Imagine a radio show that has been the heartbeat of rural Australia for eight decades, sharing stories of resilience, innovation, and community through the highs and lows of farming life. That’s The Country Hour, Australia’s longest-running radio program, now celebrating 80 years on air. But here’s where it gets fascinating: while farming technology and broadcasting methods have transformed dramatically since its debut in 1945, the show’s mission remains unchanged—to connect, inform, and amplify the voices of rural Australians.
On December 3, 1945, just as the world was rebuilding after World War II, former auctioneer Dick Sneddon launched the program with a simple yet powerful greeting: ‘Hello everyone, this is Dick Sneddon of The Country Hour, with a program for the farm families of Australia.’ At a time when Australian agriculture was poised to become a $100 billion industry (a milestone expected by 2025-26, according to ABARES), the show became a lifeline for returning soldiers transitioning to farming under the government’s soldier settlement scheme. These veterans were not just learning to farm—they were tasked with feeding a nation and exporting produce globally. The Country Hour was their classroom, delivering vital agricultural knowledge in an accessible, relatable way.
John Douglass, the ABC’s rural department head at the time, summed up the show’s purpose: ‘To present the countryman’s problems in such a way as to create a more sympathetic understanding between the city and the country.’ And it worked. Over time, the show evolved from a national broadcast into localized editions across states and territories, laying the foundation for what ABC Rural is today. But this is the part most people miss: it also became a daily ritual for countless Australians, like Nobby McMahon from Bairnsdale, Victoria, who told ABC Rural, ‘I listen religiously every day… it’s a great hour!’ For him, and many others, it’s more than a show—it’s a connection to the pulse of rural life, from weather updates to market reports.
But here’s the controversial bit: In an age of digital forecasts and AI-driven farming tools, why does a radio show still matter? Agronomist Greg Rummery from Walgett, NSW, argues it’s about the human touch. ‘I often dial in at 12:30 pm to catch the weather… I think it’s really important to get the human interpretation,’ he says. Farming, he explains, is unpredictable and often unforgiving, but The Country Hour fosters a ‘collaboration of thoughts’—a space where farmers can share successes, challenges, and innovations. ‘If you’ve got something going good, share that,’ Rummery urges. ‘It can only make places like Walgett better.’
Yet, rural reporting isn’t all rosy stories. Former ABC reporter Mike Pritchard, who spent over 30 years with the rural team, recalls the emotional toll of covering droughts, floods, and other disasters. ‘You can see the hardship on their faces… and you would share that story, but you could drive away… They were still left with the devastation,’ he reflects. This raises a thought-provoking question: Does reporting on rural struggles truly bridge the urban-rural divide, or does it sometimes exploit vulnerability? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.
Today, The Country Hour isn’t just a radio show—it’s a multimedia powerhouse, with ABC’s 600 rural employees filing stories for TV and online platforms. As ABC News Director Justin Stevens notes, ‘The Country Hour exemplifies the ABC’s deep and enduring connection with rural Australia.’ But as we celebrate 80 years, let’s ask: What’s next? Can a show rooted in tradition continue to innovate and stay relevant for future generations of farmers? Share your opinions—we’re listening.
