Rural reporters across Australia marked 80 years of the Country Hour with a whole day dedicated to outside broadcasts, crosses into News Breakfast and the News Channel, and capped off with 7pm coverage that evening.Â
It came off the back of a special edition of Landline focusing on the origins and legacy of the state-based programs, and the airwaves were inundated with memories and well-wishes from the dedicated and appreciative audience.
A comment from one dedicated listener, Michael Hayden, sums up the audience’s feelings.
“I have been a Country Hour listener since going to live in Port Hedland in the Pilbara region of WA in 1971. Still listening here in Kiama. So big congrats to all the various statewide Country Hour presenters. May I recommend that all our city-based communities start adding the Country Hour to their podcasts.“
A national edition of The Country Hour was broadcast from the Parliament House, Canberra, hosted by Victorian Country Hour presenter Warwick Long and Kallee Buchanan from Queensland, with guests including rural industry leader Georgie Somerset.
During live broadcasts, the Country Hours teams discussed the show’s beginnings and its initial aim to communicate agricultural information to the new generation of post-World War II farmers.
At events around the country, farmers, listeners and local industry figures joined in the live broadcast.
In Victoria, Warwick Long, with Angus Verley, Justine Longmore, and Jane McNaughton, broadcast live from Rupanyup’s Woods Heritage Museum, with listeners discovering how their favourite radio program is put together. Â LISTEN
Victorian Country Hour presenter Warwick Long with Angus Verley, Justine Longmore and Jane McNaughton.
The New South Wales team broadcast from the Tamworth Agricultural Institute Training Centre. LISTEN
NSW Country Hour presenter Michael Condon with former rural reporters Kristy Reading and Jenny Bailey, and current rural reporters Amelia Bernasconi and Lara Webster.Â
Tasmanian Country Hour presenter, Tony Briscoe, joined with his guests at the Broadmarsh outside broadcast about an hour out of Hobart, while reporter Laurissa Smith was at Elisabeth Town in Northern Tasmania at the Ashgrove cheesery and dairy. LISTEN
Tasmanian Country Hour presenter Tony Briscoe with his guests at the Broadmarsh outside broadcast about an hour out of Hobart.
In South Australia, the team heard from Freeling farmer Corbin Schuster about growing up with the Country Hour. He said:Â
“You would get in trouble for talking at church on a Sunday, but you would get in even more trouble if you were talking during the weather on the Country Hour any day of the week.“
 LISTEN
South Australia Country Hour presenter Cassie Hough with guests John Lush and Annabelle Homer.
The Northern Territory Country Hour had guests including  NT farming legend Ian Baker, who reflected on the growth of northern agriculture. Favourite historian from Alice Springs, Alex Nelson, explained the role Darwin’s wharves played for the cattle industry in the years after World War II. And Romy Carey from the NT Cattlemen’s Association spoke about what’s next for the industry that underpins northern agriculture. LISTEN
NT Country Hour presenter Matt Brann speaks with Romy Carey, CEO of the NT Cattlemen’s Association.
The Queensland Country  Hour team delved into the history of the program from a live broadcast from the Queensland Museum Cobb+Co, Toowoomba. LISTEN
The WA Country Hour marked the day with a special program . LISTEN
