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There are far less audio logs available for the SWRFM period spanning 1994 through to 2000. Indeed there are no audio logs whatsoever covering the two tests conducted from Whalan Community Centre.
The period from 1995 includes “the Greenhouse years” when SWRFM entered the Weekend Testing era with studios at “the Greenhouse” Rooty Hill with transmitter located first at Mt Druitt TAFE and then Space Probe, Australia’s Wonderland. Despite the austerity of these times, a number of notable logs of this era still exist.
Cities Marathon
This event was held in July 1999. Because the SWR Greenhouse studio had by this point become a workplace and biological hazard, it was decided to establish a completely separate “studio” in the revolving restaurant of Blacktown Workers’ Club. For full details of this crazy event, see the SWR History files on their web site.
Inphase
The venerable SWRFM Stalwart. Here’s an example of what it sounded like back in 1997. Notable for the number of faults that clearly existed in the SWR studio during this era prior to the move to the Showgrounds site where SWR operates today. Once it was discovered that the Greenhouse studio was doomed to be demolished to make way for the Olympics, nobody could be bothered to fix it or even clean it
Joe’s Garage
1998 heralded the era of full time test broadcastingat SWRFM. To fill programming gaps before computers came on to the scene, HiFi VCR’s were used to play out pre recorded programs when nobody was at the studio. Joe Di Georgio’s “Joe’s Garage” show always kept everyone glued to the radio whenever it came on. Joe still trades in the Garage today at Hi Comp Performance engines, Minchinbury.
Mark Boerebach / Leigh Zaghet
These two names were synonymous with SWRFM in the late 1990s. Here’s an example of what they got up to together:
SWR Marketown O/B – February 1996
This log is significant in that it was the last time SWR’s “Crossbar link” analog broadcast line technology was ever used – anywhere. The quality of the line (which transferred the audio over 12km between Marketown and the Greenhouse studios) was exceptional – amazing when you consider this performance was squeezed out of regular, public switched telephone lines and cost $0.25 to set up.
It also includes a “grab bag” of broadcasters who were actively involved in SWRFM at the time including Leigh Zaghet, Rob & Dale “Hog City, Peter Cunningham and others.
Only two months later the 24,000 line Rooty Hill crossbar exchange was cut over to digital, forever consigning the “crossbar link” concept to history.
Nude Natterings
Brings a new meaning to “Photos or it didn’t happen”. Sometime in 1998, Paul Matthews and George Zamroz presented this show live to air from the Greenhouse studios – entirely naked.
“No big deal” you may say nowadays, until you consider Ranjith Charles’ arrival to commence the following program. Ranjith remains with SWRFM today as it’s Treasurer and more than 25 years later, can still recall that night.
Powerzone
Lloyd Bunting was there right from SWRM’s very first test in January 1992 and would regularly provide pre recorded content in the form of his famous “Powerzone” show:
The Power Rangers Show
Back in 1994, soon after commencement of operations at the Greenhouse, Paul landed a job on the Power Rangers movie. A very young Leigh Zaghet joins him in this Saturday night special, dedicated to the spandex clad heroes and what was happening around Sydney at the time for filming the movie. ’90s Community Radio madness at it’s best.