Last week that message was again sent during a re-enactment of the momentous event by Gippsland Gate Radio and Electronics Club members celebrating the centenary of the Wireless Institute of Australia.

The Cranbourne-based club partnered with Koo Wee Rup Swamp Historical Society, Cardinia Shire Council, Casey-Cardinia Library Corporation and community members to mark the historic occasion.

In 1921, a message took up to 48 hours to send between Britain and Australia via the telegraph system.

So when the Marconi MUU station buildings in Caernarfon, Wales made contact with the Australian Wireless Association receiving station in Koo Wee Rup at 5am on December 5, there were celebrations all round.

GGREC president Chris Chapman said it was a milestone in Australian radio history.

"There had been plenty of experimental connections before that but nothing that would show that there could be reliable communication between the motherland and Australia," Chris said.

"This first transmission proved that wireless radio was commercially viable."

Chris and GGREC members spent three days in Koo Wee Rup last week communicating via voice, Morse code and other electronic mediums to radio enthusiasts overseas.

"We set up at the historical society museum in Rossiter Road, just a short distance from the 1921 receiving site, and on day one made contact with the original site in Wales.

"The equipment used back then was very basic so we used Morse code to make contact."

During last week's celebrations, Cardinia Shire mayor Graeme Legge unveiled a plaque to commemorate the site of the original wireless station in Rossiter Road.

"It was just a little shack on the outskirts of town on the way to Bayles and it's so wonderful that Koo Wee Rup was able to be part of this historic achievement," said Heather Arnold of the Koo Wee Rup Swamp Historical Society.

The Koo Wee Rup Swamp Historical Society museum is open 1.30-4.30pm on Sundays. Details: Heather, 56294396 (AH)

The original message relayed, in part, read: "Warmest greetings to you and all our kinsmen under Southern Cross may this first direct wireless press message to Australia be harbinger of that closer communication between Mother Country and Australia."