Chairman

Helen Bath

Elected to the SCMA Board 2008
Came to community broadcasting in Christmas 2000 on 99.9 Voice FM to promote another volunteer organization. As often happens the fun of being involved went from being a guest to being a presenter then joining the Board in 2003 and the story continues. Previously worked in Personnel, WorkCover, Manufacturing and the Agricultural industry. Being self employed, Helen is a Director of an Agricultural Business, as well as a Director of the Ballarat Business Centre. Helen & Robert have recently moved into Ballarat and look forward to pursuing their passion of scuba diving with the odd game of football thrown in – that’s if time permits.

Director

Mal Ritchie

Elected to the SCMA Board 2009
Born in Sydney, raised in Taree. Joined the Royal Australian Navy at 16, spent 18 months around the far east on HMAS Vampire. 21 years later he joined the ranks of civilian life and found himself having to work for a living as well as a weekend Sailor in the Reserve for a further ten years. Has worked in security, Channel Seven, Fleet & personnel management, and drifted into training, gaining accreditation in First Aid, Responsible Service of Alcohol and Gambling. Started in community radio at Eden, moved to Goulburn in 2006, joined 103.3 fm and as often happens being a presenter then included being on the Board. He enjoys all aspects of community broadcasting and strongly believes in supporting Australian artists. As a hobby he plays lawn bowls and golf.

Director

Di Richmond

Joined the SCMA Board in 2009
Born and bred in Sydney.  After many interesting jobs and a few moves came the move to Echuca in early 2001.  Starting with Campaspe College of Adult Education, Di expanded her qualifications in training and tutoring, as well as developing a passion for mosaic art.  A guest spot on Radio EMFM resulted in her own music program and variations have followed as well as joining the Board. Di says that her “involvement in community radio has overall been a positive one, it gives you an appreciation of the work and effort that most presenters put into their show and I have made some wonderful friends in the process”.

Director

Brian King

Elected to the SCMA Board 2008
Worked as a professional musician on a cruise ship for 6 months cruising the South Pacific, then moved to Forster / Tuncurry and pursued music combined with electrical work and spent time in Hong Kong playing with bands and touring. In 1982 Brian moved to Melbourne and got back into the trade and started playing in bands again, an idea to start a Community Station was thrown Brian’s way and he immediately jumped on board and his 21 year association with Plenty Valley FM as a Volunteer and Board Member begun.

Brian has an exceptional level of tech knowledge and has worked on the construction os 3AW studios and a range of complex OB setups stemming from study at RMIT.

In 2001 Brian was honored with Life Membership at Plenty Valley FM.

Brian is glad to be serving as an SCMA board member this year….If you have any technical issues, feel free to email Brian at b4king@live.com.au

Director

Mike Culley

Mike Culley was born in England in 1943 and came to Australia in 1950.

Mike went to college  in Goulburn, joined the army in 1959 went to Vietnam in 1962, was injured by a chain saw and came home in 1963. Mike spent time as a jackaroo then decided to become a carpenter. Mike was married in1967 has 4 sons 2 of whom are twins. Mikes wife died in 1977. Mikes sons are all in Queensland two of whom, work in the mines.

Mike left Wagga in 1970 and came home. Mike managed his stepfathers property at Coleambally and later bought it. Mike was a founder member of the Coleambally Rescue Squad and stayed with them for 16 years with the last 6 as captain. The squad is a member of the NSW VRA (Volunteer Rescue Association)

In 1992, Mike sold up and moved to Wangaratta

Mike began his career in radio quite by accident, Mike was the president of the Wangaratta Country Music club and in 1995, He was interviewed on air at the Community Radio Station one Sunday morning. After the interview was over, I was invited to stay and chat off-air. The presenter then asked me if I would be interested in becoming a presenter. “Very funny”, said I, “What’s the date, the 1^st April”? The rest as they say, is history. I was a member of the committee from 1996 to 2006, and the manager since 1999.

Oak FM is a founding member of the SCMA and the station has benefited in many ways by being a member.

“My only hobbies apart from doing nothing, is making things and music. As far as golf is concerned, I play off the ladies tee as it saves me at least two strokes per hole. A Greg Norman I ain’t”.

Also Elected to the SCMA Board:

0- Bob Turner

Bob’s profile will be added soon.