Narrandera community radio station Spirit FM marked their annual membership drive on Friday with a live broadcast from East Street.
As part of the broadcast, the station interviewed Wayne Mathieson about the Murrumbidgee Sheep Dog Trials, Peter Royle about the Farmer’s Markets and Malcolm Seymour from the Bowling Club.
Spirit FM Chairperson Barbara Byron said the membership drive was also designed to help find radio presenters.
“We have around 20 presenters, although we are always looking for more,” she said.
“We operate the station 24/7, although not all of that time is with a live presenter, so we always have spots available.
“Having people sign up as members demonstrates to ACMA (the Australian Communications and Media Authority) that we have community support, so it’s quite important.”
The station endeavours to play wide variety of music, Barbara explains.
“We aim to play 25 per cent Australian music, but otherwise we play whatever our presenters are interested in,” she said.
“Most often that is country music, but we also play jazz, blues and even hip-
“Our age range for presenters is open, we’ll have anybody aged eight to 80.
“It’s a good experience for young people in particular to do presenting.
“Most are already computer literate, but it gives them time management skills and the responsibility of working within a team.”
Spirit FM has been operating for seven years on a temporary license and its permanent broadcasting license is expected to be granted soon.
“We have some good presenters working for us,” Barbara said.
“Ray ‘Frog’ Mawson is worth particular mention and does the lunch program.
“He’s sight-
“We also have Nathaniel McPhee, our teenage presenter who specialises in Top 40 and modern music.
“Marj Anslow records Marj’s Bedtime Stories and re-
“We do poetry reading as well, particularly around the time of the John O’Brien Festival.
In addition to the outside broadcast for the membership drive, Spirit FM holds special live broadcasts from events such as the Narrandera Show and Carols by Candlelight.
The Spirit FM annual meeting, which is open to the public, is being held at 11am on Sunday October 16 at the Narrandera Library.
Spirit FM live broadcast
Narrandera community radio station Spirit FM marked their annual membership drive on Friday with a live broadcast from East Street.
Article from Narrandera Argus