NOT-FOR-PROFIT youth community radio station 104.1 CHY FM, based in Coffs Harbour, launches its Holiday Donation Appeal 2022 on Thursday, 1 December, 49 years since its first day in the broadcasting business.

The independent youth community radio station runs on the goodwill, hard work, passion and dedication of volunteers and staff along with the generosity of the subscribers and donors who fund the station.

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“This holiday season, we are calling on all 104.1 CHY FM listeners and supporters to consider making a donation to show their support and be part of the most exciting new era for their community station,” Angie Vaughan, Station Manager told News Of The Area.

“2023 will be a very exciting and innovative year for 104.1 CHY FM,” she said.

“Our Volunteer Induction and industry-based radio training will move online, enabling training to be done at participants’ convenience and pace.

“We are running specialised workshops to develop a range of industry skills.

“There’s the launch of a Subscriber Program with many subscriber benefits, special features and competitions, and more community engagement with outside broadcasts, fundraising activities and special events,” said Angie.

104.1 CHY FM now has industry-standard broadcast equipment and systems, enabling on-air volunteers aged thirteen to 25 to get real-life broadcasting experience, a potential starting pathway into the broadcasting industry.

“There are so many positions within the radio industry that 104.1 CHY FM volunteers can get experience and be involved with, it’s not all about being on-air,” said Angie.

“There’s program production, events and fundraising, social media, audio production, script writing, sponsorship, administration, programming, and lots more.”

What do Hamish and Andy, Amanda Keller and Tony Armstrong all have in common?

They all started on community radio, just like the 104.1 CHY FM Patron, NOVA 96.9 Sydney’s Matt DeGroot.

A Coffs Harbour local, Matt began with 104.1 CHY FM when he was in high school.

Not knowing what he wanted to do when he left school, he thought joining the station would be fun.

“He did the training, put lots of work and effort into preparing and presenting his program and went on to study Sports Broadcasting at university and found his career.”

An additional stress on the funding of the station is that after fifteen years of continued support, the new proprietor at Harvey Norman Electrical recently cancelled its sponsorship.

“This has left an enormous deficit in our monthly incomings.

“We need more local businesses to sign on as sponsors and for members of the community to generously donate to assist with our operational, programme development and training costs.”

104.1 CHY FM takes donations large or small.

“All you need to do is go to our website, www.chyfm.org.au and click on the Donate Now button.

“It’s safe, secure and straightforward to navigate,” said Angie.

All donations over $2 are tax deductible.

“Next year will be a massive year for 104.1 CHY FM, with the most significant innovations the station has seen since kicking off in 1973, fifty years ago come December 2023,” promised Angie.

By Andrea FERRARI