It's exactly 40 years since Life FM in Bendigo began its test broadcasts, on foggy Mt Alexander.
105.1 Life FM in Bendigo has much to celebrate, as it marks its 40th birthday all this week, culminating in an Open Day on Saturday, December 7th.
On December 3rd, it was officially 40 years to the day since the station first began its test transmissions. The station was at the time known as ‘Central Victorian Gospel Radio’.
It was birthed in 1983, starting off with nothing to call its own besides one small, donated mixer, using a transmitter loaned from Melbourne Christian Radio, and other equipment borrowed from presenters and supporters!
The first transmissions began from the Channel 8 TV site on Mt Alexander in Harcourt. It was a challenging location, with presenters often being surrounded by fog, snow and ice.
The studio, including the 2.5 tonne transmitter and a 75ft tower, were transported to the top of Mt Alexander and assembled by a team of about 20 men, and then later disassembled and transported away when transmissions on the site were finished.
As time passed, more equipment was donated or purchased included a link transmitter, which enabled broadcasting from a studio in Harcourt.
In May 1998, a permanent site for the studio was obtained in the Harcourt Valley. Further advances were made with the introduction of automated play lists which were used when presenters were unavailable.
In 2010, CVGR decided to take up a community broadcasting radio license and launch a new look Christian radio station. In early February 2011, the station began broadcasting on the frequency 105.1 FM. This radio license allowed the station to broadcast to a listening audience of 100,000+ people in Bendigo and the nearby communities, with the capacity to stream over the internet and be accessible around the globe.
In 2013, Mikey Dynon was appointed by the Committee of Management as the first General Manager, emphasising a contemporary sound for the station’s new branding. In 2015, Gaelle Broad took over the reins and continued to grow the station’s local presence. Peter Stanton then held the role from 2018, bringing decades of radio experience until his passing in 2023.
The station is currently run by a committee and a dedicated content and programming manager and supported by passionate volunteers.
While the name, the sound and the frequency have changed over the years, the values of 105.1 Life FM station have remained the same throughout its history: staying true to its roots, to broadcast the good news of Jesus Christ and support the Christian community.
Celebrations of the milestone will continue all week on air, with guests from the past and present.
“It's amazing to think that generations of volunteers have kept this station going,” said presenter and station president, Katie Meadows. “Of course, all glory to God. It's obvious He is guiding us and blessing the ministry.”