End of an era for West Coast Radio chairman lan Bassett-Scarfe

It's the end of an era for West Coast Radio chairman Ian Bassett-Scarfe, the man who helped bring commercial radio to Mandurah.

After four decades as Chairman of the Board, Mr Bassett-Scarfe made the decision to step down from his position last month, handing the reigns over to his son, Adam Bassett-Scarfe.

Mr Bassett-Scarfe was an integral part of the West Coast Radio story, with the Mandurah local, along with his school friend Ian Willock and brother-in-law Les Brown coming together to try and win the commercial licence for a Mandurah radio station.

Up against three other applicants which included Alan Bond's Group and The Sunday Times - the choice was made to merge with another group of Mandurah people led by Lance Rock, Owen Tuckey and Peter Sutton in 1986.

Mr Bassett-Scarfe said that decision would give them the best chance at winning the licence, which they did on April 27, 1987 after nearly 10 years of deliberations.

"The early days involved getting the premises built and transmitters put in place, this involved a lot of work," Mr Bassett-Scarfe said.

The father-of-three said one of his fondest memories was the opening of the radio station on Mandurah Terrace on March 18, 1988 and their first broadcast on AM station - 6MM.

Ian Bassett-Scarfe during the opening of West Coast Radio in 1988. PIC: Supplied

"Bringing a commercial radio station to Mandurah gave local residents access to local news and information and easy listening music...it also gave local businesses the ability to advertise on radio," Mr Bassett-Scarfe said.

Several years later, West Coast Radio launched their first FM station - Coast FM in 1996.

In 2018, their second FM station, The Wave, hit the airwaves, replacing 6MM.

"The radio station, since beginning as an AM station has now become two FM stations. It is part of the fabric of local community which has doubled in size since opening," Mr Bassett-Scarfe said.

Mr Bassett-Scarfe was born in Pinjarra in 1945 and has spent majority of his life in Mandurah.

He attended Mandurah Primary School and Wesley College before returning home to run a beef stud in Pleasant Grove.

Along with his brother Malcolm, the pair launched Bassett-Scarfe Realty in 1976, following in the footsteps of their father.

He also served on the Real Estate Institute of WA's State Council for three years as Vice President and Treasurer. 

Mr Bassett-Scarfe played football for South Fremantle in the WAFL from 1963-65 and coached Mandurah's senior football team twice.

Ian Bassett-Scarfe played for South Fremantle Football Club. PIC: Supplied

Mr Bassett-Scarfe said while it's the end of an era for him, he leaves as chairman of the station with pride and satisfaction of a job well done.

"l am confident that my son Adam with the board voting him in, will do a good job at bringing fresh input into the station and I wish him well."

West Coast Radio is the only privately owned shareholder station in Western Australia.