Sakamoto – Sukiyaki (1963)
Lynchburg – La Chica Bella (2022)

Paul Mauriat & His Orchestra – Minuetto
Billy May & His Orchestra – Theme From A Summer Place
(Born this day 1916, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania – Billy May, composer, trumpeter and band leader. Died 2004.)
Craig Lloyd – I Call Australia Home (2023)
Kylie Adams-Collier – Montevideo Maru 1942 (2018)
60 Year Diamond Classic: Jimmy Gilmer – Sugar Shack (1963)
60 Year Diamond Classic: Skeeter Davis – I Can’t Stay Mad At You (1963)
Col Joye – All Shook Up (1964)

Hour 2:

Desi Egan – I Wanna Stay With You (2023)
Don Smythe – Daddy’s In Kandaha (2020)
Jade Hurley – Georgie
They Don’t Make Them Like This Anymore: Max Bygraves – Gilly Gilly Ostenfeffer (Katzenellenbogen By The Sea) (1954)
Donna Fargo – The Happiest Girl In The Whole U S A (1972)
(Born this day 1945, Airey, North Carolina, U S A – Yvonne Vaughan, alias Donna Fargo, singer-songwriter. Turns 78 today.)
S M 2 – The Judging (2023)
Larry Cunningham – Leitrim

European Show Band – Moulin Rouge Theme
Tom Preacher – The Long Drive Home (2023)
Roger Nicholas Chorale – Don’t Go Breaking My Heart
By Request: Foster & Allan – The Rose of Mooncoin
Jim Croce – The Railroad Song
Sarina Haggarty – Keep Me Awake (2023)

Hour 3:

Craig Giles – Picture On The Mantle (2017)
Vanessa Bourne – Lord I Hope This Day Is Good (2023)
The 23x – My Kind Of Girl (2023)
Pepe Jaramillo & His Latin American Rhythm – Good Morning Starshine
Roger Whittaker – Feelings
Cliff Richard – Quando Quando Quando

Joel Herron & His Orchestra – Look For The Silver Lining
60 Year Diamond Classic: Bob Luman & Sue Thompson – I Like Your Kind Of Love (1963)
60 Year Diamond Classic: Charlie Drake – I’ve Lost The End Of My Yodel (1963)
Dean Martin – In The Chapel In The Moonlight
Billy Vaughn & His Orchestra – Roses Are Red
101 Strings – St Tropez In June

ON THIS DAY – 10 November

1958 Lake Coniston, England – Speed ace Donald Campbell increased his water speed record from 239 m.p.h. (384 km/h) to 248.62 m.p.h. (400 km/h) in his hydroplane Bluebird. 

1964 Canberra, Australian Capital Territory – Prime Minister Robert Menzies announced the reintroduction of conscription.

1975 The freighter ship Edmund Fitzgerald sank suddenly during a storm on Lake Superior, one of the great lakes bordering the U.S.A. and Canada, with the loss of all 29 crew on board.

1979 Mississauga, Ontario, Canada – A 106-waggon Canadian Pacific freight train carrying explosives and poisonous chemicals, derailed, causing a massive explosion and the largest peacetime evacuation in Canadian history

1980 The NASA space probe Voyager 1 started its closest approach to Saturn, when it flew within 77,000 miles of the planet’s cloud-tops, returning the first high resolution images of the planet.