In order to really celebrate Norman Weakly's awesome artwork for this year's Radiothon...
We've refreshed our Program Guide to match it and we're gonna keep it for a while too!!
There's been a bit of movement in the grid and some new shows starting up too...
Here's the breakdown:
Mondays ~ sounds from inbetween 5-7pm  |  bring down the birds 7-8pm
Tuesdays ~ waxoid [new] 1-3pm  |  rockabilly drive-by 3-5pm
Wednesdays ~ heart hour [new] 10-11am  |  rockbottomradio [new] 3-4pm  |  sidetracks 4-5pm  | folk on the fringe 5-7pm  |  lips that bite 7-9pm
Fridays ~ waking the neighbours 5-7pm
Saturdays ~ surface noise [new] midnight-3am
We hope you're enjoying our new shows and have managed to find your old faves...
Keep a eye on our socials for news of more shows returning.
And don't forget to SUBSCRIBE

Our Radiothon is a bit different this year... We are giving away on air campaigns, instead of asking our local businesses and supporters to supply prizes... However, a few were still keen to super generously donate vouchers for us to give away...
A HUGE thank-you to:
CAFE HAVE YA BEAN - $30 Voucher
THE FAT GOAT - $50 Voucher
UPWEY IGA - Cadbury Chocolates
THE BLUES TRAIN - $270 Voucher

Considering how tough it's been for businesses this year, you might want to nominate one of these to win one of our ON AIR Campaign Giveaways... 25 words or less via engagement@3mdr.com ~ Winners announced in November 2020.

There have been some busy bees at Forest Park Homestead over the past few months.  With the school mostly closed, the opportunity was seized to have some much needed renovation / upkeep work done to a few areas of the Homestead. 
Most significantly, the structural mat at the front step has been demoted to just a regular mat at the front door, the side deck and rotted weatherboards at the side have been replaced.
There's also been painting, broken windows replaced and a little outdoor office [aka beer garden] established.
We look forward to being able to show it all off to you as soon as we can!!

Our second studio ~ The Drawing Room [aka Studio 2] ~ is ON AIR!!
Just in time for Radiothon this year and following months of work by the 3MDR Tech Team.
This has allowed heaps more presenters & shows to return to live broadcasting from Forest Park Homestead [within our COVID Safe Plan requirements] and we are LOVING it!!!
Dr Watson broadcast the very first show from the Drawing Room ~ 'Bring Down The Birds' on Monday 12th October at 7pm ~ and there's been a steady stream of happy presenters in the space ever since.
This second studio will also allow us to train new presenters and run great training for our current volunteers.

Instead of sourcing prizes this year, we’re giving away on air announcement campaigns!!

We'll give away one $250 campaign for every 100 subscribers who sign up during our 2020 Radiothon Come Together | right now

Subscribers can nominate their favourite local business, community organisation or creative by telling us why, in 25 words or less, they deserve a free campaign. 

Send entries in via engagement@3mdr.com. 
Winners announced in November 2020.

Are you ready to Come Together | right now for 3MDR’s annual Radiothon extravaganza?

Yes folks, 3MDR’s once a year call out to you, our beloved listeners, to put your money where your ears are and subscribe to help this mighty fine station stay on the airwaves for another 12 months

Come Together | right now kicks off on Monday 12th October & runs til Sunday 25th October

With 2020 being one of the most challenging years in living memory, local radio has played an important role in keeping listeners connected, providing company and comfort during  these difficult and often isolating times

                 To celebrate or perhaps commemorate the crazy year that 2020 is 3MDR has an EXCLUSIVE
Come Together | right now T-Shirt
available for purchase at $30ea with every subscription taken out during the 2020 Radiothon

We firmly believe that all of the incredible volunteering efforts from 3MDR's presenters over the last 12 months are worth 100% of your support.  A subscription rate rise was on the tables but, after careful consideration, it has been decided to keep the subscriber rates at the same prices as they have been for the last decade.   3MDR continues to provide More Community Radio Bang For Your Buck.
If you've been missing your favourite show, as not all of our fabulous presenters have been able to produce content at home or return to live broadcasting... Fear not, our second studio has just been finished and will be on air for Radiothon, so more shows will be returning.  There will still be some shows missing from the grid, but these presenters are super keen to return as soon as they can.

The 2020/21 3MDR Listener Subscriber Rates are: 

$20 Youth (under 18)
$30 Concession / Offbeat Friend / Strapped (for cash)
$40 Standard
$50 Family
$50 Community Group/School/Sports Club
$50 Performers
$100 Business
NEW CATEGORY $1000 Best Friend For Life - pay once and your good for life!!!
 
$40 Concession Membership
$50 Standard Membership

As the prices will be remaining ridiculously cheap, we are encouraging our listeners to add a tax deductible donation if in a position to do so.
We have some suggested amounts, with our favourites being:
 Frequency Flyer Cessna for $97.10
Frequency Flyer Jumbo Jet for $971.00
 Or maybe round up your purchase to one of these amounts
 We’ve added this as an option in our 3MDR.com shop
All donations over $2 are tax deductible

Thank you so much for tuning in and supporting community radio 3MDR 97.1fm as we 
Come Together | right now

We do hope you’ve been enjoying the programming on 3MDR. 

Thanks for tuning in!!
 
We’d like to thank all the contributors of programs providing entertainment and information on the airwaves with a number of “one off” shows produced by community members.  We’d also like to thank the Community Radio Network for providing free access to nationally syndicated community programs filling in on some regular show time slots.
 
During the all too short easing of restrictions, some presenters did make a return to the studio and continue to present live radio.  As soon as The Drawing Room studio is finished more of your favourite presenters will be making a welcome return to live broadcasting of their weekly programs.
 
Like all radio stations, the challenges presented by covid have been immense but we are determined to keep you company over the airwaves as best, and as safely, as possible.   Developing its covidSAFE plan, 3MDR has implemented controls to keep the studio open and our presenters safe.  We’d like to thank the CBF for the funding support helping the station to stay open and develop strategies for the return of the presenters to the studios.
 
There are several new show proposals in the wings and we look forward to introducing you to new programs with fresh ideas and different musical flavourings to compliment the already diverse nature of the weekly program schedule.  One of the new programs is Rock Bottom Radio with Marko who will be joining the grid with a remotely produced program whilst still in lockdown on Wednesdays 3-4pm leading into Sidetracks with John Schmidli 4-5pm.   More new programs will be announced soon!

Waking The Neighbours with Dan makes a welcome return to the programming on Tuesdays 3-5pm.  Dan had been presenting the program for some time on Sunday evenings and hopped back into broadcasti8ng mode during the first lockdown and has formally submitted a request to secure a spot on Tuesday afternoons.

Diggin' It with Janette is retiring after several years on Tuesdays 10-11am.  We look forward to Janette returning to the studio to fire up Rockabilly Drive By on Tuesday afternoons after the covid restrictions have lifted.

We're sure you're missing some of your favourite programs that have been taking a break during the pandemic.  Ann Creber from The Good Life will be making guest appearances on Classically Saturday with Jules.  Check out Ann's first guest appearance HERE.
 
On a sad note, we farewelled Angelo Mazzone, much loved presenter of the Italian Show (Thursdays 3-5pm) who passed away in June at the age of 87.  For more information about Angelo check out an earlier news item HERE.
 
The Leggacy Sessions (Mondays 8-9:30pm) is retiring with Brian Baker moving to New Zealand.  Honouring the late Alex Legg, the ALMF is winding up with one last hurrah to distribute the remaining funds to local musicians.  We wish Brian and the ALMF crew all the very best and thank them for their contribution to 3MDR supporting local musicians on the weekly Leggacy Sessions program.
 
3MDR also extends much thanks to Tony Bates who has been involved in community broadcasting around Victoria for some 30 years or so.  Knocking on the door of the Emerald studio after moving into Cockatoo a few years back, Tony is an avid supporter of independent music and his Uncut & Unsigned program (Wednesdays 11am-1pm) has provided many opportunities to local and not so local musicians to be interviewed and/or perform live in the studio.  Tony has also contributed to 3MDR as the Music Librarian, writer of music reviews and strategic planning.  3MDR’s volunteer sound engineer, Matt, has already taken over the helm of Uncut & Unsigned and Tony has been joining in on the program that is currently being produced remotely.   Matt is super excited to see the return of live music to the studio!  We wish Tony all the very best and look forward to his “guest” spots on Matt’s Uncut & Unsigned.

3MDR welcomes your feedback on the programming and you can leave a comment or two HERE (link to feedback form)
 
If you’re interested in presenting a program on community radio 3MDR you can apply HERE or get in touch with the Program Manager via programming@3mdr.com     No experience necessary!
 
Thanks for tuning in, we do hope we’ve been able to keep you company during these trying times. 

And if you have been enjoying your local radio station, you can help 3MDR stay on the airwaves during the upcoming Radiothon – Our once a year “hard sell” so to speak.  It all kicks off on Monday 12th October 2020.  Again, stay tuned for all the details.

Since the first lockdown back in March, 3MDR has continued to develop the broadcasting space at Forest Park Homestead.
 
Studio 2 aka The Drawing Room is nearly complete.  3MDR’s long suffering head technician, David has been working away with Ren in wiring the equipment to get the studio ready for broadcasting when we emerge from Stage 4 restrictions.  
 
It’s going to be totally awesome to be able to return more presenters to the studios whilst maintaining physical distancing as we continue to live with covid.
 
The Drawing Room studio has been fitted out with 2 new (2nd hand) turntables, Denon CD players (everyone’s favourite), 3 microphones, telephone interface along with the OTS and PC2 computers.  The old Elan Hawk12 from the Emerald studio has been refurbished and with a new set of locally produced decals it will look spiffy indeed!
 
This will the first time in 3MDR’s 35 year history that a fully functional 2nd studio will be in permanent use.  Gone will be the days of presenters scrambling over each other during “change-over” and having a free studio will allow more time for local and touring musicians to set up for live sessions while presenters on either side of the live session broadcast from The Drawing Room.
 
The second studio will also improve 3MDR’s training capabilities for new and existing presenters, not to mention local groups wishing to participate in the wonderful world of community broadcasting.
 
Other works taking place during the lockdown include a rebuild of the dodgy back deck along with the replacement of some rotting weatherboards and window frames.  These works have been arranged by the school and funded by the Victorian School Building Authority.   3MDR is working with the school and department to attend to the front veranda.  It is fair to say that the funding priorities move in mysterious ways when dealing with government departments.
 
Despite the corona pandemic and restrictions, 3MDR continues to develop the space both on and off the air.

3MDR would like to acknowledge the funding support from the Community Broadcasting Foundation to assist with the development of the broadcast studios at Forest Park Homestead.