Radio is not only entertaining and informative, it’s good for your health, according to recent research, but to ensure our own community radio continues Noosa FM needs help to fund its upgrade to bring it up to speed.
Research conducted in 2020 by Townsville and Melbourne universities found as well as enjoyment, listening to the radio improved survey participants well-being, making them more relaxed, improving their mood and increasing their feelings of comfort and community.
Another UK study determined listening to the radio helped reduce the risk of developing dementia.
Noosa FM 101.3 president Sibylle Reisch said their own research conducted last year on listeners provided some interesting information on who is listening to the local radio station.
“Our core age group of 50 per cent of listeners are 30 to 55 years-of-age, 25 per cent are between 15 to 30 years and 25 per cent of all our listeners are over 55 years,” Sibylle said.
“Noosa FM has 51 per cent male and 49 per cent female listeners, 76 per cent are listening in the car and 50 per cent at home with an average of five hours listening time per day.
“Our youngest listener, that we know of is 10 years of age and according to his mum loves Noosa FM and records all programs – he may be our next generation radio presenter in the making.
“We have many regularly listeners, like Paul McCaul and call us every week to leave their feedback, which we love.”
Paul so appreciates Noosa FM he decided recently to give them a helping hand with a $999 donation to support their work, volunteers and to keep them on-air.
“Noosa FM is good to listen to when working or moving around,” Paul said. “They play a great variety of good music with minimal ads and minimal talk shows which are ok if interspersed with good music like the presenters on Noosa FM do.”
Sibylle said Noosa FM was financially sound thanks to our members, volunteers, community subscriber and sponsors, but there were big expenses expected this year.
“In 2023 we have the big task to refurbish our on-air and training studios which are in need of updating and this will be a big financial extra for our volunteers of over $130,000 will have to find,” she said.
“Thanks to a grant by the Noosa Council last year, our tech-volunteers were able to start. However, we need help and support to achieve this big goal which is needed greatly to move into the future and to keep improving the sound of Noosa FM 101.3.”
Noosa FM is all self-funded, staffed and operated by volunteers who we call our time philanthropists, Sibylle said.
The station has been broadcasting full time since 1997 and was awarded a new five-year community radio broadcasting licence by ACMA in 2022.
Among its presenters are three teenagers, Lola, TJ and Reuben who all successfully produce and present their own programs.
Sibylle said the teens all had lots of followers and received lots of compliments.
All three were awarded the “Noosa FM Youth Presenter Trophy” at the AGM in December 2022 for their great success, she said.
Sibylle thanked all their sponsors and everybody who was supporting them and donating to them like Paul McCall from Eumundi.
She urged people to visit their website and Noosa FM Facebook page to support their big Radio Raffle for 2023 and pointed out the not-for-profit organisation was registered as deductable gift recipient (DGR) making all donations 100 per cent tax deductable.
You can visit members of Noosa FM 101.3 at the Australia Day celebration at the Lions Park, Gympie Terrace when they will be broadcasting the event live for our community.
