In the rolling hills between Benalla and Shepparton, a dedicated group of enthusiasts keeps the golden age of radio alive. The Vintage Radio Club of North East Victoria operates as a living museum, where bakelite cabinets and glowing valves tell the story of Australia's broadcasting history.
A Monthly Pilgrimage for Radio Historians
The club's unique alternating meeting schedule:
🗓 4th Saturday monthly
📍 Benalla: Uniting Church (Cnr Carrier Sts)
📍 Shepparton: Special Needs Centre (Packham St)
⏰ 10:00am - 3:00pm (typical gathering)
Recent meetings have featured:
• 1920s crystal set demonstrations
• Restoration workshops for valve radios
• Historical talks on regional broadcasting
Hands-On Preservation
Members specialize in:
🔧 Pre-war radio restoration
📻 Valve amplifier repairs
📡 Antique transmitter preservation
🎙 Vintage microphone collections
"These radios were miracles of engineering in their day," says President Marcus Chick. "We're saving the skills needed to keep them working."
Join the Vintage Airwaves
Enthusiasts can:
1️⃣ Attend a monthly meeting (tools welcome)
2️⃣ Seek restoration advice
3️⃣ Share historical documents
Contact:
📞 03 5765 2321 (Club) / 03 5725 3276 (President)
📧 leseberg.dennis.j@gmail.com
In our digital age, this club remains a vital link to the tactile wonder of early wireless - where every repaired set whispers stories from Australia's technological past.
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Follow The Australian for more stories about historical preservation.
[Did You Know?]
The club's rural location reflects how regional Australians were often first adopters of radio technology, relying on wireless for weather reports, market prices, and connection to the wider world before telephone lines reached their properties. Many members possess rare farm radios specially built for battery operation.
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