ABC Northern Tasmania turns 70 this week and is celebrating by taking a look back over seven decades of broadcasting.

7NT, as it was known when it began 70 years ago, was the first of seven regional stations in Australia to begin transmission, and the opening broadcast was a momentous occasion.

Politicians including the then Prime Minister Joseph Lyons, a Tasmanian, played a role, and newspaper reports of the time record that “thousands” across Tasmania eagerly anticipated the broadcast.

The station was established using the best technical expertise available at the time and a testament to the work is that the main transmitter at Kelso, near the mouth of the Tamar River, remains in operation 70 years later. It will, however, be decommissioned next year and replaced with a high-power stereo FM service broadcast from Mt Barrow in the North-East. A studio refit will also take place, with three Logitek Audio Engines, two Mosaic consoles and two Remora consoles to be installed in the studios.

ABC Tasmania’s Local Radio Manager, Cathy Hurley has told radioinfo: “The FM stereo transmitter will give ABC Northern Tasmania one of the best quality signals in the country, setting the station up for another 70 years”.

In 70 years the ABC has had three studios in Launceston and over that time broadcast thousands of hours of material. It’s brought listeners everything from world events to the local sports results and the all-important weather.

7NT has made household names out of presenters like Fred Fry, Ray Sangston, Kerry Finch and Graeme Denmead. Others like Tim Lane and Neville Oliver have gone on to bring the world to Tasmania through their sporting commentaries.

The station’s current lineup is David Iliffe on breakfast, Tim Cox mornings, Elaine Harris afternoons, Anne Fitzgerald drive and Annie Warburton on evenings. All presenters will feature historical segments and special OB segments to celebrate the anniversary of the station this week.