Great Southern FM to celebrate 30th birthday with celebrations at Lotteries House

Albany’s only community radio station is welcoming the community to celebrate its 30th birthday on November 5.

Great Southern FM initially began broadcasting as a weekend-only station out of a shared room in the Italian Club on Albany Highway, largely using borrowed broadcasting equipment. The station was founded in November 1994.

The community is invited to stop by Lotteries House for a cup of tea, cake, a chat, and to wish the radio station a happy birthday.

Volunteers, members, sponsors, and listeners will be celebrated as part of the anniversary, and lucky attendees may even get the chance to appear on air and tell the community why they listen.

Board member and presenter Kathy Suggate is encouraging anyone with a connection to the station, and listeners, to drop in on the day.

“We’ll be having cake and a cuppa, and people can come have a chat with presenters,” she said.

“People can even have a look at the studio, and we’ll probably pull a few people in to ask ‘why do you listen to us and what do you like about it?’.

“People may have listened to us over the years. They may have even been a presenter in the past.

“We’ve been around for 30 years, so just come on down to reminisce, tell us your story.

“We want to hear people’s stories, so anyone who feels a connection we’re encouraging to come down.”

Operated solely on the efforts of volunteers, the station relies on the generosity of donations, sponsors and members to operate and stay on the air.

Great Southern FM will celebrate its 30th birthday at the Lotteries House on November 5 from 9am.