Clubs Supporting The Centenary

The WIA Centenary Committee has inducted more activities into the celebration program for the Centenary of Organised Amateur Radio in Australia. Three new events are now WIA Support Centenary Activities. They will play their role in obtaining promotion for amateur radio, encouraging more people to consider becoming a radio amateur and highlighting the historical occasion of the Centenary.

The Gippsland Gate Radio & Electronics Club (GGREC) south-east of Melbourne in association with the Koo-Wee-Rup Swamp Historical Society and the WIA, will from the 16-18 June re-enact the first wireless press messages between the United Kingdom and Australia in 1921. GGREC President Chris Chapman VK3QB tells us this event, in addition to promoting amateur radio, will recognise the contribution that the local community made to these early days of pioneering and advancement of our country delivered by wireless telegraphy.

Another event is the 35th annual Oxley Region Amateur Radio Club Field Day at Port Macquarie New South Wales 12-13 June. Club President Henry Lundell VK2ZHE has also advised that this is the club's 40th anniversary year.

The third event is the RadioActive Amateur Radio Award for Scouts being held during the entire month of July that will promote amateur radio and the Centenary. There has been strong growth in the number of scouts and scout leaders who are radio amateurs since restructure of the licence system occurred five years ago. Scouts Australia JOTA-JOTI Coordinator Bob Bristow VK6POP said it's recognised that the WIA played a key enabling role to deliver the new era of amateur radio including the Foundation Licence. In appreciation, the radio amateur scouts are to actively supporting the WIA Centenary with an on air activity and promoting the significance of this important milestone throughout the scout movement.

Bob VK6POP said for the month of July, scouts will get on air to make contact with as many other scouts as possible and also seek QSOs with the special callsign VK100WIA. While also having fun and honing their operating skills, they can also qualify for the RadioActive Amateur Radio Award for Scouts.

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