Friday, March 29, 2024

Local radio making waves

Recent stories

Serena Kirby, Denmark Bulletin

Denmark FM has been named as a finalist in four national community radio awards. The annual Community Broadcasting Association of Australia awards are designed to recognise innovation, programs and initiatives that contribute to the industry and the local community.

As a finalist for the outstanding small station award in only its first year of operation, Denmark FM station manager Matt Sivyer said he was proud of what had been achieved in a short time.

All the people involved in getting the programs to air had volunteered their time to make programs sound as good as they did.

“There’s a lot of people working behind the scenes to produce these shows and to have them recognised at a national level is exciting,” Matt said.

“We’re a little town with a young station so making it to the finals shows that what we produce stacks up against the larger and more established radio stations.”

Denmark FM is also a finalist in the best new radio program category with its The Promiscuous Ear program presented by John Briggs.

The program features music ranging from 50s and 60s pop to modern jazz, old blues and classical music. Also up for an award is the Tyler on Air show for its excellence in innovative programming and content.

Hosted by non-verbal teenager Tyler Hartfield, who has cerebral palsy, the show proves that music has no boundaries. The Westside Mixtape, hosted by Charlie Mcgee and Myles Mitchell, has also made the finalists’ list for its contribution to Australian music.

“This program showcases the diversity and talent found in the WA music scene and we play a lot of high-quality music that you won’t hear on many other stations,” Matt said.

Winners in all award categories will be announced at the end of this month. It is hoped this will provide an extra present to the station in celebrating its first birthday this month. Matt said the past 12 months had been “quite a ride” for the new station.

“We’ve found our rhythm now and we can see that the time we spent training our presenters and getting all the technical stuff sorted before we went live has paid dividends,” he said.

The station now has 18 local presenters with a further 10 people providing behind the scenes support for the 16 locally-produced programs it airs each week.

“The station gives people the chance to be involved in something new, to learn new skills and do something that contributes to their community,” Matt said.

“We pride ourselves on being not all centred around doom and gloom and we know people find it comforting and connecting to hear a local voice speaking about local things.”

Denmark FM first went to air on October 4 last year and will celebrate the milestone with a party on Saturday, October 15 at the Denmark Artshouse.

The party starts at 7pm with drinks and pizzas available plus a DJ and outdoor firepit. All station subscribers are invited and you can sign up to be a subscriber at the door.

Denmark Bulletin 13 October 2022

This article appeared in the Denmark Bulletin, 13 October 2022.

KEEP IN TOUCH

Sign up for updates from Australian Rural & Regional News

Manage your subscription

We don’t spam! Read our privacy policy for more info.

For all the news from the Denmark Bulletin, go to http://www.denmarkbulletin.com.au/