In 1959 he started proceedings with "This is 2WN, and the time is seven-thirty. Time for the latest news. I'm Bruce Etheredge" - and the ABC's Wollongong studio was on the air.

He arrived via Wollongong's 2WL, after being transferred from 2GB after a stint in the air force. He moved to the ABC job, where he read the news morning and night - running a record store in Wollongong in the hours between.

ABC Illawarra chief of staff Jen Lacey said Etheredge held a special place in the hearts of Illawarra colleagues, after giving ABC listeners "four decades of great radio".

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"Present and former colleagues kept in touch with Bruce over the years and he was guest of honour at our 60th anniversary in February last year," Lacey said.

"He was as warm and charming in person as he was on air and he gave the ABC Illawarra station a real sense of connection with the community.

"He was utterly devoted to his role of keeping the Illawarra informed and entertained each day - and that's the legacy that he has passed on to the ABC team that serves the region today.

"One of his earliest jobs was to chime in the ABC News bulletins - the precursor to our famous 'majestic fanfare'. To his colleagues, Bruce will always be considered ABC royalty. He will be missed by us all."

In later years Etheredge - nicknamed Bronco - moved to Saturday morning radio. Off the radio, he was known as a wine buff, a tennis fan and a booster for his adopted hometown.

His funeral will be held on Friday, September 25.

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