Welcome to ON AIR: 3MDR’s 40th Birthday Podcast Series.
ON AIR celebrates the 40th anniversary of Mountain District Radio Inc, 3MDR 97.1fm. Established in response to need following the Ash Wednesday bushfires, 3MDR has been a stalwart of the community for the past four decades, supporting local businesses, creatives and musicians along the way.
In this podcast we’ll hear from current and former 3MDR members, staff, volunteers, members of the community, musicians, and more! Plus archival recordings and live music going all the way back to the 80s.
The interviews in this podcast were conducted by Nat Grant, Phil Ruck, Graeme Beal, John Weeks, and Dale Blair, with editing by Will Arrowsmith, James Reid, John Weeks, Cosmo Abrosia, Teagan Hocking, Cameron Stephen, and Nat Grant.
Archival music recorded and mixed by David Miller.
Archival audio digitised by Cameron Stephen.
Artwork by Eddie Andrews.
This project was made possible with support from Yarra Ranges Council and the Community Broadcasting Foundation.
EPISODE 1. To Educate and Inform
Narrated by Ben Langdon
Dedicated to Rob Freethy
In this episode we hear from 3MDR founding members Greg Webb, Ron Harmer, Simon and Greta Fergusson, and Barbara Baxter. They tell us about 3MDR’s original mission: to educate and inform.
3MDR has had many homes in its history: beside the Cockatoo water tower, behind Mary and Lionel Lattemer’s house in a bus which was fitted out as a radio station, a milk bar in Belgrave and above the Mechanic’s Hall in Emerald.
This episode includes archival recordings made during our very early transmissions, presented by Rob Freethy and featuring the Billy Tea Bush Band.
EPISODE 2. Turn the Tape Over
Narrated by Phil Ruck
Dedicated to Jim Baxter
In this episode we hear more early broadcasts (courtesy of Rob Freethy) from the caravan in Paternoster Road, and live recordings from the Selby Folk Club.
3MDR founding members Keith Marsh, Greg Webb, Barbara Baxter, and Ron Harmer, share their recollections of the very early days of Mountain District Radio.
EPISODE 3. Selby Folk Club 1986
Narrated by Tina Nabb
Dedicated to Jocelyn Aytan
This episode is all about the Selby Folk Club, and is dedicated to the late Jocelyn Aytan, founder of Selby Community House, who passed away in 2025.
3MDR has had a strong relationship with the folk club since our very beginnings.
In this episode we hear from Gwen Freethy, Annie O’Dwyer, and 3MDR’s Head Technician David Miller. Plus archival recordings from the Folk Club courtesy of the late Rob Freethy and featuring the Wooly Balls Bush Band.
More about Selby Community House https://www.selbyhouse.org.au/selby-podcast/
EPISODE 4. Let Me Show You Where It’s At
Narrated by Amanda Freeman
Dedicated to Greg and Judith Heenan
In this episode we are going to hear some archival recordings made in the caravan in Cockatoo. Phil and Mike presented ‘Let Me Show You Where It’s At’ on 3MDR in the late 1980s and in 2025 they returned to the airwaves with a special, pop up program for our annual Radiothon fundraiser.
EPISODE 5. Early Warning System
Narrated by Tanya Steele
Dedicated to Jennifer Lindroth, Graham Lindroth and Genevieve Erin
Listeners should note that this episode talks in detail about the great loss and devastation caused by bushfires.
This episode is dedicated to the 3 residents of ferny creek who perished in the deliberately lit fire of January 21 1997: Jennifer and Graham Lindroth, and Genevieve Erin.
This episode features an interview with former 3MDR Presenter, President, and Technician John Irving. We also hear some archival recordings from John’s program ‘The Journey Within’ (with his wife Virginia), and ‘The Think Tank’.
More about the Ferny Creek Bushfire Alert System https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIKUzpJ7QVc
EPISODE 6: Broadcasting Diverse Voices
Narrated by Con Kalamaras
Dedicated to Shiromal Boyagama, Angelo Mazzone and Zeljko aka Jack Jakupec
EPISODE 7. Live Music
Narrated by Ron King
Dedicated to Alex Legg
This episode features an interview with, and archival recordings made by David Miller, 3MDR’s head technician and 30 year veteran of the airwaves, including Folk Works and the long running live music program The Dotted Line.
EPISODE 8. Purple Haze
Narrated by Phil Ruck
Dedicated to Glenn Ford
This episode is all about Purple Haze, and it’s host: Peter Lindenbaum, aka Roach. We also meet 3MDR presenters John Weeks and Graham ‘Bealy’ Beal, and former presenter, Wayne Burden.
EPISODE 9. How do I get Involved? Part 1
Narrated by Tina Nabb
Dedicated to Peter Laffy
In this episode we will hear from current and former 3MDR volunteers who joined the station in the 1990s.. They tell the stories of how they got involved, and why 3MDR is still a big part of their lives today: Paula from Bangers N Mash, Dale from Swell Dames, Mae Parker from Mayday Radio, and Robert Stephen from A Fistful of Dirt.
EPISODE 10. How do I get Involved? Part 2
Narrated By Ben Langdon
Dedicated To John Beauchamp (JB)
In this episode we will hear from current and former 3MDR volunteers who joined the station in the 2000s. They tell the stories of how they got involved, and why 3MDR is still a big part of their lives today: Simon Kearney, Ron King, and Jeff Springfield. We’ll also hear an archival episode of ‘Folk on the Fringe’, with former 3MDR presenter Phil Young.
This episode is dedicated to JB – legendary 3MDR presenter who passed in 2022.
EPISODE 11. The Maestro, The Magnate and The Professor PLUS Chick Habit and Lips that Bite
Narrated by Sally Young
Dedicated to Andrew Lack
This episode features interviews with The Maestro and The Magnate (that’s Peter and Rob), plus Michelle and Sally from Chick Habit. We also feature some archival recordings from ‘The Breakfast Lounge’ in 2006, featuring a young Michelle and Sal in their very first band!
EPISODE 12. We are Family
Narrated by John Weeks
Dedicated to Glenn Ford
We are all family here at 3MDR! In this episode we meet a few long time station family members – between them they’ve been staff, board members, presenters, and they are definitely all die hard music lovers: Phil, Stew, Biff, Goony, and Ol’ Shep.
EPISODE 13. Ghost Riders in the Sky
Narrated by John Weeks
Dedicated to Ann Creber
This episode features interviews with three long standing 3MDR presenters: The Ghostrider, Jules Vines, and Judy-Ann Steed: all interviewed by veteran 3MDR broadcaster John Weeks.
We dedicate this episode to another former 3MDR broadcaster, the late Ann Creber.
EPISODE 14. The Hills Hoist
Narrated by Graham Beal
Dedicated to Lynn Ruth Miller
In this episode we are going to hear all about The Hills Hoist, a program that celebrated live music on 3MDR from 2010 to 2016. We speak to former co hosts Jenny, Sam, Lachie and Vesna, and hear some archival sound bytes from the program.
EPISODE 15. Fresh Air
Narrated by Amanda Freeman
Dedicated to Rhett Thompson
In the last episode we heard all about the Hills Hoist, the live music and arts program broadcast on 3MDR from 2010 to 2016. One of the founders of the Hills Hoist was former 3MDR Engagement Coordinator, Emma Johnson.
Emma also pioneered ‘Fresh Air’ – 3MDR’s weekly youth broadcast. In this episode we’ll hear from Emma as well as some archival excerpts of Fresh Air from 2024.
EPISODE 16. The Three Strings
Narrated by Michelle Gearon
Dedicated to Ivy Dakis
In this episode we are going to meet The Three Strings: Jess, Nick and Dap. They presented their program on and off for many years, starting in 2005. This episode also includes some sound bytes from the 3MDR archives.
EPISODE 17. The Friendly Femmes
Narrated by Tanya Steele
This episode is all about The Friendly Femmes! Jane and Megan, who hosted their weekly program on 3MDR from 2017 to 2023.
We’re also going to meet Cameron, friend of the Femmes and host of The Big Note, currently broadcast from 9-10am Wednesdays on 3MDR.
EPISODE 18. Be Heard (Musicians – Part 1)
Narrated by Cameron Stephen
3MDR’s mission since the early 1980s has been to amplify and support the voices of the many, many creative artists in the hills and beyond. In some of the podcast episodes so far we’ve been lucky to hear some archival recordings, made both on the radio, and at Selby Folk Club.
Now we are going to focus on some more recent talent.
This episode is dedicated to the late Mark Etheredge, and our good friends at Upwey Music, who also turned 40 in 2025, and features interviews with John and Hannah Schmidli, Jenna Campbell, and The Mast Gully Fellers.
EPISODE 19. The Feast (Musicians – Part 2)
Narrated by Cameron Stephen
Dedicated to Chris Wilson
This episode, just like the last one, is all about musicians and is dedicated to the late Chris Wilson.
In this episode we hear from the four co hosts of The Feast on 3MDR: Xani, Ben, Celeste, and Maggie. And from a young, up and coming band from Upwey – Dusthead.
EPISODE 20. 3MDR Presenters – Part 1
Narrated by Ron King
Dedicated to Michaela Gwythr
In this episode we are going to hear from some former, and one current 3MDR presenter. Each with their own special recollections about their time as part of our community radio family:
Introducting former 3MDR Programming Chair Evrim Şen, former host of Bitches Brew Len Davis, Dr Watson and The Invisible Man of Bring Down the Birds fame, plus Jeff Springfield, Tony Bates, and ‘Sir’ Michael Day.
EPISODE 21. 3MDR Presenters – Part 2
Narrated by Phil Ruck
Dedicated to Jason Shaw
In this episode we are going to hear from a few of our current presenters on 97.1fm:
Michelle from Community, Denver from Country Bonanza, Norman Weakly of The Sounds from InBetween, plus Daniel (Do Your Thing), Matt (Waxoid), and Sal (Tight Pants and Art Matters).
EPISODE 22. People Powered – Part 1
Narrated by Rachel Nendick
Dedicated to Rhod Brown
This episode is all about our wonderful volunteers, and as such is dedicated to the late Jane Brownrigg, who personified the spirit of volunteerism at community radio 3CR, PBS and RRR and 3MBS over many years.
In this episode we meet 3MDR vollies Tina, Sue, Chris, Tash, Cath, and Rachel – who have all served time on our Committee of Management, amongst many other volunteer roles!
EPISODE 23. People Powered – Part 2
Narrated by Norman Weakly
Dedicated to Rhon Stafford
We are people powered here at 3MDR, and this episode features just a few of the good folks: presenters and listeners alike, who keep our little station ticking.
This episode is dedicated to a long time friend of the station and loyal listener, the late Rhon Stafford.
In this episode we meet 3MDR super listeners Peter from Belgrave, Tony from Springvale, and Jean from Upwey, and we chat with Peter Kessels from The Upbeat Show.
EPISODE 24. Strength, Legacy, Vision
Narrated by Nat Grant
Dedicated to Uncle Archie Roach
This episode focuses on First Nations connections and the 2025 NAIDOC theme – strength, legacy, and vision.
We present this episode in partnership with Belgrave Survival Day.
3MDR has a long history of supporting this important event in our community, and we’ll also share some more archival recordings with you.
This episode is dedicated to the late, great, Uncle Archie Roach.
In this episode we are going to hear from broadcasters Will and Nelson, from their 2025 NAIDOC Week edition of Community Ngulu on 3MDR. Plus recordings made at Survival Day in 2014 and in 2025.