These are challenging times indeed...
But if there's one thing we know at 3MDR, it's that our community will pull together and support each other through whatever is thrown at us.
With venues forced to close and many other businesses having to greatly alter their trading practices, it's tricky to know what's going on from day to day.
We are eager to support as many local businesses as possible, so we're putting together special announcement packages to ensure all communications are up to date.  There are casual to long term options available and they are all super affordable... Even more so if you're a current business subscriber (25% discount).

So, if you're keen to get your message heard by your local community, and up date it as things change, drop us a line via engagement@3mdr.com or give us a call on 9752 5637 to discuss your options. 

​You can check out all our sponsorship info here and our 2020 Brochure is here.

We really are all in this together and 3MDR is super grateful for any support we receive.

From the PAVE Team:
Regrettably, we have to inform you that the PAVE Committee has decided to call off the PAVE Festival at this time. As individual organisers (and collectively) we are facing overwhelming & compounding difficulties, which are sure to continue compromising our capacity to finalise our plans amid such impending uncertainty. Combined with this, we have been trying to balance maintaining health and hygiene standards and additional logistical requirements to deliver the festival safely.  
By Postponing, not cancelling the smaller PAVE events, we are making an effort to remove immediate safety risks while giving ourselves the opportunity to redirect some creative energy toward a restructure. We are exploring the potential for new activities that generate simple
pleasures for the community to safely and confidently enjoy.  
NOTE: THE EMERALD FUNFEST, (THIS IS THE HUGE STREET FESTIVAL ON THE FIRST DAY OF PAVE) HAS BEEN CANCELLED IN ITS ENTIRETY. WE WILL BEGIN PLANS TO BRING IT BACK NEXT YEAR. 
In addition, to keep people connected and interested, we are looking for creative, fun things to do without close contact, during the week of PAVE (29th March to 5th April). We'd love a way to promote people within the arts industry, like yourselves that will be so hard hit. We won't have any money because, like you, we'll have costs but no income during this time. But we think there will be some creative ideas:
     * Do you have some great videos we could share on our social media pages?
    * Some arts games or quizzes people could play online?
    * We want to set up some speakers in the streets and play beautiful music.
    * Perhaps projection onto buildings.
    * How about a letter writing event. Not emails but paper letters you get in the mail!
    * Maybe stories or poetry people could read.
    * A virtual tour of an art gallery.
    * Broadcasts, podcasts and simulcasts.
    * Random acts of kindness.
    * What else?
How could you help and participate?
We would value your thoughts and ideas.
Thank you for being part of the PAVE family. We wish you health and prosperity as we ride this wave out together.
Let's try to build resilience and hope during this disruptive time in our history.  

IMPORTANT NEWS RE: Corona Virus/COVID-19 Pandemic

Hello 3MDR Community,
The Committee of Management, Programming Committee and Staff have had extensive conversations in the last twenty-four hours about how 3MDR is positioned within the current Corona Virus/COVID-19 pandemic.
We have taken the very difficult decision to immediately close the station to everyone, with the exception of the staff (who will work in shifts and from home), for a period of two weeks.  We are going to use this time really proactively to have the station thoroughly cleaned and develop and roll out really clear processes and procedures for when we reopen.  
This means we have had to suspend normal programming on 97.1fm.  With many volunteers being in high risk categories, we feel it prudent to limit access to the radio station and shared studio equipment.  We are working on presenting repeated or prerecorded versions of programs in their usual time slots, so please continue to tune in.
For the latest advice, information and resources, go to https://www.health.gov.au/
Call the National Coronavirus Health Information Line on 1800 020 080. It operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you require translating or interpreting services, call 131 450.
 We appreciate your understanding and we hope to return to regular programming soon.
Yours in Community radio,
3MDR Committee of Management, Programming Committee & Staff.

UPDATE:  Due to the COVID 19 / Corona Virus Pandemic PAVE 2020 has been POSTPONED.
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The Performing And Visual arts in Emerald festival is on again.   

Imagine future possibilities.

What we see, hear and feel can shape our sense of self, our future, our community and the world around us.

This year at PAVE we ask you to see the beauty in life.

Natural environment. People. Art. Simple things as well as complex. Conceive ideas. Picture opportunities.
Enjoy the colour and form that visual artists present. Explore the artists’ intention and form your own impression of what was meant by the artwork. Experience what the art means to you. Take in the beauty, be challenged, allow yourself to change or form an opinion about how creative work relates to current affairs, history, progress and the future.

Music, lyrics, drama and spoken word provide clarity and perspective just as visual art does. It may not be what we see but what we hear that gives us the vision to help form opinions or make decisions. Listen deeply, watch intently, feel the emotion.

Enjoy the rich and interesting program with plenty to surprise and delight.

For all event information and bookings visit pave.org.au

Attention lovers of live n local blues music!!

Mike Elrington will be teaming up with the newly formed R2B Kings Of Groove house band for this month's Red To Blue Sessions.

Gather a group of music loving friends and get along to the Emerald RSL on Friday 28th February for some fabulous live blues music.

At two meters tall, Mike is a tower in the world of gifted singer songwriters with incredible guitar skills.

This promises to be a very special evening with the debut of the Red To Blue Kings of Groove house band backing the one and only Mike Elrington.

Doors open at 7pm with the live music kicking off at 7:30pm

Tickets are only $10 for MDR/RSL members and subscribers or $12........on the door.

The RSL bar will be open for you to purchase liquid refreshments and a local school will be in the kitchen cooking up a storm to raise funds for school projects.

Tune into Red To Blue every Friday from 3pm on 3MDR 97.1fm

 

Thrills and spills set to fill Main Street in Upwey at the 14th annual Billy Cart Races.

For a fabulously fun family day, get along to the Upwey Billy Cart Races on Sunday 23rd February.

Whether you're a racer or a spectator, the annual Upwey Billy Cart Race day is an action packed event for the whole family.

A calendar highlight presented by the Upwey Township Group, this popular event is open to all ages.

Time is running out to register with registrations closing on 17th February 2020

Visit http://upweybillycartrace.com/ for all the details and to register your billy cart.

3MDR will be in attendance with a community radio information stand and we invite you to come and say hello to the volunteers and find out more about your local radio station.

Join us for another day of celebrating the survival of Australia's First Nations people.    Music, stalls, children's activities, food and fun.

The 2020 Belgrave Survival Day Line Up features:
​Dave Arden & Band
Allara Briggs-Patterson
MC Shawn Andrews of Idigicate
Mullum Mullum Indigenous Gathering Place Choir
Uncle Gnarnayarrahe
Wayapa Wurrk session

Belgrave Survival Day was first held on January 26th 2008. The event was started by a small group of local hills residents. It was held out the back of the Cameo Cinema. The only Indigenous act in the first year was a dance troupe from Healesville.
The event moved in 2011 to its current location at Borthwick Park Reserve in Belgrave.

BSD has become a prominent annual fixture of the Dandenong Ranges community, where it regularly attracts 2000-3000 attendees, featuring several entertainment acts, with stalls featuring vendors (food, drink, books, merchandise, information, community groups and Indigenous sector organizations).

​Belgrave Survival Day volunteer call out - Ever wanted to be apart of something great? Here's your chance. Belgrave Survival Day is on again in 2020. Each year we try to make it better!! And each year we succeed with the assistance of some wonderful volunteers who are passionate about making this iconic event happen.

You could be one of these volunteers. You will be working alongside other people with an interest in promoting indigenous culture and celebrating the survival of one of the world’s oldest living cultures.  

Introduce yourself to the BSD crew at their merch stand or email survivalday@gmail.com or check out ​https://www.burrinja.org.au/projects/belgrave-survival-day

What a great night it was!!!  Thank you to all who came out in support of live n local music and the bushfire relief fundraising.

The Emerald RSL was rockin' to the sounds of the Cam Walter's Blues Trio on Friday 17th January, with a full house of punters digging deep to support the Victorian Bushfire Relief Appeal.

The night raised over $2500 to support the bushfire relief appeal with the monies raised through ticket sales, raffles and silent auctions.  The Webstar dropped into 3MDR sponsors the Bendigo Bank on Saturday morning to deposit the funds into the Victorian Bushfire Relief Appeal. 

Much thanks goes to the Emerald Secondary College who donated all the funds raised from the kitchen and to the RSL donating $500 of the bar takings.

The music lovers handed over cash for the raffles with thanks to Greg Webb for donating the Cigar Box Guitar & Amp and Michael Holman & Pat Elliget for donating the double pass to the Mornington Peninsula Blues Festival.

Thanks too to Bianca St Martin for donating the beautifully framed photos of musicians for the silent auction.

A great night was had by all!

The next Red To Blue Session at the Emerald RSL is on Friday 28th February.  Be sure to tune into Red To Blue every Friday afternoon to hear great music, interviews and details of the next R2B Session!