104.1 CHY FM will celebrate 50 years of broadcasting on Friday 1 December with a Movie On The Lawn event at the Woolgoolga Brewery.

Live music from local band The Jam Jar will open the evening’s entertainment.

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Then, when the sun goes down, the movie comes up.

It’s the award-winning Tim Bonython surfing flick – The Big Wave Project II.

“Tim’s passion for capturing the power of the ocean, the incredible surf breaks and the people who ride them is both fascinating and exhilarating,” Station Manager Angie Vaughan said.

“His film brilliantly captures the action so close; you almost feel as if you are on the waves.”

Playing on the 50-theme, the first 50 people through the door on the night will get a birthday donut from OMG Decadent Donuts.

“Amber from OMG is making a 50-donut Birthday Cake, and it would be a shame not to share it,” Angie told News Of The Area.

“The evening starts with great local live music, courtesy of The Jam Jar, who recently represented the Mid North Coast at the band competition Boom Clash Rockstar finals.

“The Jam Jar is the perfect combination of funky bass lines, hard-hitting riffs, killer drum beats and vocals you can’t help but love.”

All hailing from the Coffs area, this four-piece band of youngsters draws influences from bands as diverse as King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, The Ramones and The Beatles.

“And courtesy of That Company, we’ve got a Ben Buckler Mini Mall to raffle off on the night.”

This event is the first of a year’s celebrations for 104.1 CHY FM’s 50th birthday.

104.1 CHY FM is a not-for-profit, fully independent community radio station that runs on the goodwill, hard work, passion and dedication of volunteers and staff and the generosity of subscribers, donors and sponsors who fund the station.

All funds raised will go towards the station’s youth programs, operational costs and equipment upgrades.

104.1 CHY FM began in December 1973 when local Salvation Army Pastor, the late John Townsend, saw the need for suitable opportunities and activities to help develop life skills and engagement for regional youth aged thirteen to 25 and give them a voice in their community.

Over the 50 years, the station has undergone many changes, highs and lows.

When the station first started, you had to take out a subscription with Telstra and get connected.

On-air presenters played records (vinyl) and did live reads of sponsorship announcements.

Station Manager Angie told NOTA, “I came to the station in May 2019 after it had been abandoned and found there was a lot of work to do.

“Through fires, floods, COVID and other obstacles, 104.1 CHY FM now has industry-standard digital studios – just like the commercial stations so those involved get real-life experience.

“We are now also expanding into in-school programs, more community involvement with increased outside broadcasts, delivery and collaboration of events with locally based charities and community groups, and improved business connections.

“It’s really an exciting time to be part of 104.1 CHY FM as it continues to grow.”

By Andrea FERRARI