It all began as the bold, student-led community radio station housed at the University of Queensland back in 1975. Now, 4ZZZ still stands as one of the most enduring voices in Australian media – playing a major role in shaping the music, cultural and political scene of this city and beyond since the very start.

This year, join Brisbane’s own 4ZZZ as we celebrate 50 years of broadcasting boundary-pushing music, news, culture and activism!

Now based in our iconic studios on Barry Parade in Fortitude Valley, 4ZZZ has been at the beating heart of Queensland’s counterculture since day one. Born out of resistance in the hyper-conservative Bjelke-Petersen era, the driving force behind the station’s inception were disenfranchised young people taking action and forming an alternative where their voices could be heard.

Since its beginnings at the University of Queensland, 4ZZZ has been a thriving hub of activists, artists, musicians, and journalists; everything from weird and wonderful creatives to frontline advocators of political and social change. We’ve been your soundtrack to protest rallies, late-night adventures, underground gigs and social revolutions.

We’ve built a fiercely independent community of thousands of volunteers, artists and listeners who keep the spirit of community radio alive.

4ZZZ Chairperson Ruth Gardner said: “This is more than a birthday—it’s a tribute to everyone who’s ever tuned in, turned up, or taken part.”

Now, as we reach our half-century milestone, we’re gearing up for 4 months of festivities to celebrate this massive achievement!

From August 8th to December 8th, we’re rolling out a series of events that honour not only fifty years of independent music and media, but also our vastcommunity of volunteers and supporters. Think:

Live gigs, First Nations programming, one-day festivals and boat parties

Programming specials and reunions featuring Zedders past and present

Poster exhibitions from decades of DIY art and activism

Panels, talks, book launches and dinners

Bushwalks and community outside broadcasts

From the weird to the wonderful, from grassroots reporting to genre-bending soundscapes, this is your chance to celebrate Queensland’s longest-running FM station, still proudly community-owned and volunteer-powered after 50 fearless years.

The 4ZZZ50 birthday campaign reaffirms the station’s steadfast community focus by involving subscribers, listeners, and supporters, with an invitation to submit an original letter ‘Z’. The contributions will be pasted on the city’s walls and posted across the web.

4ZZZ, with dissident design studio Inkahoots, are calling for a ‘Z’ created in any medium, dashed off or painstakingly constructed — a creative birthday present for  Australia’s first community broadcaster, from our community.

Join us for the ride – and help shape the next fifty.

Here’s to 50 years of Zed. And 50 more to come.

50thbirthday@4zzz.org.au or 0404 030 179

For event announcements and more info, head to 4zzz.org.au

#4ZZZ50#4ZZZTurns50 #ZedIsNotDead #50YearsOfZed