3MDR would like to thank all of the wonderful listeners and supporters for hopping online and subscribing to the radio station during the recent Come Together | right now Radiothon in October.

We're blown away by the response and extend our gratitude to you for your generosity and support in keeping 3MDR on the airwaves.

It's been one hell of a crazy year around the planet and we hope 3MDR has been able to provide company and comfort over the airwaves wherever it is you may be tuning in from.

Nearly 400 subscribers/members signing up for the month of October is fantastic!  The addition of the new Best Friend For Life subscription category saw 4 BFFLs signing up and we are thrilled with this support.  Much thanks to David in Ohio USA, Jean in Upwey Victoria, Pete from Koo Wee Rup Victoria and the Mystery Man from Murrumbeena Victoria.

3MDR's volunteer presenters, committee of management, program committee really love what they do and appreciate your continued support for their weekly programs

For those that purchased the exclusive 2020 Come Together | right now Radiothon T-Shirt we're pleased to announce that the order has been placed and we look forward to delivering the T-Shirts as soon as they arrive.

3MDR would also like to thank the donors of the prizes:
CAFE HAVE YA BEAN - $30 Voucher
THE FAT GOAT - $50 Voucher
UPWEY IGA - Cadbury Chocolates
THE BLUES TRAIN - $270 Voucher
UPWEY AMCAL CHEMIST - 6 X $10 Vouchers
SILHOUETTE GROOMING & PET SUPPLIES - 2 X $20 Vouchers
CÓRDOBA MUSIC & 5 STAR MUSIC - An Acoustic Guitar

We'll be drawing the winners names out of the hat real soon!!!

Whilst the 2020 Radiothon has been run and won, there's never a bad time to subscribe to community radio 3MDR!   All subscribers, sponsors and donors are helping to keep 3MDR on the airwaves!

This beautiful article was written by the Team at Selby Community House and, along with the picture of Darcy with Mike Clarke & Patrick Boucher, have been shared with their blessing.

Darcy Duggan, a great friend of the House, the Hills and countless people who worked with him on environmental issues, died far too soon on Saturday, October 31st, 2020, after a long illness. He was a unique figure, widely known and appreciated for his tireless environmental work, as well as being a loveable eccentric. It seems half the Hills are in mourning for the loss of this great man.
 
He and his family moved to the Hills in the 1980s when he was commuting to work as an environmental scientist, but his talent as a warm, gifted and inspiring teacher soon drew him to adult education. Darcy soon gravitated towards Minak Reserve where he was to spend decades on rehabilitation and protection. Adjoining Selby Community House welcomed Darcy’s warmth and environmental expertise, and the House seemed a perfect fit for community connectedness.
 
Minak Reserve, a Yarra Ranges Council asset, was indeed Darcy’s special place, and he always brought his students there. It is tucked inside a small valley, surrounded by housing and almost hidden from view. It is humid, tranquil and quiet apart from the rustlings of small animals and birds. It has the fragrant fecundity of humus, how most of the Dandenongs once smelt, and within its leafy walls there is no relationship to the human notion of time. Towering hollow-bearing eucalypts and intact middle and ground storey plants represent a healthy wet forest eco-system. Three small tree fern lined creeks meet and flow through the reserve to join Monbulk Creek in Sherbrooke forest, some 250 metres downstream.
 
Darcy’s scope of work, much of it voluntary, expanded in many directions. While Darcy possessed a special talent for teaching with a rich, mellifluous voice to match, it was hands on work in the bush where Darcy spent most of his time. As well as rolling up his sleeves, he was a passionate and persistent lobbyist at all levels of government to preserve our very special Hills environment.
 
His work on private land also knew few bounds, as countless residents who adjoined bushland soon had Darcy at their door to begin their education in the need to remove rampant environmental weeds from their property.
 
Darcy’s reach touched and guided many organisations – Friends of Minak Reserve, the Southern Dandenongs Landcare Group, Save the Dandenongs and even a group in Laos which he visited at it had become connected to Australian Landcare International.
 
While covid greatly limited those who wanted to come to say their farewells to Darcy, he did have one poignant wish that was fulfilled. On the way to his burial in Warrigal, his hearse drove down into Minak Reserve and parked by the magnificent frog bog which Darcy was instrumental in recreating. The side windows adjoining Darcy’s casket were opened for about 15 minutes so that Darcy could commune with his beloved bush. Dozens of friends had wildly and lovingly decorated his casket with native fauna and flora as well as beautiful messages to send him on his next journey. What a casket! What a man!

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
UPWEY AMCAL CHEMIST - 6 X $10 Vouchers
SILHOUETTE GROOMING & PET SUPPLIES - 2 X $20 Vouchers
CÓRDOBA MUSIC & 5 STAR MUSIC - An Acoustic Guitar

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