Broome Radio (VIO)

	Radio Transmitter, 1916	Broome Radio opened on 18 August 1913 and was one of the last stations to be built by the Postmaster General's Department. Broome is located approximately 2,000 kilometres north-west of Perth, in an area which, from December to March, experiences the wet season.
	In 1913, Broome was the centre of the pearl fishing industry in Western Australia. During the wet season, fishing boats and pearling luggers were laid up and it was quite common for the town to be partially wrecked by the short, sharp storms or 'cockeye Bobs'. Station staff were an integral part of the small community and took part in its social and sporting activities. Accommodation was scarce, and for many operators and their wives, postings to places such as Broome meant painful separation from their children, who often had to be sent to city boarding schools. The 1970s were to see increased demand from shipping serving the iron-ore ports of Australia's north-west; this resulted in an expansion of activities for Broome Radio, and construction of an additional station - Carnarvon Radio (VIC).

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by: Peter (Shaggy) Shanks VIS 1982 - 1991
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