Although a Bacchus Marsh community radio station has become insolvent, volunteers are hopeful it might receive a cash injection.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Announcer Alice White said the station was where she could come to be closer to her dad, former broadcaster Ray Goodwin.<\/p>\n
\u201cI get in there Sunday mornings and Dad’s always there,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
Station president Karellyn Dangar said Apple provided a vital community service engaging residents with their region.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe legacy is to be there for the community,\u201d she said. \u201cThat’s what we’re here for and I think that’s what a lot of people are missing these days.<\/p>\n
\u201cI might come in and not feel good, but you get behind that microphone and you come on 100 per cent.\u201d<\/p>\n
White, who is also vice president, added for many listeners the station\u2019s loss would be \u201clike they’ve had a death\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou become family through the radio,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
Both said the station had uplifted listeners throughout the years.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is light entertainment, people enjoy it, and it’s funny,\u201d Dangar said. \u201cAnd people say, ‘oh, it’s like sitting around the kitchen table and having a cuppa with you all’.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd that’s what people need. They need that connection now.\u201d<\/p>\n
The funds required would help the station form a new plan and attract more volunteers to continue broadcasting for a sustainable period.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have tried many band-aids,\u201d 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.”<\/p>\n
They wanted to thank everyone who had provided support over the years, including station stalwart Leigh \u2018Lee-roy\u2019 Stancliffe.<\/p>\n
A station fundraiser will be held at the town\u2019s Shire Hall on 4 July from 2pm to 6pm.<\/p>\n
More information can be found and enquiries about donations can be made with Dangar by phoning 0497 533 882.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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 […]<\/p>\n