99.9 Live FM is a Christian-based community radio station based in Townsville on Thul Garrie Waja country and Gurrumbilbarra country.
Broadcasting to over 42,000 North Queenslanders, the station features mainstream and Christian music, as well as segments covering lifestyle, news and current affairs to faith input, family, community and local events.
As a recipient of our Development & Operations Round 2 2021/22 Grant, Live FM received CBF funding for the delivery of training to new volunteer announcers from diverse backgrounds (including youth, women and Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people) in Certificate III in Screen and Media.
While training sessions were heavily impacted by COVID outbreaks, the station ultimately adapted and pulled through in successfully training two cohorts of new announcers – maximising module-based learning in addition to eventually running the course of the full certificate.
Students not only gained access to a range of skills under the Certificate III Screen and Media, but were engaged in several community-based activities at various events including outside broadcasts (OBs) around the city. Being able to participate within diverse groups of young people, women, and nationalities allowed each individual to engage differently and connect with listeners in their unique way.
‘We aimed to train five new announcers from diverse backgrounds and actually trained nine, including two women, four young people, and three Pacific Islanders’, explains Rebekah Hoover, Live FM Trainer and Management Committee Member. ‘This diversity is a big step toward broadening our demographics and meeting the needs of our community of interest, as well as the broader community needs…’.
Well done Live FM!
Photo: Trainee announcers Darren and Abby at 99.9 Live FM’s Christmas Festival OB