A vintage gramophone once used by Queensland’s first radio station has been brought back to life by volunteers at the Repair Cafe Redcliffe Peninsula before returning to ABC Brisbane.
The gramophone, estimated to be about 100 years old, originally belonged to 4QG, Queensland’s first radio station and a predecessor to ABC Radio Brisbane. In the 1920s, it was likely used to broadcast music to home listeners.
Restoration Efforts
When the gramophone’s condition deteriorated, ABC Radio Brisbane content director Matthew Connors reached out to the Repair Cafe Redcliffe Peninsula for help. A team of skilled volunteers took on the challenge of restoring the historic piece.
The volunteers from the Repair Cafe Redcliffe Peninsula spent numerous hours restoring the century-old gramophone used by Queensland’s first radio station, 4QG, in the 1920s.
Here’s how they did it:
Cleaning and Degreasing: The gramophone was found to be constructed from components sourced from different countries, including the US and Switzerland. Roger Veall, a volunteer with expertise in repairing vintage clocks, handled the technical aspects. He disassembled the parts, which had gathered grease and dirt over the years, in order to clean and reassemble them.
Replacing Missing Parts: The crank handle was absent, for example, and volunteer George Mock employed a 3D printer to create doorknobs for the cabinet. To replicate the original appearance, they fashioned a handle for the crank handle by bending a piece of rod and adding a handle to it.
Polishing and Refinishing: The team invested a lot of time refining and refurbishing the gramophone to bring it back to its original condition. They utilized paint, scrapers, sandpaper, adhesive, lubricants, degreaser, rust remover, wood filler, polish, leather, felt, and brass rod during the restoration.
Les Barkla, the head of the Repair Cafe Redcliffe Peninsula, commended the dedication of the volunteers. Roger Veall, skilled in the restoration of vintage timepieces, addressed the inner workings of the device, and George Mock utilized a 3D printer to produce new components.
After months of painstaking work, the restored gramophone was officially unveiled at the ABC Brisbane open house event at South Bank. The volunteers’ dedication and skills helped preserve this piece of history for future generations to appreciate.
Origins of the Gramophone
The gramophone, also called the phonograph, was created in the late 19th century. Despite Thomas Edison being the inventor of the first practical phonograph in 1877, utilizing a rotating cylinder covered in tinfoil, it was Emile Berliner who introduced the disc format in the late 1880s. Berliner’s innovation substituted the cylinder with a flat disc, enabling easier mass production and playback of music. This disc-based system laid the groundwork for modern record players and differentiates the gramophone from earlier recording devices.
Established in 1925, 4QG was the first radio station in Queensland and a forerunner to what would eventually become part of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). The gramophone played a vital role in the station’s operations, enabling it to broadcast music and other audio content to listeners. During its use at 4QG, operators would connect the gramophone to microphones to transmit music over the airwaves, thus making recorded music accessible to the public in their homes.
Transition to Family Heirloom
The gramophone, once used at 4QG, transformed from a broadcasting instrument into a beloved family treasure. In 1930, it was presented as a wedding present to Anne-Maree Falzon’s grandparents and was subsequently returned to the ABC following extensive renovation. This transition from a professional broadcasting tool to a cherished family keepsake underscores the emotional importance and historical relevance of the gramophone.
About Repair Cafe Redcliffe Peninsula
Repair Cafe Redcliffe Peninsula regularly meets for monthly workshops. Previous meetings were held at the Redcliffe Uniting Church, 1 Richens Street.
These are run by a group of passionate volunteers who dedicate their time to repairing your favorite items, giving them a second life and keeping them out of landfills.
Follow their Facebook Page for updates.
Published 29-July-2024
