► LOOKING at events on 23 January;

In 1931, in Canberra, Sir Isaac Isaacs was sworn in as Governor-General of Australia, becoming the first Australian-born person to hold the position.  His appointment displeased the Leader of the Opposition, and the British Government, on account of his nationality.

Moving forward to 1956, and in Woodville, South Australia, the 250,000th Holden car was built. It was one of the FJ series, which were replaced by the all-new FE series, just six months later. 

And in 1960 Jacques Piccard and Don Walsh, inside the bathyscape Trieste, descended 10,916 metres into the Marianas Trench, in the western Pacific ocean off the Marianas Islands.  The Marianas Trench is the deepest part of any ocean on Earth, and extends 2,550 kilometres and has an average width of 69 kilometres.

In 1970, the first Boeing 747 Jumbo to cross the Atlantic arrived at London’s Heathrow airport.

In 1968 a U.S. spy ship, the USS Pueblo, was seized by North Korean forces, around 28 km from the coast.  North Korea claimed the vessel was in their territorial waters, but this was denied by the U S Government.  Pueblo remains in Pyongyang, where it is used as a museum ship.

1986, and in Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.A.  The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inducted its first members:  Little Richard, Chuck Berry, James Brown, Ray Charles, Fats Domino, the Everly Brothers, Buddy Holly, Jerry Lee Lewis and Elvis Presley.

2003, and the final communication took place between Earth and Pioneer 10, the first Earthly spacecraft to travel through the asteroid belt and closely observe the planet Jupiter, which it passed on December 3, 1973.  At the time of the final communication, Pioneer 10 was 12 billion kilometres from Earth and heading towards the star Aldebaran, ETA in 2 million years time.

► ARRIVALS AND DEPARTURES ON THIS DATE

Joe Dowell, was born in 1940 in Bloomington, Indiana, U.S.A.  He was a pop singer of the early 1960s whose first release was Wooden Heart, which went to No 1 on the Billboard chart in 1961, selling over a million copies and earning a gold disc.  He died in 2016.

Barry Stanton was born in 1941 in London, England.  He became an Australian rock and roll musician, who appeared on early teen programmes on television, such as Bandstand and Six O’Clock Rock.  His first success was Don’t Let Go in 1960.  Although popular within Australia, Stanton had little international success and eventually gave up his recording career to become an electrician.  He died in 2018.

Vic Urick, alias Vic Ames, died in 1978 in Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.A., aged 52.  He was a member of the Ames Brothers singing quartet, which was very popular in the 1950s, with million selling hits such as The Naughty Lady of Shady Lane, You You You, Tammy and Melodie D’Amour. 

Horst Wende, alias Roberto Delgado, died in 1976 in Hamburg, Germany at the age of 77.  He was a bandleader, arranger and composer, part of the wave of easy listening artists popular in the 1960s and 1970s.

Gordon Fitzgerald Kaye died in 2017 in Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, England, aged. 75.  He was a comic actor of Maltese descent, best known for playing Rene Artois in the English TV comedy ‘Allo ‘Allo  

Also in 2017, Bobby Freeman died in San Francisco, California, U.S.A. aged 76.  He was a soul singer, songwriter, and record producer best known for his 1958 hit Do You Want To Dance? 

Patricia Ann Ruth Noble alias Patsy Ann Noble, alias Trisha Noble, died this day in 2021, aged 76.  She was a singer and actress who rose to fame as a teenager in the early 1960s and frequently appeared on Brian Henderson’s Bandstand.  She was signed to the HMV label where she released her first single Like I’m In Love b/w I Love You So Much It Hurts in 1960. 

Today’s photo – Stanley, in the far northwest of Tasmania

Today’s Playlist

TRACK	RELEASE YEAR	PLAY TIME	PREVIOUS PLAYS	LAST PLAYED
Robert Ross – People Like Me	2025	09:05	2	14/12/2025
70s Classic    Barry Manilow – Can’t Smile Without You	1978	09:11	10	29/6/2025
Franky B and the Shadowriders – Soul Limbo	2025	09:14	3	4/1/2026
Comfort Zone –Well Known Artists and Songs + Brothers Four – Girl		09:19	0
+ Simon May Orchestra & Marti Webb – Always There		09:22	5	20/4/2024
Victoria Eman – Lost My Heart At Christmas	2025	09:26	1	16/1/2026
Billy May & His Orchestra – Theme From A Summer Place		09:32	9	10/11/2023
Joe Dowell – Wooden Heart	1961	09:36	4	7/4/2024
Barry Stanton – Beggin’ On My Knees	1961	09:38	0
For a Listener Nat King Cole – Looking Back	1958	09:43	1	15/1/2021
Diamond Classic – Charting on this day 1966 Al Martino – What Now My Love	1966	09:45	6	8/6/2025
Diamond Classic – Charting on this day 1966 Herman’s Hermits – A Must To Avoid	1966	09:49	7	26/12/2025
Shaza Leigh – Rodeos To Rainbows		09:52	3	5/12/2025
Jason Owen – Thank God I’m A Country Boy		09:56	7	2/11/2025
Ami Leigh – Wait & See	2025	10:05	1	7/12/2025
Watling & Bates with Shelly Jones Band – West Out Of Redrock	2025	10:10	2	11/1/2026
Mandy Storm – Locked My Heart In Prison	2025	10:13	1	9/1/2026
Vintage Vinyl   Ames Brothers – The Naughty Lady Of Shady Lane	1954	10:19	2	26/4/2024
Ben Walker – Be Different	2025	10:22	2	11/1/2026
Chet Atkins – Freight Train		10:27	6	4/7/2025
Roberto Delgado & His Orchestra – Save Your Kisses For Me		10:31	2	19/7/2024
Mike Sammes Singers – Red Sails In The Sunset		10:36	0
Clare Sisters – Bei Mir Bist Du Schon		10:39	0
70s Classic    Samantha Sang – Emotions	1978	10:44	8	20/4/2025
Dana – It’s Gonna Be A Cold Cold Christmas		10:49	0
John Leyton – Don’t Let Her Go Away		10:54	0
Patsy Ann Noble – Better Late Than Never		10:57	0
Col Millington – Travelling Man	2017	11:05	2	1/10/2023
Country Road- Old style country songs + Chris Strohfeld – At Home In The Mountains	2018	11:10	5	11/3/2025
+ Trevor Knight – I Love A Sunburnt Country		11:13	4	26/1/2024
For a Listener Lonnie Lee – Starlight Starbright	1960	11:19	10	12/4/2024
Vintage Vinyl    Bobby Freeman – Do You Wanna Dance	1958	11:26	1	13/6/2021
Anne Murray – Bring Back The Love		11:30	0
David Whitaker Orchestra – The Boxer		11:35	5	3/3/2023
Diamond Classic – Charting on this day 1966 P J Proby – Maria	1965	11:39	2	6/11/2020
Diamond Classic – Charting on this day 1966 Normie Rowe – Shakin’ All Over	1965	11:43	3	1/2/2019
Daniel O’Donnell – A Song For The World		11:48	0
Tom Pickering & Pierce Pickering Ragtime Five – Just Imagine		11:51	2	7/10/2022

► LOOKING at events on 18 January;

On this day in 1788, the first ships of the First Fleet, carrying over 700 convicts from England, arrived at Botany Bay.

In 1911, in San Francisco, California, U.S.A., aviator Eugene B Ely landed on the deck of the U.S.S. Pennsylvania as it was moored in the harbour, marking the first time an aircraft landed on a ship.

In 1919, in Cricklewood, London, England,  Walter Owen Bentley founded Bentley Motors Limited, the English luxury car manufacturer.  The company is now a wholly-owned subsidiary of Germany’s Volkswagen.

In New Guinea, 1951, over 4,000 lives were lost, 5,000 were rendered homeless, when 30 villages were obliterated by an eruption of Mt Lamington, which had previously never been recognised as a volcano.

In 1955, bush fires raged in many parts of Tasmania, including the New Norfolk district, where the historic Bush Inn narrowly escaped destruction. 

In 1977 in Granville, New South Wales, 83 lives were lost Australia’s worst railway disaster, in which an express train derailed and struck a stanchion supporting a road overpass, causing it to collapse.

1998 in Maroubra, New South Wales,  Lifesaver Bernard Kelly died from a coronary after taking part in a mass rescue of a junior soccer team, who had been swimming in an area clearly marked as dangerous.  Police and fellow life savers later expressed anger that people continued to ignore directions to swim in the safety zone between the flags.

► ARRIVALS AND DEPARTURES ON THIS DAY

BORN:  Norvell Hardy, alias Oliver Hardy, in 1892 in Harlem, Georgia, U.S.A.   He was comic actor famous as half of the Laurel and Hardy classic duo, which started during the silent film era in 1926, and lasted over 31 years till his death in 1957.

BORN:  Gladys Hermiston-Hooper, in 1903 in Dulwich, London, England.  She lived to become a super-centenarian, and was the oldest living person in the United Kingdom at the time of her death in 2016, aged 113. 

BORN:  Archibald Alexander Leach alias Cary Grant, in 1904 in Horfield, Bristol, England.  As an actor, he was named the second Greatest Male Star of all Time by the American Film Institute. He died in 1986.

BORN:  David Daniel Kaminsky alias Danny Kaye in 1913 in Brooklyn, New York, U.S.A.  He was an actor, singer, dancer, and comedian. He died in 1987.

BORN:  Bobby Goldsboro, was born in 1941 in Marianna, Florida U.S.A.  He is a country and pop singer-songwriter who had a string of hits from 1962 to 1982, including 5 releases which achieved sales of over one million each.

DIED:  Carl Betz, in 1978 in  Los Angeles, California, U.S.A., aged 56.   He was a film and television actor best remembered for his role as Dr. Alex Stone in the sitcom The Donna Reed Show, between 1958 and 1966.
 Between 1967 and 1969, he portrayed defence attorney Clinton Judd in the drama Judd For The Defence,

DIED:  Wilfrid Brambell, in 1985 in Westminster, London, England, aged 72.  He was an Irish actor best known for his role in the British television sitcom Steptoe And Son. He also appeared with the Beatles in their film A Hard Day’s Night, in which he portrayed Paul McCartney’s  grandfather. 

DIED:  James Frederick Rodgers alias Jimmie Rodgers, in 2021 in Palm Desert, California, U.S.A., aged 87.  He was a singer and composer famed  for his late 50s/early 60s hits, such as Honeycomb, Kisses Sweeter Than Wine, Oh Oh I’m Falling In Love Again, Secretly, and Bim Bom Bey.
He has no connection to a country singer of the same name who, by co-incidence, died the same year he was born. 

Today’s Photo: Arthur Square, New Norfolk

Today’s Playlist :

TRACK	RELEASE YEAR	TIME	PREVIOUS PLAYS	LAST PLAYED
Andy Martin – Paint Me Blue	2025	06:06	1	9/1/2026
John Mullan – Summertime Blues	2025	06:11	2	19/12/2025
Toni West – Perfect Christmas Party	2025	06:14	1	5/12/2025
Grace Rivera – Eres Tu		06:19	2	2/11/2025
Johnny Mathis – Make The World Go Away		06:21	1	7/3/2025
For A Listener: Beatles – Blackbird		06:25	3	27/4/2025
Natalie Cole – That Sunday That Summer		06:28	3	6/4/2025
Pete Moore & His Orchestra – The Most Beautiful Girl		06:34	2	20/10/2023
Vintage Vinyl    Danny Kaye – The Best Things Happen While You’re Dancing		06:40	0
Bobby Goldsboro – By The Time I Get To Phoenix		06:42	3	19/1/2024
Guy Mitchell – Feet Up	1952	06:47	4	10/5/2024
Ray Malcolm – My Happiness	2025	06:51	2	7/12/2025
Walk Don’t Run – I Can Hear That Train	2025	06:55	3	12/12/2025
Bohemian Rogue – Trouble in Paradise	2025	07:05	3	21/11/2025
COUNTRY ROAD +Slim Dusty – A Girl From The Land		07:10	11	16/1/2026
+John Broomhall – Wild And Free		07:14	6	4/10/2024
For A Listener: Neil Diamond – Beautiful Noise		07:21	10	24/1/2025
Jimmie Rodgers – The World I Used To Know	1964	07:26	11	12/7/2024
Ron Grainer Orchestra – Steptoe And Son Theme		07:29	0
Henry Mancini His Piano & Orchestra – Send In The Clowns		07:34	0
Vintage Vinyl    Ames Brothers – Love Is A Many Splendoured Thing	1955	07:39	1	18/10/2013
Johnny Mathis – We Must Be Lovin’ Right		07:42	0
Joy Adams – But Wait There’s More		07:47	1	12/12/2025
Jason Owen – Islands in the Stream	2013	07:49	11	9/3/2025
J R Williams – Australia	2025	07:54	4	6/6/2025
Royal Australian Navy Band – Song of Australia		07:58	7	7/11/2025
Blue Echoes – Beautiful Sunday	1979	08:05	9	14/4/2023
COMFORT ZONE + Ollie Austin – Eighteen Yellow Roses		08:10	4	13/12/2024
+ Max Bygraves – What A Wonderful World		08:13	4	31/8/2025
Steve Bonham And The Long Road – Western Requiem		08:21	0
Brent Duncan – My Best Life	2025	08:30	1	24/10/2025
Romantic Strings Orchestra – Tie A Yellow Ribbon		08:36	0
Anthony Baxter & Peggy Gilchrist – Vincent	2025	08:39	3	11/1/2026
Sisters In Country – Old Heart	2025	08:43	2	11/1/2026
Vintage Vinyl    Monotones – Book Of Love	1958	08:49	0
Teddy Parker & Henry Mayer’s Chorus & Orchestra – Nachtexpress Nach St Tropez		08:52	6	28/5/2021
Al Caiola – You Don’t Know Me		08:54	2	24/10/2025

► LOOKING at events on 16 January;

On this day in 1957  in Liverpool, England, the Cavern Club opened.  This was the venue where, on  9 November 1961, music entrepreneur Brian Epstein first saw The Beatles performing,   

In 1965, the new Empress of Australia RO-RO ferry made its first voyage from Sydney to Hobart, resuming a sea link which had been abandoned over 20 years previously. 

In 1969,  two cosmonauts spacewalked from Soyuz 5 to Soyuz 4 while the two craft were docked together.  This was the first time a docking of two manned spacecraft or crew transfer took place, and it remains the only time when an external transfer was made, all subsequent crew exchanges having been made internally.
Soyuz 4 later returned to Earth and had a soft landing, whilst Soyuz 5, crewed only by Commander Boris Volynov, made a harder than intended landing some distance from its planned target site, due to a malfunction.  Volynov abandoned the capsule and walked several kilometres in -36C temperatures to a farmhouse to await rescue. 

In 1981 the Space Shuttle Columbia made its maiden flight, the first by a re-usable spacecraft.  And on this day in 2003 Columbia took off from Cape Canaveral on its final, fateful mission.  It disintegrated during re-entry to Earth’s atmosphere 16 days later, with the loss of all crew.

► ARRIVALS AND DEPARTURES

Lorraine Bayly was born on this day in 1937 in Narrandera, New South Wales.  She is an actress best known for her portrayal of Grace Sullivan, in the television drama The Sullivans, which was centred on the life of an Australian family during World War 2.
 She was also a presenter on the children’s programme Play School from 1966 till 1978, and has appeared in Neighbours and the films Fatty Finn and The Man From Snowy River.

Ronnie Milsap was born on this day in 1946 in Robbinsville, North Carolina, U.S.A.  He is a singer and songwriter, blinded since birth by a congenital disorder.  Milsap is one of the most successful and versatile country crossover singers, appealing to both country and pop music markets with hits which incorporated pop, rhythm and blues and rock and roll 

Duncan Bell, was born on this day in 1955 in Glasgow, Scotland.  He is an actor who appeared in several English television series, but is best known as Sergeant Dennis Merton in the TV drama  Heartbeat .

No departures noted for this date.

Today’s photo – Storm clouds over the Derwent River and Meehan Range, Tasmania.

Today’s Playlist

This week, introducing the new Comfort Zone, and Country Road segments.
The Comfort Zone is a double-play of familiar artists, and/or familiar music. The Country Road likewise, of older-style country music.

Both these will also be included in the playlists for Valley Sunrise.

TRACK	RELEASE YEAR	PLAY TIME	PREVIOUS PLAYS	LAST PLAYED
Carol Stevens – My Dream Lover	2025	09:05	0
70s Classic    Leif Garrett – Runaround Sue	1977	09:12	8	20/4/2025
Lee Ann Kelly – It Was Mine	2025	09:14	1	28/12/2025
Comfort Zone –Well Known Artists and Songs +Seekers – The Last Thing On My Mind		09:20	11	17/10/2025
+Percy Faith Orchestra & Chorus – Leaving On A Jet Plane	1967	09:23	2	24/8/2018
Ray Lani – If It Were Not For You	2025	09:28	0
Pete Moore & His Orchestra – Islands In The Stream		09:33	1	10/8/2025
Ronnie Milsap – Daydreams About Night Things		09:38	8	7/7/2023
Elisabeth Grey – Mrs Grey	2025	09:42	0
For a Listener Louis Armstrong – Blueberry Hill	1949	09:46	1	4/8/2023
Diamond Classic – Charting on this day 1966 Manfred Mann – Hi Lili Hi Lo	1965	09:50	2	29/10/2017
Diamond Classic – Charting on this day 1966 Toys – A Lovers Concerto	1965	09:53	13	31/10/2025
Orchester Hugo Strasser – Pariser Tango		09:57	1	25/7/2025
Christa Fartek  – If I Could	2025	10:05	2	2/12/2025
Lindsay Waddington – Rush Hour	2025	10:10	3	21/11/2025
Walk Don ‘t Run – Backroads and Moonshine	2025	10:13	1	14/12/2025
For a Listener Johnny Horton – When It’s Springtime In Alaska		10:21	10	29/6/2025
Vintage Vinyl   Diana Coupland – A Guy Is A Guy	1952	10:25	6	5/3/2023
Bing Crosby – Morgen		10:29	2	9/7/2023
Romantic Strings Orchestra (Pierre Belmonde, Pan Flute) – Sailing		10:34	0
Paul Ricketts – I’m Just Like You	2025	10:39	2	11/1/2026
Victoria Eman – Lost My Heart At Christmas	2025	10:43	0
70s Classic    Carly Simon – Nobody Does it Better	1977	10:48	4	20/4/2025
Bluestone – Road To Nowhere	2025	10:53	0
Michael Russ – Trumpet Hearts	2025	10:56	0
Faron Young – Hello Walls		11:05	7	20/6/2025
Country Road- Old style country songs +Slim Dusty – A Girl From The Land	1988	11:09	10	24/2/2023
+Alex Hood – Flash Jack From Gundagai		11:13	1	30/6/2023
For a Listener Patrizio Buanne – A Man Without Love		11:17	4	22/5/2020
Vintage Vinyl    Peggy Lee, Mel Torme & Mellomen – The Old Master Painter	1950	11:26	3	19/5/2024
Australian National Concert Orchestra – Truly		11:32	0
Diamond Classic – Charting on this day 1966 Gene Pitney – Princess In Rags	1965	11:36	0
Diamond Classic – Charting on this day 1966 Seekers – Well Well Well	1965	11:39	7	23/3/2025
Joe Reisman & His Orchestra – The Look Of Love		11:42	1	28/5/2023
John Denver – Jenny Dreamed Of Trains		11:45	0
Troy Cassar-Daley – Something About Trains		11:50	5	2/2/2024
Leroy Anderson Orchestra – The Typewriter		11:54	14	18/5/2025

► LOOKING at events on 11 January;

On this day in 1917 in  Kingsland, now Lyndhurst, New Jersey, U.S.A.,  fire triggered a series of explosions at a munitions factory, which was supplying Russian and English forces.  Although thousands of highly explosive shells detonated in four hours, no lives were lost amongst the 1,400 employees.
The credit for this was given to telephone switchboard operator Louise “Tessie” McNamara, who stayed inside to broadcast warnings to everyone to “Get out or go up.”
A legal case based on allegations of sabotage by a German agent was launched in 1934, but these were never proven.  Nevertheless, Germany paid $50 million in reparations to the U.S.A. during the 1950s.

In 1949, Los Angeles, California recorded it’s first snowfall.

In 1961, in London, England, the British Railways management ordered an inquiry into why the Royal Train broke down, delaying the Queen for an hour.

In 1962, in Peru, an avalanche on Mt Huascaran caused the loss of an estimated 4,000 lives

In 1986 In Brisbane, Queensland, the Gateway Bridge, spanning the mouth of the Brisbane River, was officially opened. As part of the opening festivities of the 1,627 metre long bridge, 200,000 people crossed by foot.

► ARRIVALS AND DEPARTURES

Don Cherry, was born on this day in 1924 in Wichita Falls, Texas, U.S.A. –  He was a pop singer best known for his 1955 hit, Band of Gold.  He died in 1995.

Daryl Braithwaite, was born on this day in 1949 in Melbourne, Victoria.  He was one time lead vocalist of the pop group Sherbet.  Braithwaite has also had a successful solo career, with 15 singles in the Australian top 40, including the No. 1 hit You’re My World.

No departures noted for this date.

Today’s Photo – Horseshoe Falls, Mt Field National Park, Tasmania

Today’s Playlist :

TRACK	RELEASE YEAR	TIME	PREVIOUS PLAYS	LAST PLAYED
Watling & Bates with Shelly Jones Band – West Out Of Redrock	2025	06:06	1	2/1/2026
Charting this day 1972 Fortunes – Freedom Come Freedom Go	1972	06:11	4	19/1/2018
Charting this day 1972 John Lennon – Imagine	1972	06:15	9	25/10/2019
Ben Walker – Be Different	2025	06:19	1	26/12/2025
Daniel O’Donnell – I Love You Because		06:24	0
For A Listener: Kenny Rogers & Dolly Parton – You Can’t Make Old Friends		06:28	2	10/12/2023
Capitol Symphony Orchestra – English Country Garden		06:34	2	10/1/2025
Vintage Vinyl    Don Cherry – Wild Cherry	1956	06:39	4	10/1/2014
John Denver – Freight Train Boogie~Choo Choo Ch’boogie		06:41	0
Daryl Braithwaite – You’re My World	1974	06:47	3	29/6/2025
Esther van Kommer – Christmas is Everything	2025	06:51	1	2/1/2026
Sisters In Country – Old Heart	2025	06:55	1	26/12/2025
Karl Heinz Kaestel – Jackson		06:58	9	13/1/2023
Seamog Buckley – Last Of A Dying Breed	2025	07:05	0
Charting this day 1972 Benny Hill – Ernie	1972	07:10	8	12/1/2025
Charting this day 1972 Cher – Gypsies Tramps And Thieves	1972	07:14	7	30/11/2025
For A Listener: Patrizio Buanne – On An Evening In Roma		07:18	3	6/8/2021
Cheryl Hann-Woodlock – I Still Care	2025	07:24	0
Roger Whittaker – Morning Please Don’t Come		07:27	0
Ferrante & Teicher – Tchaikovsky Concerto		07:33	0
Vintage Vinyl    Eartha Kitt – Let’s Do It	1956	07:37	2	17/1/2020
Juice Newton – Angel of the Morning	1981	07:41	6	18/2/2024
Allan Caswell – The Day We Sold The Farm	2025	07:46	1	2/1/2026
Blue Shamrocks – You Packed Away Your Records	2024	07:49	3	22/3/2024
For A Listener: Roy Orbison – Cry Softly Lonely One		07:54	16	26/9/2025
Seekers – Music Of The World A-Turning	1967	07:56	5	20/12/2023
Kevin Sullivan – The Stroll	2024	08:06	1	30/8/2024
Charting this day 1972 Charley Pride – Wings Of A Dove	1972	08:12	17	12/12/2025
Charting this day 1972 Cat Stevens – Peace Train	1972	08:15	7	21/7/2023
Patsy Cline – Love Letters In The Sand		08:20	2	12/7/2024
Paul Ricketts – I’m Just Like You	2025	08:25	1	26/12/2025
Billy Vaughn & His Orchestra – A Walk In The Black Forest		08:33	2	9/5/2021
Nicole Conring – Weihnachtszauber	2025	08:36	2	2/1/2026
Anthony Baxter & Peggy Gilchrist – Vincent	2025	08:39	2	28/12/2025
Vintage Vinyl    Johnny Mathis – Wonderful Wonderful	1957	08:42	2	30/9/2018
Gary Kennedy – Dance With Me Molly	2023	08:48	17	17/9/2023
Air Supply – The One That You Love	1981	08:54	7	9/10/2022

► LOOKING at events on 9 January;

In 1951  the new United Nations headquarters officially opened in New York, U.S.A., 

In 1968, the American Surveyor 7 space probe soft-landed on the moon, 40 kilometres from Tycho crater near the lunar South Pole.  Within an hour it transmitted the first of a series of 21,000 photographs to Earth.  Contact with Surveyor 7 was lost on February 21.

In 1972, Hong Kong Harbour, the former liner RMS Queen Elizabeth, which had been converted into a floating university, was destroyed by fire.

In 1980 in Canberra, A.C.T.,  Australia’s Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser announced sanctions to be applied against the Soviet Union as a consequence of its invasion of Afghanistan.

In 1997  British yachtsman Tony Bullimore was rescued from his capsized yacht in the Southern Ocean by the Australian naval vessel HMAS Adelaide, after being located by an RAAF Orion aircraft.

► BORN…..

Domenico Modugno, was born on this day in 1928 in Polignano a Mare, Italy.    He was a singer, songwriter, actor, and later a member of the Italian Parliament. He scored a No 1 hit in Australia with his 1958 international hit Volare.   He died in 1994.

Bill Cowsill, was born on this day in 1948 in Middletown, Rhode Island, U.S.A.  He was lead singer and guitarist of The Cowsills, who had several hit singles in Australia in the late 1960s;  The Rain, The Park and Other Things, Indian Lake and their version of the title song from the musical Hair.  He died in 2006.

Brenda Gail Webb alias Crystal Gayle, was born on this day in 1951 in Paintsville, Kentucky, U.S.A.  She is a country singer best known for her 1977 hit, Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue. 

► DIED…..

Robert Dies, alias Bob Dyer,  died on this day in 1984 on the Gold Coast, Queensland at the age of 74.  He was a vaudeville entertainer, radio personality, radio and television quiz show host best known for the long-running radio, and later, television quiz show, Pick A Box. 

Peter Cook, died on this day in 1995 in Hampstead, London, England aged 57.  He was a satirist, writer and comedian, As an influential figure in English comedy, he is regarded as the leading light of the British satire boom of the 60s. 

Today’s photo – The Bridestowe Lavender Farm, Nabowla, Northern Tasmania

Today’s Playlist

TRACK	RELEASE YEAR	PLAY TIME	PREVIOUS PLAYS	LAST PLAYED
Andy Martin – Paint Me Blue	2025	09:05	0
Kathy Carver – Pretty Walls	2025	09:10	1	10/10/2025
Val Doonican – Wichita Lineman		09:14	0
70s Classic    Baccara – Yes Sir I Can Boogie	1977	09:18	11	20/4/2025
Monkees – A Little Bit Me A Little Bit You	1967	09:24	5	27/10/2023
Foster & Allen – Wooden Heart		09:27	1	20/11/2016
Joe Reisman & His Orchestra – Five Minutes More		09:31	3	23/9/2022
Domenico Modugno – Volare  Domenico Modugno, born on this day in 1928 in Polignano a Mare, Italy.   Died 1994	1958	09:35	5	6/8/2023
Cowsills – Hair  Bill Cowsill, born on this day in 1948 in Middletown, Rhode Island, U.S.A.  Died 2006	1969	09:39	5	27/9/2019
For a Listener Drifters – Saturday Night At The Movies	1964	09:44	12	27/12/2024
Diamond Classic – Charting on this day 1966 Herb Alpert & Tijuana Brass – Tijuana Taxi	1966	09:47	11	6/5/2022
Diamond Classic – Charting on this day 1966 Freddie & Dreamers – A Windmill In Old Amsterdam	1966	09:49	1	8/2/2013
Warren Kearney & Peggy Nora – We Don’t Talk Anymore		09:52	12	31/1/2025
Slim Dusty – The Decimal Currency Pub	1966	09:55	12	19/5/2023
Alfred Hause Orchestra – Popcorn			1	31/1/2025
Ray Jones – Back Roads	2025	10:05	1	10/10/2025
Crystal Gayle – Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue  Crystal Gayle, was born on this day in 1951 in Paintsville, Kentucky, U.S.A.	1977	10:10	5	17/3/2017
Bobby Bare – 500 Miles Away From Home	1963	10:13	11	1/12/2023
Sheila Pope – Hopeless Rose	2025	10:18	1	26/9/2025
Vintage Vinyl   Gordon McRae – Singing In The Rain	1957	10:23	3	5/10/2025
Ben Reel – I Will	2025	10:25	2	12/12/2025
Romantic Strings – Moonlight Serenade		10:31	3	10/1/2025
Don Smythe – Big City Blues	2025	10:35	3	31/10/2025
Gail Carson – Gratitude	2025	10:38	0
70s Classic    Max Merritt & Meteors – Slippin’ Away	1976	10:42	12	13/4/2025
Glenn Erickson – Can’t Make It On My Own	2025	10:46	4	1/1/2021
Bruce Mackay Songwriting with Anthony Snope & Ashleigh Dallas – Dearie Me		10:51	2	7/2/2025
Danny Stain & Ashleigh Watson – Ring of Fire	2017	10:56	4	29/12/2023
Mandy Storm – Locked My Heart In Prison	2025	11:05	0
Toni West – Hell Of A Day	2025	11:10	2	7/11/2025
Steve Cheers – Somebody To Love	2025	11:14	2	24/10/2025
For a Listener Donovan – Jennifer Juniper	1968	11:20	4	10/5/2024
Vintage Vinyl    Alma Cogan – Bell Bottom Blues	1954	11:27	2	1/3/2019
Norman Percival Orchestra – Just One More Chance		11:33	1	14/11/2025
Diamond Classic – Charting on this day 1966 Simon & Garfunkel – The Sound of Silence	1966	11:38	1	17/7/2022
Diamond Classic – Charting on this day 1966 Kinks – A Well Respected Man	1966	11:41	0
Ronnie Milsap – Four Walls		11:45	11	1/12/2024
Daniel O’Donnell – From A Jack To A King		11:48	2	2/8/2024
Racey – Runaround Sue		11:50	1	31/3/2024
Sailor – The Old Nickelodeon Sound		11:53	2	17/12/2023

► LOOKING at events on 4 January;

1958  the Soviet Union’s Sputnik 1, which was launched on October 4, 1957, was destroyed when it re-entered Earth’s atmosphere.  It was the size of a beach ball, and the first man made object to orbit Earth.

1959, and the spherical Russian spacecraft Luna 1 passed nearly 6,000 kilometres from the Moon. A malfunction at launch caused the craft, which was intended to crash-land on the Moon, to miss and enter orbit around the Sun, between Earth and Mars, where it remains today.

1964, all passenger services on the Emu Bay Railway in western Tasmania ceased with final running of the West Coaster express, which carried passengers and their motor vehicles between Burnie and Zeehan.

1989, over 570 died in the Ural Mountains, Russia, when two passenger trains were engulfed in an explosion caused by a leaking gas pipeline, close to the railway.

2004,  the U.S. Mars Rover, Spirit 1 landed successfully on the planet Mars.  It remained active until March 22, 2010, during which time it operated over 20 times longer than expected, even after it became irretrievably stuck in soft soil.  It is no longer operational due to battery failure, caused by an accumulation of dust on its solar panels.

► DIED…..

Donald Campbell, died on this day in 1967 in Lake Coniston, Scotland.  He was a car and boat racer, who was killed instantly when his boat Bluebird K7 flipped and disintegrated at a speed in excess of 480 km/h, during an attempt to set a new water speed record.  He was aged 45.

Les Brown, died on this day in 1990 in Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.  He was a big band leader and composer, best known for nearly seven decades of orchestral work as Les Brown and His Band of Renown from 1938 till 2001.  He was aged 88.

Today’s photo: A glimpse of radio as it was in the 1940s; commercial station 7HT in Hobart.

Today’s Playlist :

TRACK	RELEASE YEAR	TIME	PREVIOUS PLAYS	LAST PLAYED
David McCaffrey – Walk Of Life	2025	06:06	3	26/12/2025
Charting this day 1970 Lionel Rose – I Thank You	1970	06:11	6	7/11/2025
Charting this day 1970 R B Greaves – Take A Letter Maria	1970	06:15	6	18/7/2025
Ron Christopher – Angelyne	2025	06:19	3	4/5/2025
Barbara Blevins – Let’s Build A Love	2025	06:23	2	20/4/2025
For A Listener: P J Proby – Somewhere		06:27	19	11/5/2025
Bob Crosby & His Orchestra – Ja Da		06:32	2	9/3/2025
Joni James & Les Brown & His Band Of Renown – People Will Say We’re In Love		06:40	0
Charlie Landsborough – I Wish It Was Me		06:42	0
Lindsay Waddington – Solid Ground	2025	06:47	3	29/6/2025
Vintage Vinyl    Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Jordan – Baby It’s Cold Outside	1951	06:50	1	18/9/2016
Allan Caswell – When Scotty Was Still In His Prime		06:54	2	16/11/2025
Franky B and the Shadowriders – Soul Limbo	2025	06:58	2	7/12/2025
Ray Conniff Singers – Under Paris Skies	2025	07:05	0
Charting this day 1970 Ronnie Burns – Smiley	1970	07:10	6	8/9/2023
Charting this day 1970 Karen Young – Nobody’s Child	1970	07:13	6	5/1/2025
Roger Whittaker – Both Sides Now	1971	07:18	5	4/4/2025
For A Listener: Trinidad Steel Drum Band – Jamaica Farewell		07:24	3	25/7/2025
Warwick & Young – Have You Next To Me	2025	07:27	0
Johnny Gibbs & His Orchestra – Massachusetts		07:33	0
Vintage Vinyl    Jim Reeves – Blue Boy	1958	07:37	7	10/9/2023
Hans Krakou -The Way It Used To Be	2025	07:39	4	1/8/2025
Anne Murray – Another Sleepless Night		07:44	0
Ray Malcolm – Help Me Make It Through The Night	2025	07:47	3	1/8/2025
Christopher Cross – Ride Like The Wind		07:52	0
Tornados – Love And Fury	1963	07:56	13	4/7/2025
Foster & Allen – Hello Mary Lou		08:05	0
Charting this day 1970 Roy Orbison – Penny Arcade	1970	08:09	9	15/8/2025
Charting this day 1970 Heintje – Heidschi Bumbeidschi	1970	08:13	2	5/1/2018
Joy Adams & Gary R. Farmer – That’s Why I Love You Like I Do	2025	08:17	9	5/12/2025
Andy Williams – Aloha Oe		08:20	0
For A Listener: Foster & Allen – Rose Of My Heart		08:27	32	23/11/2025
Wayne & Geraldi – Back In Your Own Backyard		08:34	1	28/3/2025
John Michael Ferrari – How Far Apart Are We	2025	08:38	3	9/11/2025
Jim Croce – I’ll Have To Say I Love You In A Song		08:42	1	10/1/2021
Jazz Kings – Sing A Little Song		08:45	7	30/6/2024
Vintage Vinyl    Stargazers with Sonny Farrar & His Banjo Band – Somebody	1955	08:49	0
Vintage Vinyl Rosemary Clooney & Thurl Ravenscroft – Where Will The Baby’s Dimple Be	1955	08:51	4	5/3/2021
Col Joye – Daisy A Day	1975	08:54	1	23/4/2023

—O0O—

► LOOKING at events on 2 January;

On this day in 1959  the Soviet Union  launched Luna 1, the first spacecraft to reach the vicinity of the Moon.  It was intended to crash into the moon, but missed by 6,000 kilometres and went into orbit around the Sun.

In 1960, Oodnadatta, South Australia recorded Australia’s highest ever temperature 50.7 C  (123.3F).  The same temperature was recorded in Onslow, West Australia on 13 January 2022.

In 1964, in the remote north-east of South Australia,  the bodies of a family of five, who perished after becoming stranded in desolate country over a week previously, were discovered 19 km from their broken-down car.  They were buried beneath a nearby coolibah tree.

1964 in Bass Strait, a fishing boat and the Royal Navy submarine HMS Trump  (!!!!) were racing through heavy seas to rescue a dismasted Sydney-Hobart yacht race competitor, the sloop Lolita. 

1964 again, America’s Ranger 6 spacecraft crashed on the western edge of the Moon’s Mare Tranquillitatis as planned, but  failed to transmit any photographs of the moon’s surface. 

2004  The space probe Stardust flew past Comet Wild 2, collecting samples which were returned to Earth.

► BORN…..

Roger Miller was born on this day in 1936 in Fort Worth, Texas, U.S.A.    He was a singer, songwriter, musician and actor, best known for his novelty songs, such as King Of The Road, Dang Me and England Swings.  Died 1992.

Graeme (alias Shirley) Strachan was born on this day in 1952 in Malvern, Victoria.  He was a rock singer and part of the band Skyhooks.   His nickname “Shirley” was acquired because of his long, sun bleached and curly hair, reminiscent of the child actress Shirley Temple.  Died 2001.

► DIED…..

Woodward Maurice Ritter alias Tex Ritter, died on this day in 1974 in Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.A. at the age of 68. He was a country singer and movie actor popular from the mid-1930s into the 1960s.

Alan Hale Mackahan alias Alan Hale Jr,, died on this day in 1990 in Los Angeles, California, U.S.A. aged 68.  He was a movie and television actor, known for his lead role in the 1950s television series Casey Jones;  also as Skipper on the sitcom Gilligan’s Island.  Hale was the lookalike son of popular film actor Alan Hale.

Eric Jupp, died on this day in 2003 in Launceston, Tasmania, aged 80.  He was a British-born musician, composer, arranger and conductor who gained wide popularity in Australia after emigrating in the 1960s.  He hosted a long-running light music TV show. 

Today’s photo – A former Willow Court psychiatric hospital building under restoration, New Norfolk.

Today’s Playlist

TRACK	RELEASE YEAR	PLAY TIME	PREVIOUS PLAYS	LAST PLAYED
Greg McInnes – Beautiful Day	2025	09:05	2	7/12/2025
Esther van Kommer – Christmas is Everything	2025	09:10	0
John McCall – Love in Katoomba	2025	09:13	2	12/12/2025
70s Classic    ABBA – Fernando	1976	09:20	23	31/8/2025
Foster & Allen – Crystal Chandelier		09:24	2	9/6/2017
Miss Lana – I Am Strong	2025	09:28	1	5/12/2025
Oscar Volk Orchestra – Melody In F		09:34	7	21/5/2023
Nicole Conring – Weihnachtszauber	2025	09:36	1	28/12/2025
Roger Miller – King Of The Road	1965	09:41	6	7/3/2025
For a Listener Barron Knights – The House of Johann Strauss	1965	09:46	12	17/1/2025
Diamond Classic – Charting on this day 1966 Connie Francis – Jealous Heart	1965	09:49	7	2/2/2024
Diamond Classic – Charting on this day 1966 Statler Brothers – Flowers On The Wall	1965	09:52	3	12/7/2019
For a Listener Beatles – Help	1965	09:55	17	5/12/2025
Petula Clark – You’re The One	1965	09:58	4	12/12/2025
Watling & Bates with Shelly Jones Band – West Out Of Redrock	2025	10:05	0
Skyhooks – All My Friends Are Getting Married	1975	10:10	7	29/12/2024
Daniel O’Donnell – All My Loving		10:15	0
Tex Ritter – High Noon	1952	10:20	3	10/7/2022
Vintage Vinyl   Ames Brothers – Rag Mop	1950	10:23	0
J K Coltrain – The Monster Mash	2025	10:27	2	12/12/2025
Eric Jupp – Cherish		10:32	2	2/3/2025
Larissa Tormey – Christmas Is On The Way	2025	10:36	0
Allan Caswell – The Day We Sold The Farm	2025	10:39	0
70s Classic    Maxine Nightingale – Right Back Where We Started From	1976	10:43	3	13/4/2025
Musical Youth – Pass The Dutchie	1982	10:48	4	1/1/2021
Starship – Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now	1987	10:50	1	20/4/2012
For a Listener Kevin Shegog – Phar Lap		10:56	6	17/2/2023
Ol’ 55 – Anywhere The Girls Are	1980	11:05	3	19/8/2016
Two Man Band – Hobart Just A Day Away	1983	11:10	5	26/1/2025
Kathy Carver – Yellow Moon On The Swan	2025	11:13	3	8/6/2025
For a Listener Carpenters – For All We Know	1971	11:20	7	17/11/2024
Vintage Vinyl    Nat King Cole – To The Ends Of The Earth	1956	11:23	1	29/12/2023
Horst Wende’s Accordeon Band – Rosamunde		11:33	5	24/3/2023
Diamond Classic – Charting on this day 1966 Johnny Tillotson – Our World	1965	11:36	0
Diamond Classic – Charting on this day 1966 Vic Dana – Crystal Chandelier	1965	11:39	14	26/8/2022
Leonard Teale & Andy Sundstrom – Bound For Hobart Town	1965	11:43	13	7/3/2025
Lucky Starr – I’ve Been Everywhere	1962	11:46	0
Rebekka Lundstrøm – Keep On Dancing	2025	11:49	1	10/10/2025
Cootamundra Jazz Band – Red Red Robin		11:54	4	7/4/2023

► LOOKING at events on 28 December;

In 1879,  Disaster occurred in Dundee, Scotland, when the central navigation spans of the 4½ kilometre long Tay Railway Bridge collapsed as a train was passing over during a stormy evening
All 75 aboard were lost.  A subsequent inquiry found the collapse was due to a combination of poor engineering design and construction standards.

.In 1908, the city of Messina, in Sicily, was destroyed and over 75,000 lives were lost during a magnitude 7.2 earthquake.

In 1989, another earthquake, this time in Newcastle, New South Wales, where a magnitude 5.6 earthquake struck.  This is Australia’s most devastating to date, with 13 deaths recorded.

► BORN…..

In 1884, Tea Tree, Tasmania – Robert Cosgrove, Premier of Tasmania from 1939–1947, and 1948–1958.  His record 18 years as Premier remains unbroken today.  He died in 1969.

In 1910, in Waco, Texas, U.S.A. –  Billy Williams, an African-American singer, who did a successful cover recording of Fats Waller’s I’m Gonna sit Right Down and Write Myself A Letter in 1957. This record sold over a million copies, and was awarded a gold disc.  His trademark was to include “Oh, Yeah” at the end of the lyrics.  He died in 1972.

In 1953, in Paris, France –  Philippe Pagès alias Richard Clayderman the pianist who has released numerous albums including instrumental renditions of popular music, rearrangements of movie soundtracks, ethnic music, and easy-listening arrangements of most popular classical works.

► DIED…..

In 1983, in Marina del Rey, California, U.S.A. – Dennis Wilson drummer, singer and songwriter and foundation member of the Beach Boys    He was aged 39.

In 2016, in Los Angeles, California, U.S.A. –  Mary Frances Reynolds alias Debbie Reynolds, actress, singer, and dancer and humanitarian whose first major movie role was in the 1950 production Three Little Words.  Her rendition of the song Tammy in the movie Tammy And The Bachelor in 1957 reached No 1 on the pop music charts.  She was aged 84.

In 2018, in Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.A. –  Christine McGuire, one of a singing popular music trio formed with her sisters Dorothy and Phyllis and known as  The McGuire Sisters.  Among their most popular songs were Sincerely and Sugartime.  She was aged 92.

In 2022, in Sydney, New South Wales – Joan Sydney, an actress best known for her role as Valda Sheergold in the soapie Neighbours, and also as Maggie Sloane, matron of the Wandin Valley Bush Nursing Hospital, in A Country Practice. She was aged 86.

Today’s photo (by Bonnie Fraser): The Kings Bridges spanning the Cataract Gorge, Launceston, Tasmania. Although this appears as a single bridge, and is regarded as such, the first construction was fabricated in Manchester, England, in 1864, shipped to Launceston, and assembled.
As it was only wide enough for one vehicle to cross, in 1904 an identical bridge was built locally and floated into position when complete, effectively widening the original.

Today’s Playlist :

TRACK	RELEASE YEAR	TIME	PREVIOUS PLAYS	LAST PLAYED
Lee Ann Kelly – It Was Mine	2025	06:06	0
For A Listener: Easybeats – Friday On My Mind	1966	06:13	16	12/1/2025
Charting this day 1979 Charlie Daniels Band – Devil Went Down To Georgia	1979	06:16	1	31/3/2023
Charting this day 1979 ABBA – Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!	1979	06:19	3	19/9/2025
Ronnie Milsap – Carolina Dreams		06:25	1	25/2/2024
Anthony Baxter & Peggy Gilchrist – Vincent	2025	06:29	1	26/12/2025
London Promenade Orchestra – The Music Of The Night		06:34	0
Richard Clayderman – A Woman In Love		06:39	2	2/2/2025
Rachel Sweet – I Go To Pieces	1979	06:43	0
Andy Williams – More And More		06:47	0
Vintage Vinyl    Phil Harris – The Thing	1950	06:50	5	31/5/2024
Lucinda Wilson – Cottage In The Country		06:53	0
Mrs Mills – Shine On Harvest Moon		06:58	0
Stuart Joel Nuggett & Kevin Sullivan – I’m Barred Again	2025	07:05	3	14/12/2025
Charting this day 1979 Eagles – Heartache Tonight	1979	07:12	3	16/11/2018
Charting this day 1979 K C & The Sunshine Band – Please Don’t Go	1979	07:16	1	4/12/2020
For A Listener: Matt Monro – If I Never Sing Another Song		07:23	0
Sonny James – King Of The Road		07:29	0
Debbie Reynolds – Raindrops		07:32	4	15/7/2016
Shirley Bassey – Big Spender		07:35	1	8/1/2017
Vintage Vinyl    Four Aces – Green Door	1956	07:39	3	18/7/2025
Ian Pearce with Bob Barnard [Cornet] – Miss Annabelle Lee		07:41	1	8/6/2025
Beach Boys – Surfin’		07:46	1	26/6/2015
Mundy-Turner – Lucky Premonition	2025	07:48	1	12/12/2025
Ray Conniff Singers – Hands Across The Table		07:52	0
For A Listener: Bobby Goldsboro – Molly	1963	07:55	7	16/11/2025
Brendan O’Dowda – Eileen Oge		07:58	0
Cupid’s Inspiration – Yesterday Has Gone	1968	08:05	0
Charting this day 1979 Buggles – Video Killed The Radio Star	1979	08:10	4	12/9/2025
Charting this day 1979 Kermit the Frog (The Muppets) – The Rainbow Connection	1979	08:14	2	9/2/2025
Anne Murray – We Don’t Make Love Anymore		08:19	0
Grady Martin & Slewfoot Five – Missouri Waltz		08:23	1	23/8/2020
Grace Rivera – It’s Time		08:29	0
Romantic Strings Orchestra – To All The Girls I’ve Loved Before		08:35	0
Roger Whittaker – Lady Greensleeves		08:38	0
Matt Scullion – Golden Handcuffs		08:40	2	26/12/2025
Vintage Vinyl    Marty Robbins – The Story Of My Life	1957	08:44	4	6/8/2023
Buddy Holly – Oh Boy	1957	08:47	4	19/6/2020
Joy Adams – The Snorer		08:49	1	19/12/2025
Chad Morgan – The Rooster Crowed		08:52	6	9/2/2024
Nicole Conring – Weihnachtszauber		08:55	0

—O0O—