3MBS celebrates 30 years of broadcasting fine music to Melbourne

3MBS is celebrating its 30th birthday next month. It is Victoria’s longest broadcasting community radio station and was the state’s first FM broadcaster.

Lobbying for the creation of 3MBS began in the 1960s and led the way for the growth of the community radio sector across the country. Founded by Brian Cabena and other music enthusiasts in 1968, the station began transmission to Melbourne and surrounds on 1 July 1975. Back then, it needed the collective support of time and money from music lovers to keep it alive, just as it still does.

Today, the station attracts more than 100,000 listeners per week and is hoping that this year, even more of them will contribute to the station’s annual radiothon in May.

The annual appeal for subscribers is the station’s major campaign for financial support each year. 3MBS does not depend on government funding; it relies on listeners to support the station’s operations and activities. This year, the theme of the radiothon will be ‘Celebrate.’

Radio 3MBS is run by a team of more than 150 unpaid volunteers and a small team of paid staff, who deliver fine music – classical, opera, theatre, jazz, world music – and arts news to its Melbourne listeners. David Melzor is 3MBS’ current manager.

The station’s volunteers range in age from 23 to 88 and include ex-spies, crime writers, students, train enthusiasts, actors and explosive engineers. One married couple met at 3MBS, one volunteer has worked at the station since its first broadcast, another drives from Wonthaggi every Friday to work at the station. Together, the volunteers contribute more than 1000 hours each week to deliver its listeners fine quality radio. Their roles range from reception and broadcasting to library and floor board fixing.

3MBS supports emerging musicians through its Musicians-in-Residence initiative, Young Performer Award and also broadcasts many local arts and music groups.

The 2005 3MBS Radiothon will run from 20-29 May. Every subscriber who calls 9816 9355 receives a free CD and has the chance to share in $300,000 of prizes and giveaways including tickets to Melbourne Symphony, Melbourne Theatre Company, Australian Chamber Orchestra, Australian Ballet – holiday packages to Fraser Island, dinners, wine, chocolate, jewellery, facials, artwork and other prizes. All subscribers go into the major draw for a Bernstein Piano worth more than $8000, a Gold Pass to Nova Cinema ($3000), a water fountain ($1500) and an Opening Night Subscription for Opera Australia’s 2006 Season ($1200).