Hope 103.2 - 2CBA - FM 103.2 - Sydney, NSW

Our History as Australia's First Christian FM Radio Station In 1953 Reverend Vernon Turner saw the opportunity to form the Christian Broadcasting Association Limited (CBA), ... See more a non-profit company limited by guarantee. CBA began as a production organisation creating Morning Devotions, Counsellor, Rev Gordon Powell, World Church News and From the Bible among other programs. These programs were sent to commercial stations, free of charge. By the early 1960s, the staff of CBA had grown to 15 full-time paid staff and a new building had been erected at 420 Lyons Road, Five Dock to house the association. On 6 March 1960 the foundation stone was unveiled by the Governor of NSW, Lt General Sir Eric Woodward and the new building was officially opened by the Chairman of the Australian Broadcasting Control Board (ABCB) in February 1961. It contained 3 studios, 2 production booths, a record and tape library, a dispatch room, and a large office. A print shop and library were located on a lower floor. In 1956, Rev.Turner applied to the ABCB for an FM radio licence for Sydney. It was to be a 25-year wait! A detailed submission was made in 1976, including the CBA philosophy, ‘to operate an FM station to cover the Sydney metropolitan area with a quality of life and caring service, involving a personal faith in Christ plus active social concern.’ The FM103.2 licence was granted to CBA on 9 October 1978, and broadcasting commenced on 5 March 1979. In 1991, Rev.Turner was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for services to Christian broadcasting. He retired in 1996 from his active responsibility at the radio station and Salvation Army’s Major Chris Witts became its Managing Director. At that time major changes had begun to expand the station’s service to prepare it for the 21st century. By the end of 1999, the Salvation Army recalled Major Witts to its ranks and appointed him Assistant Communications Secretary & Broadcast Development Officer at its Sydney territorial headquarters. On 4 January 2000, Phillip Randall, an experienced radio manager, was appointed Managing Director of CBA. CARE 4 U (previously known as People Who Care), a 24-hour telephone counselling service, became available in February 2002. In March 2002, CBA purchased Sydney's only purpose-built radio station facility at Seven Hills from the Australian Radio Network. The facility was officially opened by Nick Farr-Jones, OAM, on 25 May 2002. It was on this date that the Board of the Christian Broadcasting Association renamed Sydney’s Christian radio station from 2CBA to FM103.2 – The Heart of Sydney. In November 2006, Rev Vernon Turner passed away after a period of poor health. He was 89 and is survived by his 7 children, 8 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. He will be remembered as the founder of FM103.2 and a great pioneer of Christian radio in Australia. On Monday December 15, 2008, FM103.2 officially became Hope 103.2 in a historic change that will move the station forward into a digital future. Our aim is to communicate the love that Jesus has for every listener. Hope 103.2 has a mix of music and uplifting program segments that aim to bring hope to many who may otherwise be closed to the Good News of the Gospel. CARE 4 U (previously known as People Who Care), our 24-hour counselling service, provides understanding advice without judgement, while offering peace and comfort to people in uncertain times. The phone number is (02) 8736 3232. Our Mission Statement: To bring hope and comfort in the Gospel message through quality of life broadcasting to as wide and varied an audience as possible.