Life Members

Peter CRESSWELL

Originally from Leicester, UK , Peter was the Chief Features Sub-Editor for TV Times Magazine in London. Peter migrated to Australia in 1971 as a “Ten Pound Pom” … his first job in Australia in was with Cumberland News, then as Editor of Gold Coast Mirror. In 1974 Peter moved to Tropical North Queensland which is a very long way from London , UK . He was appointed Editor of Cairns Focus News.

In 1985 Peter became Public Relations Officer for Mulgrave Shire Council … This was a time in the history of the Cairns/ Mulgrave Region when the huge influx of international tourists had finally discovered our “Tropical Paradise and the Great Barrier Reef”. This was the time when residential, industrial, commercial development, high rise buildings, resorts hotels and the expansion of the international airport was changing the face of Cairns

Peter, now retired, continues to tirelessly contribute to our community. He continues to present a number of programs every week.

In 1980 he attended the first public meeting called to set up FM Community Radio in Cairns and joined the Cairns FM Broadcasting Society which worked toward gaining a license. After several well received test broadcasts the first official program went to air in 1985. The Society was disbanded so Cairns Community Broadcasters Incorporated could be formed. The Australian Broadcasting Authority issued the license (4CCR-FM) which broadcasts as Cairns FM 89.1. Peter has served as a Vice- President and board member of this Community Radio Station and with his skills as a journalist acted as the historian and producer of the newsletter for many years.

Peter CRESSWELL
Member since 1980 (foundation and life member)
Cairns Community Broadcast License was issued in 1985. Peter has presented a program virtually every week since the very first weekend the station went ON-AIR …

Sadly, Peter passed away on 6thMay 2019.

In memory of Eric Cellistino REYS

“The REYS Family is a well known and respected Old Pioneering Family of Cairns”. Eric the 13 th child of a family of 16 children was born in Cairns in1938. Eric always said that he was born under a lucky star.

It was a time in Australian History when the little fishing village and sea port of Cairns had no Commercial Airport or traffic lights and when kids walked to school, rode their horses or, if they were from a privileged home, might have a “push bike”.

Eric attended St. Joseph ‘s School then St.Augustine’s Marist Brothers College to Grade 7. He followed his older brother Frank to become a jockey and moved to Melbourne . His next career move was to Canberra to become an official government driver. He was appointed to drive for the then Federal Treasurer later to become the Prime Minister of Australia – Harold Holt. His appointment as Officer in Charge of Decimal Currency Changeover (February, 14, 1966),

Eric as Manager of Bumma Bippera Media and the Presenter of the popular Indigenous Talk Back Radio Program “Across Australia” were some of Eric’s great contributions to Australia … the lucky country .
In 2000 a t an interview with the then President of Cairns Community Broadcasters Inc., Eric recalled the events that were to change his Life and Career focus …

In 1995 my Grand Niece “Theresa Remedio” who is the daughter of CBF National Committee Member “Big Jim Remedio” asked me if I would consider entering the Media Field … I signed on with Bumma Bippera Media to do a 3 year Course in Broadcasting /Journalism at Bachelor College in the Northern Territory. I graduated from Bachelor College in 1998 with a Diploma in Broadcasting/ Journalism, Certificate in Work Place Health and Safety, Certificate in Training.

In 1997 I was accepted to be the Manager of Bumma Bippera Media 98.7 FM, Cairns , Queensland .

1999 my yearning to increase my knowledge and my audience to the wider community led me to apply for a position with Cairns Community Broadcasters Inc. “ Cairns FM 89.1”. I was accepted and Billy Lee Long encouraged me to present a program to cater to a multicultural audience … it allowed me to deal with topics that I was passionate about which included issues on health, housing, employment, tourism, etc. …

Radio is a powerful medium and if used in the correct manner it can achieve many positive results for all of the people who live in our beautiful tropical Region of Cairns …

Editors comment: Eric had a wonderful, friendly, caring personality with a deep compassion for people, especially the under privileged … Friends and family will always remember Eric when they sit back and relax and listen to some good 60’s and 70’s music … “what a wonderful world”.