This seems like a lifetime ago...  But it wasn't...

At the beginning of the year, just as the bushfire crisis was taking hold, we put the word out for CD donations for a couple who presented on 3MGB in Mallacoota, and who had lost everything.

Oh wowser, did you answer the call!!

Claire, from the Buddhist Hour, made the presentation to Betty & Geoff in March and sent us this video... We may have teared up just a little bit watching it and we're so keen to share it with you too!

We then received a special delivery in our mailbox...
This hand made Thank-You Certificate from Geoff... Which we will frame up and display with pride!
​
So... A HUGE thank-you to all our beautiful 3MDR (& beyond) community members who donated CDs...
​Your generosity certainly hit the spot!!

​3MDR will be at home on air with you on ANZAC Day morning.
 
We here at 3MDR know that the ANZAC Day Dawn Services held around the country every April 25th are very dear to the hearts spanning the generations of all Australians and New Zealanders.  
 
The global Covid19 pandemic has thrown a spanner into the wheel of daily life and this ANZAC Day will be a different experience as we unite to combat a tiny virus with a cunning arsenal that threatens our communities around the world.
 
Even though we won’t be able to gather in the pre dawn at our local RSL’s, huddle around the drum fires and stand shoulder to shoulder in a physical sense, the ANZAC spirit will be as strong as ever as we pay our respects and acknowledge the sacrifices made by the serving men and women of Australia and New Zealand in a different way.
 
The RSL encourages all who can to #STANDTO in your driveways or on the porch at 6am for a unique dawn service.
 
3MDR will commence ANZAC Day programming at 6am on Saturday 25th April with the Last Post followed by Jack Thompson reading the ode and a minute’s silence.  Just after we lift our heads, an episode produced by one of 3MDR’s work experience students, Rueben, featuring the content recorded by the station at the outside broadcast from the Upwey Belgrave RSL 2019 Dawn Service.
 
AT 7am Bret Townsend has produced a segment featuring an interview with historian Dale Blair about the ANZAC Legend.
 
To finish off the ANZAC Day programming we invite you to stay tuned to 3MDR for Classically ANZAC Day Saturday – War & Other Stories with Jules.  Like a growing number of volunteer presenters, Jules has been working tirelessly to produce fresh content for the weekly Classically Saturday program.   This week’s episode features 5 interviews with guests sharing their “war & other stories” of conflict around the globe, interspersed with fabulous local music. 
 
For local RSL activity please visit the Emerald RSL website https://www.emeraldrsl.com.au/ or find your local RSL by clicking on the link below
 
For more information about general RSL services and commemoration activities visit http://www.rslvic.com.au/commemoration/anzac-day/
 
Lest We Forget.
 
Stay Tuned…..3MDR is still At Home On Air

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.