In December 1988, 4ZZZ survived a dramatic eviction attempt from its University of Queensland campus studios, orchestrated by a newly elected conservative Student Union. Set against a backdrop of declining finances, political hostility, and shifting cultural landscapes, this chapter explores the events leading up to and following the surprise dawn raid that briefly silenced the station. Through emergency broadcasts from Mount Coot-tha, rapid community mobilisation, and an extended occupation, 4ZZZ’s workers and supporters mounted an extraordinary defence of independent media. ‘The Early Bird that Didn’t Catch the Worm’ also examines deeper systemic issues experienced at the station, such as waning university support, volunteer burnout and declining audiences. Ultimately, the eviction attempt not only reenergised 4ZZZ’s listener base but also symbolised broader resistance to the rise of conservative control over student and cultural institutions. While the station eventually agreed to vacate campus premises, the crisis sparked renewed public support and a turning point in 4ZZZ’s identity, pushing it toward greater independence. In hindsight, many involved view the eviction not as an end, but as a catalyst for the station’s reinvention.