By Tanya Steele
Community generosity has seen local radio station 3MDR exceed its fundraising target of $20,000 during the ‘But wait, there’s more’ themed radiothon for 2024.
Putting their money where their ears are through the last of September and early October the community has shown up for the volunteers at Mountain District Radio which broadcasts from Ferntree Gully to Emerald and Silvan to Berwick 24 hours a day.
As the station heads towards its 40th year in broadcasting, station manager Nat Grant said the station is thrilled with the support.
“We set a $20,000 goal – we raised $23,420,” they said.
Radiothon is an annual and educated four-week fundraising campaign for the station and Grant said while it is about money, it is also about keeping the station on the air for another 12 months.
“It is about raising awareness that it does cost a lot to put on, to do what we do,” they said.
Grant said the month-long drive also has a celebratory feel to it.
“It’s a lovely morale-boosting, celebratory kind of opportunity as well,” they said.
The 3MDR team ran two main gigs this year, they did a live broadcast from the Upwey-Belgrave RSL on 21 September and a wrap-up celebration on 11 October at the Sooki Lounge in Belgrave.
The RSL live broadcast featured presenter Ron King’s show – An Acoustic Companion, which saw a bevy of local bands present live acoustic music.
“It was really, really, lovely,” said Grant.
Presenter Ron King said that presenting An Acoustic Companion on 3MDR is always wonderful.
“I celebrate and share new acoustic tunes and songs with my listeners,” he said.
The Sooki Lounge Gig had a great turnout and eight bands and three DJs entertained the crowds, which saw over 200 people through the door in support of the station.
Grant said the fundraising drive had a two-pronged approach this year, with the theme ‘But wait, there’s more’ allowing the volunteer presenters to talk to their audience and connect, while also communicating to them what the radio station was doing for them.
“For our presenters – we provide this sort of sense of community and chances to learn and upskill and for students in the area as well, “ said Grant.
Volunteer and presenter John Weeks said that from 3MDR he has been able to develop a set of skills that has changed his life.
“It’s become a lifestyle full of creativity, inventiveness and confidence in effective communication with the outside world,” he said.
“For artists and musicians, we play their music, we have them in, we record them live, we put them to air, we promote their gigs for community groups, we go to their markets and we lend them our equipment,” Grant said.
New presenter Tash Brake said presenting is very addictive and there’s always more to learn.
“At the beginning, I struggled to remember to turn the mic off and now over Radiothon I’ve put together themed shows and had some lovely guests. It’s so much fun,” she said.
“Going live is still quite the moment every week – I love the support and encouragement you get from the station team, other presenters, volunteers and of course the listeners. It’s such a positive thing to do.”
Insurance, rent, and transmission costs are all things the radio station must fundraise for annually to keep them on the air.
As 2025 approaches at lightning speed, the station has more in store, with an open day, 80’s themed events and more planned for the Hills community and beyond.
“It’s a big year coming up. It’s going to be jam-packed full of events,” said Grant.
More training will be available for volunteers and presenters alike, along with an archiving project also on the cards.
“We’ll have more training opportunities in 2025,” said Grant.
“We are planning a podcast for our 40th year, it will be an oral history podcast with interviews from people who have been involved in that time,” they said.
“We will hear from our founding members who were there in 1983 after the Ash Wednesday bushfires, things helped to get us through test transmissions to get our broadcasting license in 85’ through to current and brand new volunteers.”
“It’s a massive undertaking, and that will go to air in 2026 but we’ll launch it at the end of next year.”
