4MBS has been the home of Queensland’s classical arts since 1979!
Here is a timeline of our adventures over the last 45 years and counting…
Humble Beginnings
1977 – The Music Broadcasting Society of Queensland Ltd formed to apply for a community radio FM licence to broadcast fine music in Brisbane.
1979 – An FM licence was granted and 4MBS FM went to air on 1st March 1979 – the first classical music FM station in Brisbane. The studios were at the Kelvin Grove College of Advanced Education. Initially we broadcast for limited hours a day until we could build up the volunteer base. Within a few years we were broadcasting 24 hours a day.
1989 – 4MBS Classic FM won two Australian Music Centre Awards for our contribution to Australian Music.
A New Home for 4MBS – The current Coorparoo station has been home to 4MBS since late 1993
1994 – 4MBS holds its first Festival of Classics. We also are awarded Best Radio Entertainment from the Community Broadcasting Association of Australia (CBAA) Award.
1996 – 4MBS receives the CBAA Award for Best Regular Series Music Lover’s Choice.
1997 – 4MBS receives the CBAA Award for Best Special Music Program.
In 1998 4MBS built and opened its very own Performance Studio, with a seating capacity of 60 people and its own grand piano!
2001 and 2003 – 4MBS receives the CBAA Award for Contribution to Local Music.
2004 – 4MBS Classic FM named Australia’s Radio Station of the Year at the CBAA Awards.
2004 – 4MBS Ticketing Service commences operation.
2005 – CBAA Award for Radio Contribution to Local Music 2006 – 4MBS Concert Recording Team receives an ABAF Award.
2007 – Silver Memories radio station goes to air to address social isolation in the aged.
2007 – 4MBS Brisbane Shakespeare Festival starts in Bulimba.
2009 – 4MBS Brisbane Shakespeare Festival starts in Sandgate.
2010 – 4MBS partners with QPAC and QMF to present Havergal Brian’s Gothic Symphony.
2011 – 4MBS receives the Matilda Award for AMADEUS and a CBAA Award for Excellence in Music Programming.
2014 – CBAA Award for Best New Radio Program.
2014 – MBS Light goes to air playing light, popular classics and jazz.
2014 – 4MBS Brisbane Shakespeare Festival starts in Newstead.
2015 – Silver Memories distributed nationally via satellite.
2015 – Silver Memories Finalist in International Dementia Awards.
2015 – CBAA Award for Best Australian Music Program.
2016 – CBAA Award for Excellence in Community Participation.
2017 – Tony Staley Award, the highest award in community broadcasting –– for Outstanding Contribution to Community Broadcasting.
2018 – CBAA Award for Excellence in Community Engagement for 4MBS Festivals.
2019 – Silver Memories App launches for Apple iPads. MBS Light receives CBAA Award for Excellence in Outside Broadcasting on World Jazz Day.
2020 – Silver Memories App launches for Android tablets.