CATH NEWS REPORT: Catholic radio station 2SM's climb to prominence in Sydney through the 1960s and 1970s was largely propelled by one man, Kevin O'Donohue, who died recently at the age of 76.
The station became a broadcasting powerhouse. Apart from its news and community broadcasts, 2SM's programming reflected its ownership by the Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney.
One of two licences awarded to religious organisations in 1929, it was taken up after some hesitation by Monsignor Meany of St Mark's Church in Drummoyne (hence the "SM" - not St Mary's, as is often quoted).
Broadcasting the Angelus three times a day did not, station management believed, add lustre to 2SM's appeal as a modern radio station and the archdiocese agreed to drop it.
But the station continued to pay more than just lip service to its archdiocese ownership with religious programming, produced in-house, airing on Sunday nights and at Easter.O'Donohue and announcer John Brennan went to the US in search of a new format, returning with the Good Guys concept, launched with great fanfare in September 1963.
Comments