The History of Sonshine
For more than three decades, Sonshine (98.5FM) has been bringing hope, encouragement and positive entertainment to Perth and beyond. What began as a dream shared by a small group of faithful pioneers has grown into one of Western Australia’s most trusted community radio stations – powered by faith, volunteers, and listener support.
A Dream Begins (1950s–1982)
Long before Sonshine went to air, Christian broadcasting in Perth existed only as a vision.
During the 1970s, a group of committed believers – including Rod & Ruth Harris, Keith & Margaret Morgan – began praying and working toward the possibility of a Christian radio station that would share hope with the wider community. Among those laying the spiritual and organisational foundations was founding member Stan Drew, whose involvement in preparing for Christian radio ministry can even be traced back to the mid-1950s.
After 15 years of applications, prayer, and persistence, the vision finally took its first public step forward.
In 1982, Sonshine conducted its first test broadcast, led by the station’s first manager, Keith Morgan. At the time, Christian FM broadcasting was still largely unexplored in Australia, and the test transmissions marked an historic milestone for faith-based media in Perth.
Keith Morgan pioneered what would become Sonshine’s defining feature – a “mixed format” approach combining mainstream music with Christian artists in regular rotation – the first of it’s kind worldwide! This innovative style helped the station reach audiences far beyond traditional church settings.
Launching on Australia Day (1988)
Six years after the first test broadcasts, the dream became reality.
On Australia Day – January 26, 1988, Sonshine 98.5FM (call sign 6SON) officially began full-time broadcasting. While Australia celebrated its bicentenary year, Perth welcomed a new kind of radio station – one focused on positivity, faith, and community connection.
Well known Perth broadcaster, Graham Mabury, was given the honour of opening the station, during a special breakfast at the Orchard Hotel, while Barry Grosser received the momentous task of being the first to broadcast from the Morley studios.
Established by Good News Broadcasters Inc., the station launched with just a handful of staff members and a large team of dedicated volunteers. The key figures included Keith Morgan as General Manager, Barry Grosser as Program Manager and Breakfast Presenter, and they were soon joined by Phillip Randall, initially as Mornings Presenter.
Nearly two years after Sonshine went to air Keith Morgan realised his work was done and it was time to pass the torch to the next generation. Keith handed over the General Manager duties to Phillip Randall, while Barry Grosser became Station Manager – serving faithfully for 25 years and helping to shape Sonshine’s culture, programming and growth.
From the beginning, the mission was clear: reach beyond church walls and share hope with the wider community through engaging, family-friendly radio.
Rapid Growth and Community Impact
Listeners quickly embraced the station’s uplifting sound and welcoming tone. Within just three years, Sonshine reached a weekly audience of around 90,000 people – remarkable growth for a newly licensed community broadcaster.
The innovative mixed-format programming allowed Sonshine’s message to reach into homes and cars across Perth, engaging people who might never otherwise encounter Christian media.
Over time, the station built strong partnerships with churches, ministries and community organisations across Western Australia, becoming a trusted voice of encouragement and connection.
The Morley Years (1988–2009)
For its first 21 years, Sonshine broadcast from studios in Morley, developing programming that combined:
- Contemporary Christian and mainstream music
- Community interviews and local stories
- Faith conversations and practical life content
- 24-hour broadcasting focused on hope and encouragement
During this era, Sonshine also launched the CareLine, a confidential phone counselling service offering a compassionate listening ear to people facing difficult circumstances. Although CareLine later closed in 2011 due to funding challenges, it remains an important chapter in the station’s legacy of community care.
A New Era: Digital Broadcasting in Como
As technology evolved, Sonshine stepped into a new season of growth.
In 2009 – the station’s 21st anniversary – Sonshine moved into purpose-built digital studios in Como, supported in part by a $375,000 Federal Government grant to assist with the transition to digital broadcasting.
An opening celebration held at South Perth Church of Christ brought together around 500 supporters and community leaders. Western Australian Premier Colin Barnett shared a congratulatory message, while Perth broadcaster Graham Mabury officially opened the complex – reprising the role he performed at Sonshine’s original launch in 1988.
The new facilities enabled expanded broadcasting capabilities and prepared the station for a digital future.
Celebrating Milestones and Looking Forward
By its 25th anniversary, Sonshine had grown from a small volunteer-led operation into a station reaching hundreds of thousands of listeners each week through FM radio and online streaming.
Station leadership described the journey as “a generation of hope,” while looking ahead to expanding digital platforms and extending Sonshine’s reach beyond traditional broadcasting.
Throughout its history, countless listeners have shared stories of finding encouragement, community, and renewed faith through Sonshine’s programming.
Sonshine Today
Today, Sonshine broadcasts to more than 350,000 people each month across multiple platforms, ensuring hope-filled radio is accessible wherever listeners are.
Our services now include:
- Sonshine on 98.5FM across the Perth metropolitan area
- Sonshine on DAB+ digital radio
- Sonshine Extra, our 100% Christian music station, available on DAB+
- Worldwide streaming via the Sonshine website
- Listening on the Sonshine App, available on iOS and Android devices
This multi-platform approach allows Sonshine to reach listeners at home, in the car, at work, and around the world – continuing the original vision of sharing hope far beyond physical boundaries.
Programming today features uplifting music from the 1980s through today, engaging conversations, community guests, and faith-based encouragement designed to help listeners feel connected and supported.
Our guiding theme – “Wholeheartedly Connected” – reflects our ongoing mission to connect people with hope, faith, and each other.
The Story Continues
From decades of prayer from the 1950s, to test broadcasts in 1982, to a full-time launch in 1988,
to digital and global broadcasting today…
Sonshine’s story has always been about people – listeners, volunteers, supporters and pioneers who believed radio could be a source of hope.
And the next chapter is still being written.