Head of 1053 NEWFM, Newcastle’s 2HD and the Super Radio Network passes away at 84

Bill Caralis, an influential figure in Australian radio, has passed away at the age of 84 due to a heart attack. The founder, chairman, and managing director of the Super Radio Network died at his Tweed Heads home in Northern New South Wales on Friday. He headed a total of 42 radio stations around the country, much of the programming on the FM and AM 2SM network originates from his SANDGATE (Newcastle) studios.

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Voiced by 2SM’s News Director, Dianne Coveny-Garland.

Caralis, often referred to as the “recluse of radio,” was renowned for his significant contributions to the industry. Despite his private nature, he was deeply committed to his stations and his staff. His passing has elicited numerous tributes from colleagues and industry figures who praised his dedication and vision.

Dave Cochrane, a presenter at 2HD Newcastle, observed a minute of silence in Caralis’s honour, reflecting the widespread shock and sadness at his passing. “There are many people shocked and saddened to hear about Bill’s passing, including myself. We wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for him,” Cochrane stated.

Caralis’s journey to becoming a radio mogul began with humble beginnings. Born in Greece, he moved to Australia with his family in 1945. Following the death of his father, a Greek immigrant who came to Australia in 1910 and later returned after WWII, Caralis took over the family business in Marrickville, Sydney, as a teenager. He worked alongside his father, delivering fruit and vegetables by horse and cart along George Street.

After his father’s death when Caralis was 16, he continued to support his family by working in the Sydney markets before taking a job at the Sydney Masonic Club, where he learned the liquor trade. He then ventured into property development, building a shopping centre in Marrickville and establishing Camperdown Cellars, one of Australia’s largest import and retail liquor outlets.

In 1982, after a brief retirement on the Gold Coast, Caralis discovered his passion for radio following a lunch with John B. Fairfax. His first radio acquisition was 2RG Griffith in 1987, which was soon followed by stations in Dubbo, Parkes, and Mudgee. Over the years, he expanded his portfolio to include stations in Lismore, Murwillumbah, Taree, Toowoomba, Gunnedah, Gympie, Tamworth, Armidale, Moree, Grafton, Coffs Harbour, Port Macquarie, and Orange.

In 2000, Caralis purchased 2HD and NEWFM Newcastle from the NSW Labor Council and 2SM Sydney from INXS’s Chris Murphy. He then built a new four-level facility in Pyrmont, Sydney, to house the 2SM Super Radio Network. Legendary broadcaster John Laws joined 2SM mornings in 2011, further cementing the network’s reputation.

Caralis was known for his generous and family-oriented nature. “Mr Caralis lived for his family, and in March this year, he and his wife Pam marked 60 years of marriage – their diamond anniversary for which they would have received a card from King Charles III,” said Dianne Coveny-Garland, 2SM news director. “He was largely a private man but cared deeply for those around him. Bill was a very generous man and went out of his way to help others but wanted little fuss made.”

His love for rugby league saw him become president of the Newtown Jets, who narrowly lost to Parramatta in the 1981 Grand Final. Caralis was also known for his habit of placing red roses at his father’s graveside for decades.

Bill Caralis is survived by his wife Pam, children John, George, and Despina, and several grandchildren. His legacy in the Australian radio industry will be remembered for years to come, as he leaves behind a network that continues to thrive, thanks to his vision and dedication. The Caralis family has announced that Bill and Pam’s children will assume the roles of Joint Managing Directors, asking for business to continue as usual to honour Bill’s legacy.

Bill Caralis’ Broadcast Operations Group operates 42 radio stations. 22 of these stations form their AM network, mostly broadcast on AM radio and featuring local news, music and syndicated talkback programming.

• 2AD 1134 Armidale
• 2BH 567 Broken Hill
• 2BS 95.1 Bathurst
• 2DU 1251 Dubbo, 972 Cobar
• 2EL 1089 Orange
• 2GF 89.5 Grafton
• 2HC 639 Coffs Harbour (also on 100.5 FM)
• 2HD 1143 Newcastle, 97.5 FM Port Stephens, 90.5 FM Lake Macquarie (MUCH OF THE NETWORK’S PROGRAMMING ORIGINATES HERE, IN NEWCASTLE)
• 2LF 1350 Young, 105.3 Cootamundra, 100.7 Cowra, 100.7 Grenfell, 104.9 Temora
• 2LM 900 Lismore, 104.3 Kyogle
• 2MG 97.1 Mudgee, 101.5 Kandos
• 2MO 1080 Gunnedah, 103.3 Coonabarabran
• 2NZ 1188 Inverell
• 2PK 1404 Parkes
• 2RE 88.9 Taree
• 2SM 1269 Sydney
• 2TM 1287 Tamworth
• 2VM 1530 Moree/Narrabri, 89.5 Goondiwindi, 92.9 Lightning Ridge, 103.5 Collarenebri, 106.7 Walgett, 105.5 Mungindi
• 4GY 558 Gympie, 107.1 Noosa
• 4WK 963 Warwick, 95.5 Toowoomba, 91.5 Stanthorpe, 95.9 Dalby
• Super Radio Mid North Coast 531 Kempsey, 93.5 Port Macquarie
• Radio 97 972 Murwillumbah, 103.5 Mullumbimby, 104.1 Currumbin/Gold Coast

A further 16 stations form the FM network, broadcast mainly on FM radio with adult contemporary music and syndicated programming:

• 4AK 1242 Oakey/Toowoomba
• B-Rock 99.3 Bathurst
• FM92.9 Tamworth
• FM100.3 Armidale
• FM104.7 Grafton
• Gem FM 95.1 Inverell
• Hill FM 96.5 Broken Hill
• Max FM 107.3 Taree
• New FM 105.3 Newcastle (HEAD OF THE FM NETWORK)
• Now FM 98.3 Moree/Narrabri, 88.7 Goondiwindi, 91.3 Lightning Ridge, 101.9 Collarenebri, 105.1 Walgett, 101.7 Mungindi
• Real FM 93.1 Mudgee
• Roccy FM 93.9 Young
• The Rok 95.5 Parkes
• Triple G 97.5 Gunnedah
• Zoo FM 92.7 Dubbo
• ZZZ FM 100.9 Lismore

In addition, the Group broadcasts four stations on DAB+ digital radio in Sydney, alongside simulcasting 2SM:

• Fun Super Digi, playing classic hits music
• Dance Super Digi, playing 1990s and 2000s dance music
• Gorilla Radio, playing electronic dance music
• Zoo Super Digi, playing adult contemporary music