Team effort: Members of the station gather inside the Solomon Studio with local MP Annabelle Cleeland. Photo credit: Wayne Herring.
Some may say radio is dead, but not even fires, floods or a pandemic could keep Seymour FM down.
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The completion of the new station was celebrated with an afternoon of live performances, guest speakers and familiar faces on Thursday, June 29.
The station was officially opened at 5.15pm by state Member for Euroa Annabelle Cleeland.
She recalled going through the old station in the aftermath of the floods.
“It’s a bit of an emotional day,” she said.
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Damian Sleep, a guest speaker with 35 years of experience in commercial radio, regaled the audience with tales of his experiences.
“Radio is dying on the commercial level, but it will never die on the community level,” he said.
“People like yourselves want to wake up and hear the local weather, get your name called out … a happy birthday … I think on a community radio scale you can keep that going.
“People out there a looking for real, live radio.”
And that is exactly what Seymour FM plans to do.
It is bringing back many favourite programs from years gone by, including a jazz program and other favourites.
The new station features two studios and a common room, which can accommodate larger groups of people, as the station fast becomes an informal community hub for its members.
Community: Callum Watson with Annabelle Cleeland, Hank Kreemers and Greg Sharp. Photo credit: Wayne Herring.
An extensive list of community members contributed to getting the station back on its feet.
Fiona Deppler identified the building, owned by Mitchell Shire Council, as a suitable location five years ago.
Mitchell Shire Council’s Mary Agostino could not be there for the event but was instrumental in securing the station’s new home.
Station president Greg Sharp, known for his football commentary, enlisted the help of his Broadford Secondary College students in some of the carpentry.
Ian McOwan, the technical manager and former president, used his experience in commercial radio and vast technical knowledge to wire up the new station.
Big effort: It was estimated that Hank Kreemers and Ian McOwan, both pictured, had invested around 1250 hours into the project.
The Community Broadcasting Foundation provided over $72,859 in a quick response grant after the October 2022 flood.
The Lions Club of Seymour Goulburn, Rotary Club of Seymour, Seymour Dance Club, Business Victoria, Foundation For Rural and Regional Renewal and Nutrien Ag have been a great support to the station as it raised funds for the relocation and rebuild.
Along with its steady and loyal list of station sponsors, Seymour FM can continue delivering and improving its services to the community.
There was also credit given to members of the community who are no longer with us that contributed to the station.
The large foyer, a space for gathering used to hold talks during the opening event, is dedicated to Peter Cox, with it aptly named ‘Coxy’s common room’. Peter was the first sponsor of the station.
Welcome back, Seymour FM, we look forward to hearing from your members over the airwaves, all sounding better than ever.
Revamped: Ian McOwan showing one of the mixers he acquired from the ABC and re-wired for Seymour FM.
Tribute: Radio station 103.9 president Greg Sharp gave a speech mentioning former Seymour business man Peter Cox. Photo credit: Wayne Herring.
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