Volunteers to the front at 3MDR!

With an exciting influx of new volunteers at 3MDR, the station’s volunteer base has been through a transformative chapter lately, on and off air!

In early 2023, 3MDR declared its mission to get back to basics with a focus on its existing volunteers and expanding on new volunteering opportunities.  With volunteer rates down by almost a third post-COVID, the station began reflecting on its recruitment and retainment of volunteers.  ‘We need to re-engage our community members and show we can work together to recreate a vibrant and thriving locale’ stated 3MDR Station Manager, Nat Grant.

Getting back out in the local community using all means possible – 3MDR hosted a series of live music events in 2023 as well as presentations at local markets and community networking days.  One of the highlight events has been the station’s first ever vinyl fair – a prime opportunity to support local independent retailers, cafes, bars and gig offers for DJs.  For 3MDR, it’s been about creating local settings for community members to meaningfully engage with the station and generating valued content.  These events have created a ripple of excitement through its volunteer base that has attracted a wide range of new and engaged members.

Through its programming committees, 3MDR has also turned to more creative ways to fill in spots within its programming grid and creating new programs that better reflect the diverse voices of its community – including young people’s voices on the airwaves.  Since 2023, the station has been buzzing with young people including 10 work experience/VCAL students and 40 primary school students who have done placements at the station across the year.

The recent influx of new volunteers at 3MDR has brought a whole new wave of energy and enthusiasm that has served to support the station’s key functions, reducing the workload pressure for longstanding staff.  It’s also helped rebuild subscriptions and sponsorships for the station, enabling it to focus on restoring relationships with its community in the aftermath of the pandemic.  With over 300 individual donors in their latest radiothon, the station exceeded its fundraising target of $20k, raising $23,000.

Exploding with 8 brand new shows, the latest programs include ‘Regroovanate’ – journeying into the artful depths of spiritual science, musicology & creative expression of frequency, as well as the ‘Mad Mile Music Club’ show featuring club music and artist interviews from a virtual backstage area.

3MDR received $33,727.27 under CBF’s Round 1 Development & Operations Round 1 2023/24 for salary support for Station Manager and Engagement Co-ordinator.  Funding also supported transmission, core operational and technical costs which enabled the station to allocate finances towards volunteer recruitment and profile-raising events and activities.