Chris Deacon, OAM, and Rodger Bean reflect on 50 years of technological change at 2XX and across community radio. Chris, tech engineer for Radio ANU and 2XX, was behind the mic welcoming listeners to the first, official 2XX broadcast on 2 July, 1976.

Chris Deacon, OAM, and Rodger Bean reflect on 50 years of technological change at 2XX and across community radio. Chris, tech engineer for Radio ANU and 2XX, was behind the mic welcoming listeners to the first, official 2XX broadcast on 2 July, 1976.

To mark 2XX’s 50th anniversary year, we’ve invited the people who have powered 2XX’s journey across 5 decades to join us on-air. Their stories trace the highs, lows, dramas and great times.

Plus, newly digitised archival recordings help chart the musical, political, social and cultural changes in Canberra and Australia since 1976.

If you were there, don’t be square. If you weren’t, you’d wish you had been!

Got questions, corrections, or anecdotes to share? Get in touch: 50years@2xxfm.org.au

Programs available via most podcast platforms.

Credits:
Mural: 2XX People Powered Radio, 2000.
Artist unknown: Please get in touch if you know who painted it.
Show music: Ole by Eme Hasche
FMA. CC BY-NC 4.0

To mark 2XX&rsquo;s 50th&nbsp;anniversary year, we&rsquo;ve invited the people who have powered 2XX&rsquo;s journey across 5 decades to join us on-air.&nbsp;Their stories trace the highs, lows, dramas and great times.
Plus, newly digitised archival recordings help chart the musical, political, social and cultural changes in Canberra and Australia since 1976.
If you were there, don&rsquo;t be square. If you weren&rsquo;t, you&rsquo;d wish you had been!
Got questions, corrections, or anecdotes to share? Get in touch: <a href="mailto:50years@2xxfm.org.au" data-linkindex="0">50years@2xxfm.org.au</a>
Programs available via most podcast platforms.
Credits:
<ul>
<li>Mural: 2XX People Powered Radio, 2000.</li>
<li>Artist unknown: Please get in touch if you know who painted it.</li>
<li>Show music: Ole by Eme Hasche</li>
<li>FMA. CC BY-NC 4.0</li>
</ul>

People Powered 50 Years

People Powered 50 Years - 10-4-2026

Liz McNiven, a Budjiti woman from the Paroo River watershed Country of south-west Queensland and north-west New South Wales, recalls her days presenting Land Rights Now and Sovereign Voices here on Radio 2XX. The show also includes audio from an interview Liz did with Wiradjuri author and activist Kevin Gilbert and excerpts from a 2XX interview with Murri singer-songwriter Kev Carmody.

Liz McNiven, a Budjiti woman from the Paroo River watershed Country of south-west Queensland and north-west New South Wales, recalls her days presenting Land Rights Now and Sovereign Voices here on Radio 2XX. The show also includes audio from an interview Liz did with Wiradjuri author and activist Kevin Gilbert and excerpts from a 2XX interview with Murri singer-songwriter Kev Carmody.

People Powered 50 Years - 29-5-2026

Arif Haque started his 2XX journey in 1976, hosting a blues music program, a genre that he is still very much drawn to. Now Chair of the Canberra Multicultural Community Forum, Arif Haque remembers a highly charged, high energy environment at 2XX full of passionate people. Hear Arif Haque's '2XX origin story', and what came after, in today's episode. 

Arif Haque started his 2XX journey in 1976, hosting a blues music program, a genre that he is still very much drawn to. Now Chair of the Canberra Multicultural Community Forum, Arif Haque remembers a highly charged, high energy environment at 2XX full of passionate people. Hear Arif Haque's '2XX origin story', and what came after, in today's episode.&nbsp;

People Powered 50 Years - 22-5-2026

Phil Williams shares his story on life, the universe and everything, starting in the 2XX newsroom in 1976.  Phil Williams is best known for his overseas reporting on ABC TV, including as ABC's Chief Foreign Correspondent. Some say his career spanned 40 years, but in reality, it’s been at least 42 and more…

Phil Williams shares his story on life, the universe and everything, starting in the 2XX newsroom in 1976.&nbsp; Phil Williams is best known for his overseas reporting on ABC TV, including as ABC's Chief Foreign Correspondent. Some say his career spanned 40 years, but in reality, it&rsquo;s been at least 42 and more&hellip;

People Powered 50 Years - 10-4-2026

In 1 playlist(s)

People Powered 50 Years

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips