► 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—

► LOOKING at events on 19 December;

On this day in 1932 in London, the BBC commenced overseas broadcasting, under the callsign, The BBC Empire Service. It was originally intended for English people living overseas, but became The BBC Overseas Service during World War 2, with programmes in foreign languages.

In 1956, the Sydney suburbs of St Marys, Forestville and French’s Forest were ravaged by bushfires, which rendered 200 homeless. 

In 1965, two criminals, Peter Walker and Ronald Ryan, escaped from Melbourne’s Pentridge Prison, by using a chaplain as a hostage.  A pursuing warder was allegedly shot by Ryan, who later became the last person to be executed in Australia.

In 1972  The last Australian troops to leave Vietnam arrived at the Richmond Air Force Base in New South Wales

► BORN…..

In 1915 in Paris, France, Édith Giovanna Gassion  alias Edith Piaf, singer, actress and cultural icon  regarded as France’s greatest popular singer  She died in Grasse, France, in 1963.

Gordon Jackson was born this day in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1923.  He was an actor best known for his television roles as the butler Angus Hudson in the 1970s series Upstairs Downstairs, and also as George Cowley, the head of C I 5, in The Professionals.  He died in London in 1990.

► DIED…..

George Jackson Churchward, died on this day in 1933 in Swindon, England aged 76.  He was a locomotive engineer with the English Great Western Railway company from 1902 till 1922.
During this time, he designed a series of innovative locomotives, substantially superior to any locomotive used by the other British railway companies.
He was struck by an express train whilst examining a defective railway sleeper.

Michael Clarke died this day in 1993 in Treasure Island, Florida, U.S.A. aged 47.  He was a drummer for the 60s rock group The Byrds from 1964 to 1967.     

Hope Lange died this day in 2003 in Santa Monica, California U.S.A., aged 70.  She was an actress, and star of the popular TV series, The Ghost and Mrs Muir for which she earned two Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe Award nomination. 

Today’s photo – The TYGA-FM studios, Circle Street, New Norfolk.

Today’s Playlist – Friday Morning Radio

TRACK	RELEASE YEAR	PLAY TIME	PREVIOUS PLAYS	LAST PLAYED
John Mullan – Summertime Blues	2025	09:05	1	14/12/2025
Abby Grace – Upside of Down	2025	09:11	2	5/12/2025
Tony Christie – Rhinestone Cowboy	2025	09:14	2	19/5/2024
70s Classic    Perry Como – For The Good Times	1973	09:18	7	7/12/2025
Craig Giles – I Can’t Believe It’s Christmas	2017	09:21	10	20/12/2024
Connie Francis – Statte Vicino Amme  (Stay Near To Me)		09:25	0
Johnny Douglas & His Orchestra – Manhattan		09:31	1	27/9/2019
Doris Day – A Wonderful Guy		09:33	0
Byrds – Turn Turn Turn	1965	09:39	11	28/11/2025
For a Listener Burl Ives – I Walk The Line	1961	09:45	2	5/12/2021
Diamond Classic – Charting on this day 1965 Beatles – We Can Work It Out	1965	09:49	5	1/3/2020
Diamond Classic – Charting on this day 1965 Manfred Mann – Do Wah Diddy Diddy	1965	09:51	13	30/8/2024
Larissa Tormey – Special Christmas		09:56	11	22/12/2024
Amber Lawrence – Aussie Aussie Christmas	2018	10:05	2	20/12/2024
Uncle Trent & Friends – The Dancer	2025	10:10	1	30/11/2025
Tania Hills – Jolene	2020	10:13	0
Rob Breese – Aussie Christmas Day	2020	10:17	9	20/12/2024
Vintage Vinyl   Guy Mitchell & Mindi Casson – Tell Us Where The Good Times Are	1953	10:21	0
Isla Grant – When The Day Is Done		10:24	1	25/7/2021
Paul Mauriat & His Orchestra – Alouette		10:27	2	7/6/2024
Max Greger & His Orchestra – Two Gitarren		10:31	0
Henry Mancini & His Orchestra & Chorus – You Make Feel Like Dancing		10:34	1	29/6/2025
Elvis Presley with Karen Fairchild & Kimberly Schlapman – O Little Town Of Bethlehem		10:38	1	15/12/2024
70s Classic    George Baker Selection – Una Paloma Blanca	1975	10:41	16	22/8/2025
Noel Murphy – Murphy and The Bricks		10:45	8	26/1/2024
Lindsay Butler & Peggy Gilchrist – Some Day When Things Are Good		10:49	1	6/11/2022
Warren Kearney – Christmas Our Way	2021	10:53	6	14/12/2025
Lee Kernaghan – The Boys From The Bush		10:55	4	26/1/2025
Joy Adams – The Snorer		11:05	0
Peter Salata – Merry Christmas	2019	11:10	1	13/12/2019
Jade Hurley – Georgie		11:12	6	14/11/2025
For a Listener Roger Whittaker – Die Schneeweissen Tauben  (The Snow White Doves)		11:17	1	12/11/2021
Vintage Vinyl    Platters – One In A Million	1957	11:22	5	7/2/2025
Billy Vaughn & His Orchestra – The First Noel-O Tannenbaum		11:34	12	20/12/2024
Diamond Classic – Charting on this day 1965 Cliff Richard – Wind Me Up	1965	11:38	2	23/3/2018
Diamond Classic – Charting on this day 1965 Roger Miller – England Swings	1965	11:41	5	29/5/2022
Anthony Baxter – Top Of The World	2025	11:45	4	12/10/2025
John Williamson & Gondwanaland – Ancient Mountains		11:48	3	20/5/2022
Hansi & Lena – Something Stupid  (Etwas Dummes)	2025	11:53	0

► LOOKING at events on 14 December;

In 1911, Roald Amundsen and his team, Olav Bjaaland, Helmer Hanssen, Sverre Hassel, and Oscar Wisting, became the first to reach the South Pole.

In 1930, on the airwaves in Launceston, Tasmania, commercial radio station 7LA commenced regular transmission on the AM band at 1100 kHz.
The frequency changed slightly to 1098 kHz in 1978, and in 2008, the frequency changed again to 89.3 mHz.  The station then became known as LA-FM.

In 1944 the Liberal Party of Australia was formed in Canberra, to replace the United Australia Party.

In 1950, back in Launceston, over £300,000 damage was caused by a blaze which destroyed Ludbrooks department store.

In 1955 in Huonville, work commenced on construction of a new bridge to span the Huon River. 

In 1972 the last manned mission to the moon during the 20th Century concluded, as Eugene Cernan became the last person to date, to walk on the moon, after he and Harrison Schmitt completed their third Extra-vehicular Activity.

In 2009, here in New Norfolk, TYGA-FM commenced regular broadcasting.

► BORN…..

In 1911, in  Long Beach, California U.S.A.,  Lindley Armstrong Jones, alias Spike Jones, He was a popular musician who specialised in satirical arrangements of popular songs, punctuated with gunshots, whistles, cowbells, and ridiculous vocals.
Through the 1940s and early 1950s, the band recorded under the title Spike Jones and his City Slickers. He died in 1965.

In 1932, in Colt, Arkansas, U.S.A.,  Charlie Rich, rockabilly/jazz/country singer and musician remembered for his 1973 hits Behind Closed Doors and The Most Beautiful Girl    He died in 1995.

In 1964,  in Levin, New Zealand,, Rebecca Gibney, actress who has appeared in numerous Australian film and television productions. She won a Gold Logie in 2010 for her role as Julie Rafter in Packed To The Rafters.

In 1964, in Knoxfield, Melbourne, Nadine Garner, stage and screen actress who first appeared in 1985, as Tamara Henderson in the Australian TV series, The Henderson Kids.
Nadine has appeared in many other series, including Prisoner, Neighbours, The Bill, A Country Practice, The Flying Doctors, G P, Water Rats.  And The Doctor Blake Mysteries.

► DIED…..

In 1963 in Detroit, Michigan, U.S.A.,   Ruth Lee Jones, alias Dinah Washington, African-American jazz/blues singer and pianist  cited as “the most popular black female recording artist of the ’50s.”   She was aged 39.

In 2011 in Vidor, Texas, U.S.A., Billie Jo Spears, country singer whose biggest hit was Blanket On The Ground in 1974.  She was aged 73.

In 2013 in London, England,  Peter O’Toole, Irish actor of stage and screen who achieved stardom in 1962 with the role of T.E. Lawrence in Lawrence of Arabia.  He later became a highly-honoured film and stage actor.  He was aged 81.

Today’s photo – New Norfolk Carols, last Friday (12 December), on the Esplanade.   (Yours Truly.)

Today’s Playlist :

TRACK	RELEASE YEAR	TIME	PREVIOUS PLAYS	LAST PLAYED
John Mullan – Summertime Blues	2025	06:06	0
Charting this day 1975 ABBA – Mamma Mia	1975	06:12	19	18/8/2024
Charting this day 1975 Dr Hook – Only Sixteen	1975	06:16	3	19/1/2025
Shirley Llewellyn – I Came From The Nambucca Valley	2025	06:20	1	30/11/2025
Warren Kearney – Christmas Our Way	2021	06:22	5	22/12/2024
Walk Don ‘t Run – Backroads and Moonshine	2025	06:25	0
Ian Hughes & His Orchestra – I Just Called To Say I Love You		06:33	2	13/12/2024
For A Listener: John Williamson – A Christmas Photo		06:37	16	22/12/2024
Charlie Rich – Rolling With The Flow	1977	06:42	5	8/4/2025
Robert Ross – People Like Me	2025	06:45	1	7/12/2025
The Charlesys – Fun Christmas Day	2025	06:50	1	7/12/2025
Vintage Vinyl    Dean Martin – Memories Are Made Of This	1955	06:54	4	5/8/2021
Mountain Rio – Christmas In Ukraine	2025	06:56	3	12/12/2025
Stuart Joel Nuggett & Kevin Sullivan – I’m Barred Again	2025	07:05	2	5/12/2025
Charting this day 1975 Band of the Black Watch – Scotch On The Rocks	1975	07:12	4	5/10/2025
Charting this day 1975 Rod Stewart – Sailing	1975	07:15	26	13/4/2025
For A Listener: Melba Montgomery – No Charge	1964	07:21	0
For A Listener: John Paul Young – Yesterday’s Hero	1975	07:25	0
Romantic Strings Orchestra – Unchained Melody		07:30	0
Dinah Washington – September In The Rain	1961	07:36	7	29/8/2025
Billie Jo Spears – What I’ve Got In Mind	2025	07:38	4	5/11/2023
Vintage Vinyl    Les Baxter Chorus – Because Of You	1951	07:43	1	29/12/2013
Glenn Levi – Christmas In Australia	2025	07:46	4	12/12/2025
Marshall Tucker Band – Heard It In A Love Song		07:51	0
Lou Monte – Dominick The Donkey		07:56	13	22/12/2024
Mike McClellan – Rock’n’Roll Man		08:05	0
For a Listener: Roy Orbison – California Blue	1989	08:11	15	21/11/2025
Charting this day 1975 Joe Dolan – Lady In Blue	1975	08:15	5	2/11/2018
Charting this day 1975 Roger Whittaker – I Don’t Believe In If Any More	1975	08:19	5	29/12/2023
Peter Stefanson – In Our Childhood Days	2025	08:28	5	29/8/2025
Simon Orton – That’s Life	2025	08:32	2	21/11/2025
Gordon Langford & His Orchestra – Against All Odds		08:39	1	16/4/2021
Joy Adams & Gary R Farmer – The Book	2025	08:43	2	30/11/2025
Toni West – Soon It’ll Be Christmas		08:47	1	12/12/2021
Vintage Vinyl    Perry Como – Magic Moments	1958	08:51	3	17/10/2025
Matt Flinders – By The Time I Get To Phoenix		08:54	0

—O0O—

► LOOKING at events on 12 December;

1949, in Linkoping, Sweden – SAAB, originally an aeroplane manufacturer, commenced production of its first car.  The 92 model had an unusually aerodynamic two-door body and a transversely mounted  two cylinder, two-stroke engine, driving the front wheels through a 3 speed transmission, to give a maximum speed of 105 km/h

.In 1966,  Sydney, New South Wales – The loss of a rear rotor blade was believed to have caused an inner-city helicopter crash which took the lives of the pilot and two ABC employees aboard..

In 1967, Hobart, Tasmania – The Tasmanian Government announced the introduction of an absolute speed limit of 60 miles per hour throughout the State, with provisional licence holders restricted to 50 miles per hour.  A few years later, with the introduction of metrics, these were adjusted to 110 km/h and 80 km/h respectively.

► BORN…..
In 1915, in Hoboken, New Jersey, U.S.A ., Frank Sinatra, singer, actor, producer and one of the most influential and best-selling artists of the 20^th century, with over 150 million record sales to his credit.  His career began in 1935, during the Big Band era and continued till 1995.   Died 1998.

In 1938, inNewark, New Jersey, U.S.A.,  Concetta Rosa Maria Franconero, alias Connie Francis, chart-topping singer of the late 1950s and early 60s, one of the best-selling musical artists in history, with record sales over 100 million. Died 2025.

In 1942, in Delhi, India,  Peter Sarstedt, British singer-songwriter who has recorded a number of successful albums.  His 1969 hit Where Do You Go To topped the charts in 14 countries. Died 2017.

► DIED…..
In 1986, in Brisbane, Queensland, Harold Williams, alias Buddy Williams, Australian country singer and songwriter, known as The Yodelling Jackaroo.
Williams was the first Australian to record country music in Australia, three years after New Zealander Tex Morton made his first recording in Australia.  He was aged 68.

In 1999, Gold Coast, Queensland, Gordon Chater, Australian comedian and actor, nationally famous during the 1960s with his roles in the Mavis Bramston Show and My Name’s McGooley What’s Yours.  He was aged 77.

In 2016, in Sydney, New South Wales, Anne Deveson, writer, broadcaster and social commentator, one of the first presenters in Australia to use talkback radio.  She was aged 86.

In 2020, in Dallas, Texas, U.S.A., Charles Franklin Pride alias Charley Pride, country singer, musician, and professional baseball player.  He was aged 86.

Today’s photo – The Blowhole, Bicheno, on Tasmania’s East Coast.
Today’s Playlist – Friday Morning Radio

TRACK	RELEASE YEAR	PLAY TIME	PREVIOUS PLAYS	LAST PLAYED
John McCall – Love in Katoomba	2025	09:05	1	28/11/2025
Joy Adams – But Wait There’s More		09:13	0
David McCaffrey – Walk Of Life	2025	09:15	1	5/12/2025
70s Classic    Bette Midler – Chapel of Love	1974	09:19	4	6/4/2025
Bobby Goldsboro – Behind Closed Doors		09:22	4	9/11/2025
Michael Farrell – The Christmas Polka	2021	09:26	1	24/12/2021
David Firman & His Orchestra – Take My Breath Away		09:31	2	4/4/2025
Inger Lise Stulien – Watching The Snow	2025	09:35	0
Frank Sinatra – Strangers In The Night	1966	09:43	10	20/9/2020
For a Listener Connie Francis – My Heart Has A Mind Of Its Own	1960	09:47	9	18/7/2025
For a Listener Jim Reeves – An Old Christmas Card		09:50	8	23/12/2022
Diamond Classic – Charting on this day 1965 Beatles – Day Tripper	1965	09:53	7	5/12/2025
Diamond Classic – Charting on this day 1965 Animals – It’s My Life	1965	09:56	3	16/2/2018
Christa Fartek  – If I Could	2025	10:05	1	5/12/2025
Peter Sarstedt – Frozen Orange Juice	1969	10:11	8	8/1/2023
Charley Pride – On The Wings Of A Dove	1971	10:14	16	12/1/2025
Holly Wild – Fire In The Rain	2025	10:18	1	5/12/2025
Vintage Vinyl   Gordon MacRae – Autumn Leaves	1950	10:21	1	11/10/2013
Peter Parker & Marty Paich Orchestra – Liza		10:24	0
Mountain Rio – Christmas In Ukraine	2025	10:27	2	5/12/2025
National Philharmonic Orchestra – Mull Of Kintyre		10:35	0
Manuel & The Music of the Mountains – A Summer Place		10:37	3	5/92025
Patsy & Dave with James Blundell – After The Storm	2025	10:39	2	5/12/2025
70s Classic    David Bowie – Sorrow	1974	10:45	5	6/4/2025
J K Coltrain – The Monster Mash	2025	10:50	1	28/11/2025
Randy C Moore – Born In A Barn	2025	10:56	1	23/11/2025
Glenn Levi – Christmas In Australia	2022	11:05	3	22/12/2023
For a Listener Craig Giles – Picture On The Mantle	2017	11:11	22	9/11/2025
Ray Stevens – Everybody Needs A Rainbow		11:15	0
Mundy-Turner – Lucky Premonition	2025	11:18
For a Listener Hein Simons – Tulpen aus Amsterdam		11:24	1	12/4/2024
Vintage Vinyl    Jim Reeves – Yonder Comes A Sucker	1955	11:30	2	18/4/2025
Henry Mancini & His Orchestra – The Hustle		11:37	0
Diamond Classic – Charting on this day 1965 Al Martino – Spanish Eyes	1965	11:41	12	3/11/2024
Diamond Classic – Charting on this day 1965 Petula Clark – You’re The One	1965	11:44	3	31/1/2020
Dianne Coombes & Allan Caswell – Rocket Science	2025	11:47	0
Walk Don’t Run – I Can Hear That Train	2025	11:52	2	10/5/2024

► LOOKING at events on 7 December;

In 1941, Pearl Harbour, Hawaii, the Imperial Japanese Navy attacked the United States Pacific Fleet, causing over 2,000 deaths and resulting in a declaration of war upon Japan by the United States.

In 1957 the first U.S. attempt to launch a satellite failed, when the rocket exploded on the launch pad in Cape Canaveral, Florida.

Also in Cape Canaveral, in 1972  Apollo 17, with astronauts Gene Cernan, Ronald Evans, and Harrison Schmitt aboard, was launched to the Moon.

It was the first night launch in the U.S.A. of a manned space mission, the sixth and final lunar landing mission of the Apollo program, and the final manned mission to the moon during the 20^th century.

► BORN…..

In 1910 in New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.A., Louis Prima, singer, actor,  songwriter and trumpeter, known as the King of the Swing.
He rode the musical trends of his time, starting in the 1920s with his seven-piece jazz band, then successively led a swing combo in the 1930s, a big band in the 1940s, a Vegas lounge act in the 1950s, and a pop-rock band in the 1960s.  Died 1978.

1910, in Port of Spain, Trinidad, Edmundo Ros.  He was a musician, vocalist, arranger and bandleader who made his career in Britain. He directed a highly popular Latin-American orchestra, had an extensive recording career, and owned one of London’s leading night-clubs.    He died in 2011.

► DIED…..

In 1910 in Hendersonville, Tennessee, U.S.A., Roy Orbison, also known by the nickname The Big O, singer-songwriter and musician.  He was famous for his distinctive, powerful voice, complex compositions, and emotional ballads.
His greatest successes were with Monument Records in the 1960s, including Only The Lonely, Crying, In Dreams and Oh Pretty Woman.  He was aged 52.

 In 2010 in Melbourne, Victoria, Gus Mercurio, American-born Australian actor.  He was also a professional boxer and chiropractor.  As an actor he had frequent roles, usually as shady characters, in productions such as Homicide, Division Four and Matlock Police.  He also appeared in movies such as The Man From Snowy River, Crocodile Dundee 2 and Return To The Blue Lagoon    He was aged 82.

In 2011 in Los Angeles, California, Harry Morgan,  film and television actor more recently known in the role of Colonel Sherman T Potter in the television sitcom MASH.  He was aged 96.

Today’s photo – Tulips at Table Cape, near Wynyard in north-west Tasmania.

Today’s Playlist (V S):

TRACK	RELEASE YEAR	TIME	PREVIOUS PLAYS	LAST PLAYED
Ami Leigh – Wait & See	2025	06:06	0
Charting this day 1973 Tony Orlando and Dawn – Say, Has Anybody Seen My Sweet Gypsy Rose	1973	06:12	4	15/9/2025
Charting this day 1973 Olivia Newton-John – Let Me Be There	1973	06:15	9	28/9/2025
Kane Vincent – Crazy Love (Drive Me Sane)	2025	06:19	1	16/11/2025
Desert Pear – Aim To Be True	2025	06:24	0
Elisabeth Hope  – Poncho & Lefty	2025	06:27	1	23/11/2025
Johnny Gregory & His Orchestra – Fame		06:35	1	18/5/2025
Louis Prima & Keely Smith – Hey Boy! Hey Girl!	1959	06:42	2	24/8/2025
Edmundo Ros & His Orchestra – La Golondrina Tango		06:46	0
For a Listener: Cilla Black – You’re My World	1964	06:49	14	5/10/2025
Roy Orbison – I Can’t Stop Loving You	1960	06:53	1	28/2/2014
Vintage Vinyl    Kalin Twins – When	1958	06:56	1	1/10/2021
Batson Haines – Santa’s Having a Tailgate	2025	07:05	1	28/11/2025
Charting this day 1973 David Bowie – The Laughing Gnome	1973	07:11	1	23/2/2024
Charting this day 1973 Perry Como – For The Good Times	1973	07:14	6	6/4/2025
For A Listener: Gene Pitney – 24 Hours From Tulsa	1964	07:20	16	2/11/2025
Connie Kis Andersen – A Place Called Home	2025	07:23	1	28/11/2025
For a Listener: John Lennon – Happy Christmas War Is Over		07:28	14	23/11/2025
Peter Hope & His Orchestra – Yesterday Once More		07:33	1	13/6/2025
Dolli & Andy Martin – Some Things Never Change	2025	07:37	1	16/11/2025
Vintage Vinyl    Graham Kennedy & Smacka Fitzgibbon – Shine On Harvest Moon	1957	07:40	0
The Charlesys – Fun Christmas Day	2025	07:43	0
Scott McKone – Devil’s Wind		07:49	3	6/12/2024
Andre Kostelanetz & His Orchestra – The Way we Were		07:54	3	2/7/2021
Clayton Saunders – Uluru	2025	07:56	1	9/11/2025
Franky B and the Shadowriders – Soul Limbo	2025	08:05	1	23/11/2025
Charting this day 1973 Charley Pride – Me And Bobby McGee	1973	08:14	10	6/4/2025
Charting this day 1973 Jim Reeves – Am I That Easy To Forget	1973	08:18	3	9/2/2018
Greg McInnes – Beautiful Day	2025	08:21	1	28/11/2025
Richard Mulligan – Christmas In Carrantubber	2025	08:25	1	5/12/2025
Ray Malcolm – My Happiness	2025	08:29	1	28/11/2025
Henry Mancini His Piano & Orchestra – Theme From Love Story		08:36	5	21/5/2021
Peggy Gilchrist – Southern Sky	2025	08:40	3	22/6/2025
Anne Murray – Dream A Little Dream Of Me		08:45	0
Seekers – Cloudy		08:47	5	17/1/2021
Vintage Vinyl    Jerry Lee Lewis – Great Balls Of Fire	1958	08:50	3	29/9/2023
Sonny James – You Are My Sunshine	1965	08:52	1	5/12/2025
Slim Dusty & Anne – Teenage Country Style		08:55	1	5/12/2025