Apple FM
Apple 98.5FM (official call sign 3APL) is a community radio station licensed to Bacchus Marsh, Victoria.
History
The first test broadcast of this station in October 1986 coincided with the celebrations for the 150th year since the founding of Bacchus Marsh township. The original frequency offered was 94.7FM with call sign 3APL. One week only was granted for broadcasting. The ‘studio’ was in the garage of a real estate office in Underbank.
The station's establishment followed the dedicated and energetic efforts of founding member David Steele, a Bacchus Marsh resident and radio broadcasting enthusiast, who had invited expressions of interest in a local newspaper advertisement.
With the assistance of a team of 20 plus willing volunteers, donated equipment and funds, the station underwent many changes in venue:- the local grammar school, the community centre, the local post office, the public hall, a Main Street building above a chemist, an annex of the Montessori kindergarten in Darley to the current home, the Community Hub, thanks to the support of the Moorabool council.
After various test broadcasts of 2 weeks, 3 times per year, it was not until 2001 that a full license was granted to Apple 98.5FM with 200+ members. Even then, broadcasting times were limited.
All presenters being voluntary, shows have included breakfast programmes, news, sports, Community announcements a wide variety of music and even overnight broadcasts.
Though a turntable still exists, vinyl records, cassettes and cartridges have since given way to CDs and ultimately USB connections as the main music source. Outside broadcasts are an innovative feature of the station's progress. 24/7 broadcasting is well in place now.
Apple 98.5FM is also involved in various local community projects and festivals. The local Ballarat League Football competition is a major draw card on the station’s calendar, with hundreds tuning in yearly to catch Apple’s live play by play commentary of both the Darley Devils and Bacchus Marsh Cobras during football season, featuring local sports writer Todd Whelan.
In addition to the Saturday Game Day broadcast, Apple 98.5FM also produces a live to air round preview talk show titled ‘The Presser’ airing on Wednesday nights. Todd is joined by Wayne Freeman in-studio throughout the season, alongside of league coaches and other special identities from the BFNL.
The incorporated committee, with President Karolyn Dangar meet monthly apart from the AGM and subcommittee meetings. Much structural and technical work is performed by members.
The station now has a professional development strategy for presenters and will also provide training in radio programming and presentation to prospective local students.
Membership fees and contributions, Sponsors’ donations are vital but insufficient to fully develop the station's future and reach the wider community.
Notable alumni
- Claire Stuchbery, host of "Firewater" on PBS 106.7FM Melbourne.
- Matilda Marozzi, journalist and producer at ABC Radio Melbourne.
- Michael Clough, commentator for Foxtel's broadcasts of the Australian Ice Hockey League.
References
- ^ Radio and television broadcasting stations: Internet edition (PDF). Australian Communications and Media Authority. October 2019. pp. 24, 78, 103. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 November 2019. Retrieved 31 August 2020.
External links
- Official website
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- ABC Radio National 621*
- 3AW 693*
- ABC Radio Melbourne 774*
- 3CR 855*
- RSN Racing & Sport 927*
- ABC NewsRadio 1026*
- SEN 1116*
- Vision Australia Radio 1179
- SBS Radio 1224*
- Magic 1278*
- 3GL (Geelong)
- 3MP 1377*
- 3XY Radio Hellas 1422
- 3KND 1503*
- SEN Track 1593*
- Vision Christian Radio 1611
- Radio Nostalgia 1629
- 2ME 1638
- Vision Christian Radio 1665
- Radio Haanji 1674
- Hellenic Radio 1683
- Islamic Voice Radio 1701
(Melbourne wide)
- 89.9 TheLight*
- SYN 90.7*
- smoothfm 91.5*
- 3ZZZ 92.3*
- SBS Radio 93.1*
- Nova 100 (100.3)*
- KIIS 101.1*
- Fox FM 101.9*
- 3RRR 102.7*
- 3MBS 103.5
- Gold 104.3*
- Triple M 105.1*
- ABC Classic FM 105.9*
- PBS 106.7*
- triple j 107.5*
- 3ABN 87.6-88.0 (various)
- Kiss FM 87.6-88.0 (various)
- Middle Eastern Radio 87.6 (Essendon)
- Surf FM 87.6 (Frankston)
- J-Air 87.8 (St. Kilda)
- Southern FM 88.3 (Mentone)
- Plenty Valley FM 88.6 (Yarrambat)
- WYN FM 88.9 (Werribee)
- KIX Country 89.3 (Geelong)
- 93.9 Bay FM (Geelong)
- 3WBC 94.1 (Box Hill)
- UGFM 94.5 (Kinglake)
- 94.7 The Pulse (Geelong)
- Joy 94.9* (Melbourne CBD)
- K rock 95.5 (Geelong)
- Golden Days Radio 95.7 (Caufield)
- 96three FM (96.3) (Geelong)
- 96.5 Inner FM (Heidelberg)
- 3MDR 97.1 (Emerald)
- 3SER 97.7 (Cranbourne East)
- 979fm (97.9) (Melton)
- Eastern FM 98.1 (Croydon)
- OKR FM 98.3 (Kilmore)
- RPP FM 98.3 (Frankston)
- Apple FM 98.5 (Bacchus Marsh)
- RPP FM 98.7 (Mornington)
- North West FM 98.9 (Glenroy)
- Yarra Valley FM 99.1 (Woori Yallock)
- Sunbury Radio 99.3 (Sunbury)
- Vision Australia Radio 99.5 (Geelong)
- Flow FM 106.3 (Healesville)
- ABC
- ABC Country
- ABC Jazz
- ABC KIDS Listen
- ABC Grandstand
- Double J
- Triple J Unearthed
- ARN
- Chemist Warehouse Remix
- Gold 80s
- KIIS 90s
- CADA
- Nine
- NTS
- Nova
- Coles Radio
- smooth Relax
- SEN
- Rete Italia
- Rythmos
- SEN 2
- SEN 3
- RSN
- RSN Carnival
- RSN Carnival 2
- TAB Live
- SBS
- SBS Arabic24
- SBS Chill
- SBS PopAsia
- SBS PopDesi
- SBS Radio 3
- SCA
- Fox Buddha
- Fox Dance
- Fox Easy
- Fox Oldskool
- Fox Urban
- Triple M Classic Rock
- Triple M Country
- Triple M Greatest Hits
- Triple M Hard n Heavy
- Triple M Soft Rock
- Community
- 3MBS Digital
- LightDigital
aspirant stations
- 3AB 1116
- 3AK 1116/1503
- 3BM 1341
- 3GB 1620
- 3MGR 89.9
- ABC Kinglake Ranges 97.1
- City FM 94.9
- Barry
- Hitz FM 89.9
- Kiss 90 FM (89.9)
- Lion 96.1/1674
- Macquarie Sports Radio 1278
- MTR 1377
- NovaNation
- Pulse 95 (94.9)
- Radar
- Radio 2 1620/1629
- SYN Nation
- Stereo 974 (97.4)
- Talking Lifestyle 1278
- Australian radio markets
- Adelaide
- Brisbane
- Canberra
- Darwin
- Gold Coast
- Hobart
- Melbourne
- Perth
- Sydney
- See also
- List of radio stations in Australia
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