EMFM A Brief History of a Great Little Radio Station

Community radio in Australia has developed steadily since the 1970's when licences for community broadcasters were first made available by the Federal Government. At the end of the 2007-2008 financial year, almost 20,000 volunteers were involved in the operation of the 350 fully licensed community radio stations in Australia, broadcasting to an estimated monthly audience of 9.5 million people.

One of these radio stations and some of these volunteers proudly serve the Echuca and Moama communities. Community radio station EMFM (3GRR) broadcasts to the Echuca and Moama urban areas as well as the surrounding rural district and has a broadcast radius of approximately 35 kilometres. EMFM is totally managed and operated by volunteers, and is owned by Echuca Moama Broadcast Service Inc (EMBS) and was registered under the Associations Incorporation Act of Victoria on 14 October 1996. EMFM is required to comply with the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 , and the Community Radio Codes of Practice.

The objects or aims of the Association listed in the Constitution, include the promotion of community and cultural expression 'for the benefit of members and the community' by developing local media activities, assisting volunteers to present programs and to seek maximum community participation.

The station caters for all ages and music tastes, and is operated by a dedicated and forward thinking group of volunteers who produce and present a range of quality radio programming.

In early 1995 Echuca resident John Avis (who went on to become EMFM's first manager) began exploring the possibility of a community radio station for the area and worked with Bendigo's community radio station KLFM in order to learn what was involved. He was faced with scepticism at first - there had been attempts to establish a station in Echuca in the past - but he persevered, and in August 1996, the local media announced that EMFM would soon begin broadcasting.

Weekend transmissions began on 25 October 96 with the granting of a Test Transmission Licence. Local content was supplemented by a live feed from KLFM Bendigo. Following a period of longer test broadcasts, EMFM was granted a full licence on 4 November 1997, allowing for 24 hour a day, 7 day a week broadcasting. Thirty volunteers began presenting a range of programs: news, music, health and finance segments, children's programs and feeds from the BBC and other overseas services.

EMFM operated from a series of temporary studios until the station's new headquarters was officially opened on 12 February 2007. Located in a former football club renovated by a 'Work for the Dole' project, these premises consist of studios, library and staff amenities. The EMFM family is hoping that they have finally found a permanent home.

A donated caravan was refurbished as a mobile studio in 2008 allowing live broadcasts from community events and local sporting fixtures. In October 2009, EMFM installed a 1000-Watt transmitter and new antenna, which almost doubled the station's broadcast range. EMFM began its campaign to attract a worldwide audience in December 2009 when live Internet streaming of programs began.

As of early 2010, EMFM had 76 members, 25 of whom are active volunteers, either on the Board of Management, as on air presenters or in support roles.