Radio station
| Broadcast area | Armidale, New South Wales |
|---|---|
| Frequency | FM: 92.1 MHz |
| Programming | |
| Format | Community radio |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | Community Radio |
| History | |
| First air date | February 1976 (1976-02) |
| Technical information | |
| ERP | 2 kW |
| Links | |
| Website | Official website |
2ARM FM is a community radio station broadcasting since the late 1970s. It serves the Armidale area in New South Wales, Australia, as well as surrounding regions including Walcha, Uralla, and Guyra, along with the areas in between.
Permanent Community Broadcasting Licenses lasting five years were granted in 2012, and 2017, after operating from 2007 on Temporary Community Broadcasting Licenses (TCBL). These events in 2007 included a 28 September 2007 letter of representation from Mr. Tony Windsor MP for New England to Senator Helen Coonan Minister for Communications, Information Technology & the Arts.
The station is volunteer-based and is a member of the Community Broadcasting Association of Australia (CBAA). Neighboring CBAA-affiliated community radio stations are now found at Bellingen, Glen Innes, Inverell, Kempsey, Grafton, Walcha, Tamworth, Taree, Tenterfield, and Newcastle.
The current license holder is an incorporated association with the ABN of 30635647271. In June 2009, in consultation with its stakeholders and New South Wales Fair Trading, the application to NSW Fair Trading for a transfer of the existing NSW Co-operative to an NSW Incorporated Association was finalized.
History
 | This section has multiple issues. Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page. (Learn how and when to remove these messages)
|
The earliest history of 2ARM is closely linked with that of 2UNE, the availability of FM technology for radio broadcasting, and the beginning of the community broadcasting sector of Australia. The first UNE students to broadcast did so out of the Armidale CBD studios of Armidale's commercial station 2AD until a studio and related equipment became available on campus.
The Radio UNE station was established in 1968–69 and utilized a "closed loop" system. AM radio induction within buildings of the university. A licence was granted to use this system, and the station went on air as Radio UNE on 27 April 1970. The system allowed the broadcasts to be heard only inside the residential colleges at the university.
In 1975, a letter was sent to the station by the then Minister for the Media, Dr Moss Cass, regarding the expansion of the Community Broadcasting trial. The station was to be offered an Experimental FM license under the Wireless Telegraphy Act. The letter concluded that all members of the community should be allowed to join in the broadcasting activities of the station.
Radio UNE was then formed into a cooperative, the Radio UNE Co-Operative Ltd, which would hold the licence. The station went to air in 1976 as 2ARM-FMt. 2ARM-FM was officially opened by the then-Armidale Mayor Peter Poggioli on Saturday, 9 October 1976.
In 1977, The transmitter and aerial tower are located on a prominent hill 500 meters from the studios. The signal is carried by landline to the transmitter site. Transmitter switching is achieved by time clocks located in the transmitter hut...It is licensed to broadcast with an effective radiated power of 100 watts. However, due to television interference problems, the station has been restricted to an output of 20 watts. The transmitter and stereo encoder were manufactured by the German Rohde & Schwarz corporation.
In July 1978, the Australian Broadcasting Tribunal facilitated a public inquiry in Armidale involving an application for a category "C" license. This was only the third hearing in Australia for such a licence.
In 1979, after much disagreement, Radio UNE returned to the operations of the SRC, while the Co-Operative moved, with the new 2ARM Community License, into the City of Armidale.
On 5 November 1979, the change of name to Armidale Community Radio Co-operative Limited from Radio U.N.E. Co-operative Limited was registered.
In 1985, Agricultural Economics student at the University of New England and Robb College tutor, Tom Murrell initiated and hosted Rural Comment, a weekly rural current affair show, with the first interview being with local politician Ian Sinclair.
During the years 1980 to 1993, Phil Godfrey was the 2ARM-FM country music presenter. Phil was awarded life membership for services to community radio in Armidale. From 1997 to 2018, Phil continued with the cause of community radio in Dargaville New Zealand. He is a patron of Northern Wairoa Community Radio Trust and a life member of Big River FM.
In June 1996, Neville Graham was recruited as Co-Ordinator of the station, by the Co-operative's Directors to renew the fortunes of Armidale's Community Radio Station following the widespread recession in New England and the introduction in New England of ABC's classic FM radio as a competing source of classical music in and about Armidale.
In 2009 the station became an Incorporated Association and moved to a new location at 128 Kentucky Street in February 2010.
In 2013, Armidale celebrated 150 years of local government. A 280-page book was published to commemorate this. In the chapter on Serving the Community, then Station Manager Kathy Padgen after consultation, was invited to provide a submission on behalf of Armidale Community Radio. This submission was incorporated into the final publication.
In 2014, NSW Co-operative Laws merged into a National Co-operative Law.
In July 2016, a newly constructed transmission hut was commissioned.
On 19 July 2017, the regulator Australian Communications and Media Authority,(A.C.M.A.), issued a new 5-year broadcasting license, with contemporary conditions, until 4 March 2022.
In August 2018, of the 97 community radio stations operating in NSW, 67 operated as an incorporated association. A long list of community groups organizes community announcements to be read out on the radio by the station's live and local announcers. For many years on Friday mornings, opportunities have been provided for live interviews. The station now streams and has a website 2arm.net.au containing a program guide, membership form, and other station details.
At the 2019 Annual General Meeting, in October 2019, three long-serving members, presenters & committee members were awarded life memberships for services to community radio in Armidale. They were Sandy Sweeney, Susan Lawson & Kathy Padgen. Known life members up to this date now total seven. During 2019 the main studio was upgraded with broad-based support & the current committee members are detailed on the Australian Charities & Not For Profits Commission at www.acnc.gov.au or. Another year of excellent standard of broadcasting 24/7-year-round, was maintained with the continuing passionate support of CBAA, CBF, and the many community groups, volunteers, members, sponsors, and loyal listeners.
At the 2020 Annual General Meeting, the membership met on Monday 26 October 2020 at the main meeting room of the Armidale Bowling Club. Geoff Lawson was unanimously awarded a life membership for services to community radio in Armidale. Geoff was inducted at the pre-Christmas committee meeting held at the station offices & studios in Kentucky Street. The committee & membership have navigated 2020, the extreme weather of January & February 2020 with associated water restrictions, the evolving best practices of COVID-19 safe operations, technical improvements, participation in a virtual CBAA annual conference from 28 October to 31 October & together delivered a very good standard of community radio broadcasting 24/7 for our loyal listeners. Some good skills are being applied by a good number of community radio enthusiasts, to renew our capacities & stay true to the Community Radio Charter during the 2020s – the fifth decade of our operations.
In May 2021, at the Armidale Regional Council Annual Volunteer Awards ceremonies; Michael Kean was recognized for his contribution to Armidale Community Radio. The award was for the Adult Volunteer of the Year – 25–64 years. The citation included Michael has helped the station adapt to changes in technology and is working on ensuring the station stays relevant through introducing podcasting and smart speakers. He has also facilitated the replacement of aging studio equipment. Michael is also being recognized for his outstanding work coming up with solutions during the COVID-19 lockdown when announcers had to work from home.
On 18 October 2021, has been firmed up by the Armidale Community Radio management committee as the date for the next Annual General Meeting. Membership renewals are currently being processed. Some good reports were provided to the membership and a further association life member, Mr. Peter Crick, was endorsed by the membership. Ms. Pip Spilsbury, Broadcasting License Co-Ordinator also addressed the meeting. The management structure including two co-managers is set to continue into the coming year. Reporting by this station to the ACNC was attended to in a timely fashion. Reporting by other stations, for comparison and related purposes, is becoming increasingly transparent with the assistance of this ACNC regulator. Audience reach surveying continues from time to time and the latest is available at the CBAA website.
On 23 December 2021, the regulator Australian Communications and Media Authority, (A.C.M.A), issued from their offices at The Bay Centre 65 Pirrama Rd Pyrmont NSW 2009, a new 5-year broadcasting license with contemporary conditions until 4 March 2027.
On 1 September 2022, a new Incorporated Associations Regulation 2022 (NSW) commenced. More information is available at the NSW Fair Trading website. Business as usual discussions about progressing & establishing an NSW charitable fundraising authority, as the station grows its activities are being held. More detail about this area of regulation is available through the CBAA website.
In the lead up to Christmas 2022 installation of a modern back-up power supply was installed, prompted by the annual CBAA conference taking place
- "Community radio station to go off the air". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 28 September 2007. Retrieved 18 June 2008.
- "Community Licence allocations, renewals and transfers". Archived from the original on 5 March 2019. Retrieved 17 March 2019.
- "Armidale's 2ARM is granted temporary licence". CBOnline. 5 October 2007. Archived from the original on 26 July 2008. Retrieved 18 June 2008.
- "Trove". trove.nla.gov.au. Retrieved 27 November 2020.
- FM broadcasting
- TUNE! FM
- Briana, Healey (11 March 2015). "Five Minutes with Tom Murrell". Media News. Archived from the original on 16 March 2015.
- Linkedin details for Phil Godfrey Radio Presenter at Big River FM
- Armidale Dumaresq Council, ed. (2014). Armidale: 150. Armidale, NSW: Armidale Dumaresq Council. ISBN 978-0-646-91266-0. OCLC 881700401.
- "Armidale Community Radio Incorporated". 22 September 2021.
- "Volunteer – Armidale Regional Council".
- Charities ACNC
- "Community Radio Listener Survey". 15 December 2014. Archived from the original on 26 September 2022. Retrieved 26 September 2022.
- "Fundraising". 14 November 2014.
- Investigation Report 2009
- Submission of 2UNE to Senate Committee Archived 3 October 2009 at the Wayback Machine
External links
30°31′31″S 151°39′54″E / 30.5254°S 151.6649°E / -30.5254; 151.6649
Categories: