How a 'piece of rural propaganda' became 'compulsory listening' for Aussies
Blue Hills started life as "a piece of rural propaganda" to encourage World War II servicemen to "grow better crops and increase production". It ran for 27 years on ABC radio and became an institution of Australian life.
Throughout the 1950s, Australia's Blue Hills radio drama series was a staple of regional life, with former ABC broadcaster Ian Doyle stating that one in two radios in the nation tuned in to the show at 1pm. The iconic theme music signified the end of the 27-year run on September 30, 1976. Author and playwright Gwen Meredith wrote all 5,975 episodes, creating a fictional town of Tanimbla and depicting the lives of rural families.
The show served as compulsory listening for Australians in regional areas, as it was a time when the White Australia Policy, Assimilation Policy for First Nations people, and segregation were prevalent. Blue Hills tackled social issues, such as multiracial relationships and government policies, reflecting the concerns of regional Australians during that era.
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