IARU national radio society
to celebrate its centenary

The Wireless Institute of Australia turns 100 next year making it the world’s oldest National Radio Society.

WIA President Michael Owen VK3KI says he wants the world-wide amateur radio community to join in the celebration.

In the October edition of the WIA’s Amateur Radio magazine he announces a program that includes a special callsign VK100WIA that will be operated next May by the WIA, and then by many affiliated clubs around Australia for the next five months.

A commemorative QSL card will be issued for contacts with VK100WIA between May and October next year.

A limited edition operating award, called the WIA Centenary Award is also to be available and two contacts with VK100WIA are required under its rules.

A program of events will occur around the WIA’s annual meeting in the nation’s capital Canberra in May 2010, while radio clubs are planning events to promote the centenary of organised amateur radio in Australia.

It all began in 1910 with a meeting of wireless pioneers in Sydney to protect their interests and rights against what they considered to be harsh treatment by authorities and a high licence fee.

The Wireless Institute of Australia has continued since to protect and enhance the privileges of radio amateurs and to promote amateur radio.

Details of the centenary program can be found on the WIA website www.wia.org.au (from 3 October).