Gold 104.3

{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2017}} {{Use Australian English|date=August 2017}} {{more citations needed|date=April 2010}} {{Infobox radio station | logo = Gold1043 2025 logo Melbourne.svg | logo_size = 200px | format = Adult contemporary | former_callsigns = 3KZ (1930–1990) | callsign = 3KKZ | former_names = KZFM (1990–1991) | former_frequencies = {{ubl|1350 kHz (1930–1935)|1180 kHz (1935–1978)|1179 kHz (1978–1990)}} | operator = | owner = ARN Media | licensee = KZFM Radio Pty Ltd | name = GOLD104.3 | city = Melbourne, Victoria | branding = GOLD104.3 | frequency = {{frequency|104.3|MHz}} and DAB+ | airdate = {{Start date|1930|12|8|df=yes}} | language = English | erp = 56 kW | country = AU | acma_bsl = 4143 | licensing_authority= ACMA | callsign_meaning = 3 for Victoria plus KKZ from former KKz | affiliations = GOLD Network | sister_stations = KIIS 101.1 | webcast = | website = {{URL|www.gold1043.com.au}}}}

'''GOLD104.3''' (call sign: '''3KKZ''') is a radio station broadcasting in Melbourne, Australia. It is part of ARN Media's Gold Network and broadcasts on the 104.3 MHz frequency.

==History== ===3KZ=== 3KZ commenced operations on 8 December 1930.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article4233183|title=3KZ at Trades Hall|newspaper=The Argus|date=9 December 1930|page=3|access-date=25 April 2010}}</ref> The radio station was initiated by the Industrial Printing and Publicity Group as a means of spreading its message, and in the station's early years, it was broadcast from the Victorian Trades Hall.<ref>{{cite web |title=History of Trades Hall |url=http://ergo.slv.vic.gov.au/explore-history/fight-rights/workers-rights/history-trades-hall |website=Ergo |publisher=State Library of Victoria |access-date=1 December 2018}}</ref>

Its original frequency was 1350 kHz, moving to 1180 kHz on 1 September 1935. The frequency changed again on 23 November 1978 to 1179 kHz when all Australian AM radio stations were assigned new frequencies as part of the new 9 kHz spacing plan.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article17184965|title=New Wave Lengths|newspaper=Sydney Morning Herald|date=30 August 1935|page=11|access-date=25 April 2010}}</ref>

In 1989, 3KZ was one of two successful bidders to convert to the FM band.

===KZFM=== As a result of winning an FM licence, 3KZ moved to 104.3 MHz on 1 January 1990.<ref>[https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/240622158 Broadcasting Act 1942: Notices under subsections 89T (2) and (6)] ''Commonwealth of Australia Gazette'' 3 July 1991 page 2119</ref> The station relaunched as KZFM, despite the station's official call sign of 3KKZ, carrying over its successful "Hits And Memories" positioner, with some changes to presentation style. KZFM was simulcasted on both 1179 kHz and 104.3 MHz frequencies for one month before the old AM frequency was closed down, to be later reassigned (after 12 months) to 3RPH.

The KZ switch to FM paid immediate short term dividends, as the new KZFM debuted at number one in the first ratings survey of 1990,<ref>{{cite news|title=FM Converts Find the Punt Pays Fff|first=Lea|last=Wright|page=34|newspaper=Sydney Morning Herald|date=19 April 1990|access-date=25 Apr 2010|url=http://newsstore.fairfax.com.au/apps/viewDocument.ac?docID=news900418_0108_8059}}</ref> breaking an almost three-year dominance by Fox FM.<ref>{{cite news|title=Ho Hum. 2MMM Tops the Ratings Again|first=Kevin|last=Sadlier|page=126|newspaper=The Sun-Herald|location=Sydney, Australia|date=8 April 1990|access-date=25 Apr 2010|url=http://newsstore.fairfax.com.au/apps/viewDocument.ac?docID=news900407_0160_6079}}</ref> However KZFM's success was short-lived, with ratings soon taking a dive and the station going into receivership in 1993.<ref>{{cite news|title=How Gold Turned To Red Ink For FM Oldies Pioneer|first=Deborah|last=Brewster|department=Business|page=17|newspaper=The Age|location=Melbourne, Australia|date=3 March 1994|access-date=26 Apr 2010|url=http://newsstore.fairfax.com.au/apps/viewDocument.ac?docID=news940303_0210_6892}}</ref> Austereo purchased the station to supplement Fox FM. After Austereo merged with Triple M, KZFM was sold to Wesgo in 1995 to comply with Trade Practices Commission laws that allowed one organisation to only own two radio stations in the same market.<ref>[https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/132459988 FM station sold] ''Canberra Times'' 18 January 1995 page 27</ref>

===GOLD104.3=== On 7 October 1991, the KZFM branding was replaced with a new name of Gold 104 with a revamped playlist predominantly of hit songs from the 1960s and 1970s, under the banner "Good Times, Great Oldies". After the change in ownership with the Australian Radio Network, Gold became stable enough to re-build its market position, and return much of its heritage style from its days as 3KZ to the on-air presentation of the station. The original Gold 104 presenters were Shawn Cosgrove, Liz Sullivan, Gavin Wood, Craig Huggins, Bruce Neels and Phil Baildon.

GOLD104.3 and sister station KIIS 101.1 broadcast from shared facilities, in the Pelaco Building in the Melbourne suburb of Richmond.<ref>[https://www.gold1043.com.au/about-us/contact-and-complaints/ Contact & Complaints] GOLD104.3</ref> In January 2015, the station has gradually shifted from classic hits to a more contemporary format that now predominantly focuses on hits from the 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000s, and 2010s; the 1960s songs has officially discontinued. The slogan changed from "Good Times and Great Classic Hits" to "Real music, real variety / Pure Gold" and later "Better Music and More of It" in 2017.

On 2 January 2025, the station refreshed its on-air presentation with a new slogan: "Just Great Songs" and plays more hits from the 1980s, 1990s, 2000s and 2010s. Craig "Huggy" Huggins was the last of the original line up to leave after 34 years, in July 2025 although remains as a fill-in announcer on Gold104.3.

The current presenters include Christian O'Connell, Dave Higgins, Toni Tenaglia and Jonesy & Amanda.

==Breakfast shows since 1999== * April 1999 – December 2011 – ''Grubby & Dee Dee for Breakfast''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://mumbrella.com.au/grubby-and-dee-dee-axed-from-melbournes-gold104-3-fm-67358|title = Grubby and Dee Dee axed from Melbourne's Gold104.3 FM|website=Mumbrella|date = 2 December 2011}}</ref> * January 2012 – December 2015 – ''Brig & Lehmo for Breakfast''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.radiotoday.com.au/brig-a-lehmo-re-sign-to-gold/|title = Brig & Lehmo re-sign to Gold|date = 21 November 2012}}</ref> * January 2016 – December 2017 – ''Jo & Lehmo for Breakfast''<ref name="Jo-Gold-RT">{{cite news|title= Jo Stanley Confirmed for Gold104.3|url=http://www.radiotoday.com.au/news/whats-new/8074-jo-stanley-confirmed-for-gold104-3.html|access-date=26 November 2015|work=Radio Today|date=26 November 2015}}</ref> * June 2018 – present – ''The Christian O'Connell Show''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bandt.com.au/uk-radio-star-christian-oconnell-replace-axed-gold-104-3-brekkie-hosts-jo-lehmo/|title=UK Radio Star Christian O'Connell to Replace Axed GOLD 104.3 Brekkie Hosts Jo & Lehmo|date=February 2018}}</ref>

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== *[http://www.gold1043.com.au/ Gold 104.3]

Category:Australian Radio Network Category:Adult contemporary radio stations in Australia Category:Classic hits radio stations in Australia Category:Radio stations established in 1930 Category:Radio stations in Melbourne Category:1930 establishments in Australia