4BU Radio Station building
| 4BU Radio Station building | |
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_(1999).jpg)
4BU Radio Station building, used as a restaurant, 1999
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| Location | 55 Woongarra Street, Bundaberg, Bundaberg Region, Queensland, Australia |
| Coordinates | 24°52′02″S 152°20′54″E / 24.8672°S 152.3483°ECoordinates: 24°52′02″S 152°20′54″E / 24.8672°S 152.3483°E |
| Design period | 1940s - 1960s (post-World War II) |
| Built | 1957 |
| Architect | Herbert Stuart-Nairne |
| Architectural style(s) | Modernism |
| Official name: 4BU Radio Station (former), The Strand Cafe/Restaurant | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 28 July 2000 |
| Reference no. | 601284 |
| Significant period | 1957 (fabric) 1950s-1990s (historical, social) |
| Significant components | safe, garage, steps/stairway, studio - artist's / craftsman's |
 Location of 4BU Radio Station building in Queensland
Location of 4BU Radio Station building in Queensland
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4BU Radio Station is a heritage-listed former radio station building at 55 Woongarra Street, Bundaberg, Bundaberg Region, Queensland, Australia. It was designed by Herbert Stuart-Nairne and built in 1957. It is also known as The Strand Cafe/Restaurant. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 28 July 2000.
The former 4BU building was constructed in 1957 to a design by architect, Herbert Stuart-Nairne.
Following a meeting in April 1935 at the offices of Wyper Bros. Ltd, the company of Bundaberg Broadcasters Pty Ltd was incorporated on 24 July in the same year. Broadcasting commenced on 16 December 1935, with a compliment of seven advertisers and a PMG licence at a cost of £25. The chairman of directors, Mr W Harvey, along with the co-directors, Colonel Christensen and Mr R Curtis, adhered strictly to a policy catering for all tastes in entertainment.
The transmitter and studio equipment were purchased for just over £1500. The studios of 4BU were located in a building leased from Wyper Bros. Ltd. During World War II, regular programs for Bundaberg and district troops in New Guinea and adjacent islands were provided. In 1938, two acres of land was purchased at Kalkie for a fee of £50. Later that year a further area was purchased so that Bundaberg Broadcasters Pty Ltd could install an antenna, having received consent to increase power from 200 to 500 watts. This consent was given in 1937, a small fibro cottage was supplied for the engineer so that he could live on site and be on call should problems occur.
During the 1930s and for many years broadcasting consisted of live stage plays, revues and concerts. The new transmitter station opened at Kalkie in June 1938. In 1941, the lease for the studios was extended for a further three years and in May of that year the old piping was dismantled. Until 1939, power for transmitting was supplied by a generator owned by Bundaberg Broadcasters Pty Ltd. It was not until 25 May 1939 that power was connected to the Kalkie site from the city electricity supply. In December 1943, a further lease and an offer to purchase was placed on the studios. This building was known as "The Radio Building". As the industry of the wireless grew so 4BU followed suit. Prior to having their building constructed, 4BU rented premises from the Bundaberg City Council. With an ever increasing listening audience and updates in technology, Bundaberg Broadcasters decided to construct a new building.
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