3AW is a talkback radio station based in Melbourne, Australia, owned by Tapt Media. It broadcasts on 693 kHz AM. It began transmission on 22 February 1932 as Melbourne's fifth commercial radio station.If one counts Noel Pamberton Billing's 3PB (1925-26) which was a Melbourne commercial radio station that was only on the air for four months, then 3AW would be Melbourne's sixth commercial station.
History 3AW was established when a company formed by Allans Music, JC Williamson's and David Syme (then publishers of The Age newspaper) was granted a radio broadcasting licence, with the first broadcast on 22 February 1932. The A in 3AW comes from the names of "Allans" and "The Age"; and the W is from "J. C. Williamson".
It is the only one of Melbourne's original eight stations that has retained its original name. (In comparison, Sydney, the only other Australian city with eight original stations had, until 2022, five of them still using their original names, but there are now only three such stations, namely 2GB, 2SM, 2UE.)
3AW has consistently appeared high in ratings surveys.Jones, Colin, "Something in the Air: A History of Radio in Australia", Kangaroo Press, 1995
In 1931/1932, 3AW was one of two organisations that applied for a licence for a new Melbourne radio station; the other contender being the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne. At the time, the Postmaster-General's Department was responsible for the issuing of all radio station licences, and it came out in favour of the 3AW application on the grounds that it had recently issued a licence to 2SM Sydney, on behalf of the Roman Catholic Church. However, a condition was placed on the 3AW licence to the effect that they had to provide one hour of free broadcasting to the Roman Catholic Church, at a time decided upon by the Church; hence The Catholic Hour was broadcast every Sunday night at was then a peak listening time, namely 9.00pm.
The fact that The Catholic Hour was originally broadcast in peak listening time is emphasised by the fact the program was preceded by two of Australia's most listened-to programs, namely Quiz Kids and Caltex Radio Theatre
In latter years, the nostalgia program Remember When was broadcast both prior to, and after The Catholic Hour. Therefore, in the 1990s (confirmation needed) 3AW management, ignorant of its history, decided to scrap The Catholic Hour and let Remember When continue right through the evening. Not surprisingly, the Church objected and the Australian Communications and Media Authority was called in to adjudicate. Their compromise decision was that the program should continue, but that the time should be decided upon by 3AW rather than by the Church. Not surprisingly 3AW moved the program to an hour that had the least listeners of every time in the week; namely midnight to 1.00am on Sunday mornings. This meant that there were hardly any listeners to the program and, within just a few months, the Church scrapped The Catholic Hour altogether!
In 1938 the Macquarie Broadcasting Service was formed, with stations right across Australia, including 3AW in Melbourne. In 2015 the Macquarie Media Group was acquired by Fairfax Media and the name was changed to Nine Radio.
3AW's first studio was situated in His Majesty's Theatre from whence it broadcast from 1932 to 1935.
The 3AW studios are now located at Media House, 655 Collins Street, Melbourne where it shares facilities with Magic 1278, the Australian Financial Review and The Age newspapers. After moving from their original studios at His Majesty's Theatre, the station was re-sited at 382 Latrobe Street, where it remained for most of the next 55 years. However, during renovations at 382 Latrobe Street, 3AW moved into the former premises of the ABC in Melbourne Place, a laneway off Russell Street, near Little Collins Street, which is now the premises of the Kelvin Club. Then, from 1991 until March 2010, the station broadcast from studios located at Bank Street, South Melbourne.
3AW's original broadcast frequency was 1425 kHz and changed to 1280 kHz on 1 September 1935 as part of a national reshuffle of the radio broadcasting spectrum. On 23 November 1978 the station changed to 1278 kHz with the introduction of 9 kHz spacing on the AM band. Due to poor reception problems, at 7:15 am on 1 May 2006, 3AW swapped with its sister station Magic to its present frequency of 693 kHz. The station's broadcast signal originates from a transmitter in Werribee.
In the 1950s, 3AW purchased 3CV in Maryborough in Central Victoria, which the "CV" nomenclature represents. For many years, 3AW programming was broadcast on 3CV after about 6.00pm.
Broadcasters Darren James has hosted weekend morning programs for 34 years Ross Stevenson has been at the station for 32 years. Russel Howcroft has hosted 3AW Breakfast for 5 years. Peter "Grubby" Stubbs has hosted weekend afternoons for 14 years.
A number of people spent many years at 3AW in the past. Most of these are on the "3AW presenters" list (see "External Links" below). They include: Philip Brady was with the station for 35 years (1971, 1990–2025) hosting Nightline and Remember When with Bruce Mansfield and Simon Owens. Neil Mitchell was with the station for 36 years (1987–2023) and filled a number of roles and hosted Mornings for 34 years. On 1 September 2023, Mitchell announced that he would retire on 1 December 2023 and this has occurred. (3AW announced that Tom Elliott, Tony Moclair and Jacqueline Felgate will host Mornings, Afternoons and Drive from January 2024 following Neil Mitchell's retirement.) David McGee who spent 31 years at 3AW, 1955–1986 Geoff Manion's 29 years (1956–1985), Martha Gardener who was at the station for 30 years, from 1952 to 1982 Norman Banks, 26 years, 1952–1978 Football commentator Rex Hunt was with the station from 1989 to 2009 and again 2017–2021 The Revd. Alex Kenworthy presented the Nightline program for 20 years, 1971–1991 Fred Tupper was responsible for sporting and general programming, including the Nicky & Tuppy breakfast session, during his 21 years at the station, 1933–1954 One of 3AW's announcers when the station commenced in 1932 was John Masters who presented a request program, Choice of the People for many years. 30 minute segments of Choice of the People were broadcast at various times throughout the day. A photo in the 1987 history of the stationCampion, Margaret, 3AW is Melbourne. 75 Years of Radio, Prime Advertising Marketing Publishing, 1987; page 20 shows that he was a member of the original 1932 broadcasting staff; and then there is a website that highlights the fact that he was still broadcasting in 1951, 19 years later; memories from listeners (not substantiated) show that his career continued for over a decade after that Peter James (father of Darren James) was with the station for at least 18 years (1959–1987), although some sources suggest that he was with the station for at least 20 years. Derryn Hinch broadcast at a number of radio and television stations and was at 3AW from 1979 to 1987, 2000–2001 and again from 2003 to 2012, a total of 23 years. However, he was often off the air (particularly during his last stint) due to suspension, poor health and house arrest. Harry Beitzel was a football commentator on 3AW for 17 years, from 1972 to 1989, and in 2005 he rejoined 3AW as a semi-regular contributor to Rex Hunt's pre-match show. Clifford Nicholls Whitta, or Nicky Whitta, usually referred to as Nicky Nicholls or simply Nicky, was at 3AW from 1932 to 1946. Whilst he may not have been at 3AW for as long a period as that of some of his confreres, he played an important role at the station. He presented the Nicky and Tuppy breakfast session with Fred Tupper (see above), and was also the name behind the extremely popular children's session which commenced in 1933. His partner in the children's session was Kathleen Lindgreen who broadcast under the name Nancy Lee. In 1935 Nicky and Kathleen Lindgreen were married.Nicky broadcast from a number of other radio stations, including 3UZ - it was here, in the early 1950s, that he gave a young record boy, Graham Kennedy an on-air role, and this was the beginning of Kennedy's illustrious career. * * *
Charitable Appeals Royal Women's Hospital During the 1950s, 60s & 70s, most Melbourne commercial radio stations conducted annual appeals for a specific charity. In 3AW's case, every Mother's Day, an appeal was conducted for the Royal Women's Hospital, with donations acknowledged on air. In latter years, former announcer Ray Chapman had control of the appeal as a full-time paid position with 3AW.
Royal Children's Hospital The annual Good Friday appeal for the Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne commenced in 1931, and was a minor event with small sums raised each year. However, when 3DB became involved in 1942, and began acknowledging donations on air, the amounts raised increased in one year by about 800%. 3DB and its successors 3TT and 101.1 TT-FM continued to support the appeal for a few years. However, 3AW has been the radio outlet for the appeal for a number of years now. 3AW works closely on the appeal with the main media outlet HSV 7.
Technical innovations In April 2007, 3AW introduced cameras into their main studio so that fans, via the 3AW website, can watch the program being broadcast, as well as listen. The cameras do not operate during news services, commercial breaks, or outside broadcasts.
In August 2009, 3AW "went digital", offering a superior quality sound and other features, for those with digital receivers. Stations utilising the digital signal can also offer multi-channels and interactive features. The digital format used in Australia is DAB+, reportedly a superior technology to other digital formats. the digital signal is not rebroadcast in road tunnels like the AM signal and does not have the distance range of AM.
In October 2011 (iPhone) and mid-2012 (Android), 3AW introduced an application (App) for smartphones or tablets. The application allows users to listen to the current program, read or listen to current news articles, get weather updates, contact the station via phone, email, Twitter or Facebook and also has an alarm clock feature.
3AW Football (AFL) 3AW Football is the brand under which 3AW broadcasts Australian rules football and the station broadcasts football on all AFL match days.
3AW Football dates back to 1953, and legendary commentators such as Norman Banks and Harry Beitzel have spent time calling games at 3AW. Rex Hunt called football at 3AW for 21 years before moving to rival Triple M in 2010.
Matthew Lloyd and Dr Peter Larkins joined 3AW Football in 2012. The team for 2013 also had a number of changes,3AW reveal footy team for 2013 season | Radio Today. Retrieved 15 February 2013 Stephen QuartermainCameron Ling joins 3AW broadcast team | Herald Sun 11 March 2013. Retrieved 1 April 2013 called on weekends, alongside either Tim Lane or Tony Leonard and the expert commentators. Cameron Ling has an expert commentary role interchangeably on Friday nights, Saturday afternoons and Sunday afternoons.
2014 saw the departure of Stephen Quartermain, and the recruitment of Nathan Brown as a ball-by-ball commentator for Saturday night and Sunday twilight matches. +Current 3AW Football team (2026)CommentatorsExpertsBoundaryJournalistsAnthony HudsonLeigh MatthewsJacqui ReedCaroline WilsonBruce EvaMatthew LloydAbbie McKaySam McClureMatt GranlandJimmy BartelJoel SelwoodRohan ConnellyTim LaneMatthew RichardsonLibby BirchEddie SummerfieldTony LeonardTony ShawEddie SummerfieldLaura SpurwayShane McInnesRory SloaneSpiro Christopoulos (NSW)Libby BirchPaddy Sweeney (WA)
Former 3AW Football team members (not a complete list)
Norman Banks [one of the first 3AW commentators] (1953–1960s) Harry Beitzel (1972–1989) Bill Jacobs Ian Johnson [one of the first 3AW commentators] Doug Heywood Mike Williamson Clinton Grybas (2000–2007)