The team at Hitz939 are celebrating a major milestone this month, having clocked up 30 years on air in the Bundaberg Region.
It’s been three decades of highlights, challenges and everything in between according to General Manager Corey Pitt, who said the radio station had a proud history and strong connection to community.
“Hitz939 launched in March of 1993, becoming the first FM Radio licence in Bundaberg owned by Bundaberg Broadcasters Pty Ltd, which is now owned by Australian Radio Network,” he said.
“Hitz939 is intrinsically linked to our amazing local region, and our 22 employees all proudly call Bundaberg home.”
Corey said in the past 30 years, Hitz939 had stood by the community in the bad times and celebrated with the community through the great times.
“While a truly devastating natural disaster like the 2013 floods tore many houses apart, local radio icons like presenter Tracey Sergiacomi, along with the entire team, worked tirelessly to support those in need and helped the communication channels between those isolated and support rescue teams,” he said.
“Highlights have included the Santa’s Storage Shed promotion, providing the largest shop-local-and-win promotion in Bundaberg’s history at just under $150,000 in guaranteed prizes through the generosity of amazing advertising partners.
“Hitz Helping Hands has also provided a massive support for those in need throughout our community, and let’s not forget Sugarland Plaza Battle of the Schools, where 21 local primary schools engage in a fun quiz series over six weeks.”
Corey said the station was proud to offer a truly local program to its community.
“Rather than provide a heavily networked program schedule, Hitz939 are passionate about providing local content and entertainment to our local community,” he said.
“Monday to Friday from 6 am to 9 am sees Matty and Trace deliver a truly funny and engaging local breakfast show, followed by local Content Director, Billy Mac in the Mornings through to 12 pm, then rounding out the workday with Bundy’s Big Arvo with Brendo.”
Tracey calls Hitz home
Radio presenter Tracey Sergiacomi is a familiar voice each weekday morning and has been entertaining Hitz939 listeners for more than 14 years.
She said she was proud to be celebrating 30 years of the station’s history.
“I started working here in October in 2008 as the receptionist,” she said.
“There’s been many changes over the years; we have had different owners, different managers, different staff but the one thing that I am so happy that we have stayed live and local.
“We are live all day so if anything happens in our city we can put it straight to air.
“The immediacy of radio can be very important.”
A passionate local, Trace, along with her co-host Matty, have built a large support base of listeners together in the past six years.
She said working alongside Matty each day was a delight.
“A co host is different to a work mate, you spend a lot of time together and you have to have good chemistry otherwise it just sounds awkward on air,” she said.
“If the chemistry isn’t there the show would struggle.
“Matty and I have now been together for six years and we know each other so well.
“The biggest compliment we get is when people meet us and say ‘you guys are exactly as you are on air!’
“I have had a lot of co hosts over the years and most of them have been amazing and I still keep in contact with them to this day.”
The entire Hitz939 team is looking forward to celebrating the 30th anniversary at the Bundy Bowl and Leisure Centre on Sunday 1 April.
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