SCMA | Southern Community Media Association

Peter Weeks from member station UG FM was the MC for the reopening of the Marysville SES HQ following the Feb 7th fires. As well as Peter’s involvement with UG FM he is also an SES volunteer and SES Media Liaison Officer with the Alexandra Unit.

The majority of the SES Building was badly damaged and Marysville lost much of their equipment and primary rescue vehicle that has been replaced. The Victorian Historic Racing Register Club raised $28,000 to replace road accident equipment and that was also handed over. The SES Long service Medals for 10 and 30 years of services were awarded by the Premier to Marysville volunteers.

UG FM decided to broadcast some of the activities on the day with their new Tieline outside Broadcast Equipment funded by the Bendigo Bank Community Fund to the tune of $17,000 and talked live via NextG IP connection back to their Alexandra Studios and across their network of 5 transmitters.

Peter advised they were fortunate that, at late notice, the Premier of Victoria and the following day the Prime Minister both payed a visit. Both were more than happy to have a chat live on UGFM together. That’s something you don’t see too often.

The Prime Minister appeared to really enjoy the day. It was her first official function in Victoria as Prime Minister.

The quote of the day goes to the Prime Minister. Peter Weeks reported that following the largest media conference he had ever seen the PM told them all “Ok we have to go and talk on Community Radio now”

And they did, on UGFM!

Apologies for the small images pics taken on phone

SCMA Member UGFM becomes the first Community Broadcaster to sign Emergency Broadcasting Memorandum of Understanding.

This audio grab is from the official signing of the Memorandum of Understanding.

Listen & Download the Audio Here

Read the press release here.

SCMA Member becomes the first Community Broadcaster to sign Emergency Broadcasting Memorandum of Understanding

Member Station UGFM Alexandra has become the first Community Broadcaster in Australia to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in regard to Emergency Broadcasting. UGFM and the Victorian Office of Emergency Services Commissioner formalized the MOU in at studio complex of UGFM in Alexandra. UG FM played a vital role in Emergency Broadcasting during the Black Saturday fires and continues to broadcast recovery information to its area.

Community Radio has always been involved in emergency broadcasting in as much as when there is an emergency community broadcaster’s do all they can to assist.

The President of the Southern Community Media Association, Mrs. Helen Bath said “It is gratifying to see all the work of the past five years come to fruition. The SCMA has had an ongoing commitment to the formalization of community broadcasters role in Emergency Broadcasting for a long time now and we have done all we could to support our members to achieve Emergency Broadcasting Status”

CEO of the SCMA Ray Hazen congratulated the team at UG FM and in particular Peter Weeks on this achievement. Today is a proud day for all community broadcasters” Peter has been part of the SCMA’s emergency broadcasting committee that has worked hard to ensure that community broadcasters role in Emergency Broadcasting was formalized.

UG FM has made history by becoming the first community broadcaster to gain recognition as an emergency broadcaster in Australia. There are more stations in the system who will be accredited in the coming weeks as part of a push to ensure that people are better informed in times of emergency.

Bruce Esplin, Emergency Services Commissioner said “It’s a fantastic outcome to have community broadcasters now being officially recognised by the State as official emergency broadcasters.”

He went on to say “Community broadcasters can play a vital role in that they can target messages direct to local communities and reach some areas of Victoria where there is no access to commercial or other radio broadcasts”

Emergency Broadcasting and community radio really go hand in hand as Community broadcasters have a real commitment to their local community. They are local vibrant and vital and a valuable part of the fibre of communities all over Australia.

There is no doubt that the addition of community broadcaster’s to the Emergency Broadcasting MOU can only be beneficial to all in times of emergency and recovery.

The Southern Community Media Association remains committed to emergency broadcasting and supporting stations throughout Australia to achieve recognition for the emergency and recovery work they do. The president of the SCMA said “it is vital that we as an organisation remain at the ready to assist all community broadcasters in times of emergency. It isn’t about ego it is about getting the message out in a quick and concise manner and ensuring that listeners are as well informed as possible about the situation at hand.

There is no doubt that this is a great achievement not only for the team at UG FM or the SCMA but also for the community broadcasting sector in general.

Ends

For more information or comment on this release please contact the President of the SCMA on 0407770209 or via email helen@scma1.com