| By Lauren Mitchell - Bendigo Life
Phoenix FM
By LAUREN MITCHELL
WHEN Bendigo’s newest community radio station held a training night for would-be presenters this month, organisers expected around 20 people to show.
“We had more than 50 people come,” station president Geoff Morris said.
“The interest has staggered us a fair bit.”
Phoenix FM is bringing together locals from all walks, bound by a common goal to reach others across the air waves.
Teenagers, history buffs, country singers, people of different cultures.
They’ll all gather, one by one, behind the microphone come January 7, for two weeks of on-air action in Phoenix FM’s first test broadcast.
There’s a lot riding on these two weeks, which have been 12 months in the planning.
The station is vying for the much-coveted frequency 89.5 fm.
It’s up against a community gospel radio station and ABC news but if there’s strength in numbers, Phoenix will be unstoppable. Not to mention, different.
“It’s important to remember it won’t be a slick, commercial sounding station, there’s enough of those as it is in Bendigo,” Geoff said.
“But that’s not to say it will sound raw or rough, it will be a different range of programs presented by people who know what they’re talking about.”
He said Phoenix belonged to Bendigo, the committee was just there to run it for the community, so the community would determine the programs.
The temporary broadcast will air around the clock.
“It’s surprising how many people have put their hand up to say they’ll do a midnight to dawn shift,” Geoff said.
Tune in any time during those two weeks and you may hear programs on women’s affairs, the Koori Grapevine, Youth Access, folk, country, experimental or even live music.
“We’ll do a ton of Australian music as well.
“The minimum is 25 per cent and we’ll be well above that.”
Local bands will present their own tracks, Eaglehawk Historical
Society will tell of days gone by and news will be read in Korean.
There’ll be local and national news on the hour and local sporting clubs will have their say.
Geoff said the station is open to all people, of all abilities, with or without experience.
Phoenix is an apt title for the station, one that has risen from the ideas of enthusiastic locals.
“Phoenix FM means something, it’s strong and powerful and brand new,” Geoff said.
For information on the two-week program or how to be involved, phone the secretary Glenda Eddy on 5443-2738 or 0403-186-466.
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