Station volunteers striving to keep Apple on the air

Although a Bacchus Marsh community radio station has become insolvent, volunteers are hopeful it might receive a cash injection.

Without a $25,000 lifeline, Apple 98.5FM will close on 5 July due to sustained economic issues, having reached its 40th year on the airwaves.

Announcer Alice White said the station was where she could come to be closer to her dad, former broadcaster Ray Goodwin.

“I get in there Sunday mornings and Dad’s always there,” she said.

“I do hate to think that we have got to this position… – unless we can get some money – that we do have to close the door.”

Station president Karellyn Dangar said Apple provided a vital community service engaging residents with their region.

“The legacy is to be there for the community,” she said. “That’s what we’re here for and I think that’s what a lot of people are missing these days.

“I might come in and not feel good, but you get behind that microphone and you come on 100 per cent.”

White, who is also vice president, added for many listeners the station’s loss would be “like they’ve had a death”.

“You become family through the radio,” she said.

“They could have family, but they don’t have visitors or anything. Even though we’re all volunteers out here, you are bringing joy to people that are tuned in.”

Both said the station had uplifted listeners throughout the years.

“It is light entertainment, people enjoy it, and it’s funny,” Dangar said. “And people say, ‘oh, it’s like sitting around the kitchen table and having a cuppa with you all’.

“And that’s what people need. They need that connection now.”

The funds required would help the station form a new plan and attract more volunteers to continue broadcasting for a sustainable period.

“We have tried many band-aids,” White said. “It has been good that we’ve been able to have that money to use…but after a while it’s just too much.”

They wanted to thank everyone who had provided support over the years, including station stalwart Leigh ‘Lee-roy’ Stancliffe.

A station fundraiser will be held at the town’s Shire Hall on 4 July from 2pm to 6pm.

More information can be found and enquiries about donations can be made with Dangar by phoning 0497 533 882.