An experienced combination of music, business and communication skills
marks the election of the new Board for Sydney radio station, 2MBS FM.

Following the Annual General Meeting of 2MBS this week, Sydney businessman,
Ian Woodward (Chairman), and conductor, Patrick Thomas (Deputy Chairman),
have been elected to lead the new Board.

Operating since 1974, 2MBS is Australia’s oldest FM station and the
country’s largest classical, fine music public broadcaster.

A couple of hundred volunteers run the on and off air operations of the
Station which broadcasts across the entire Sydney basin at 102.5. More
than 65,000 Sydney-siders tune into the station each week with its mix of
classical and jazz music.

“Leading an institution like 2MBS is a great honour. Sydney’s musical life
is enriched by the daily broadcasts from our studios in St Leonards,” the new chairman Ian
Woodward told radioinfo.

“But community radio faces challenges. We need over $600,000 a year to
operate the Station. These funds come from our listeners, through
subscriptions and donations; from corporate sponsorship; and fund raising
activities. MBS has faced some real problems in meeting these funding
challenges, but new activities to build on-going financial support, and the
incredible work of dedicated volunteers, means we can have a solid future.”

“Many listeners simply tune to us in their car or at home as free radio,
and are surprised we need their financial support to keep operating. I’d
like to see a real increase in the next couple of years in the number of
listeners who actively support us,” he said.

“In the end, MBS is really about good music. Which is why having someone
of Patrick Thomas’ calibre and standing as a director is so important to
the Station’s future.”

Ian Woodward is a company director and corporate business executive, who
has recently formed his own executive communication training company. A
former CEO of the Australian Gas Association and head of the Tasmanian
Cabvarchar(15) Office, his personal interest in music goes back to the days of the
Youth Concerts where he chaired its advisory committee. He has been a
volunteer broadcaster on MBS for some years with a particular passion for
audiophile classical recordings.

Patrick Thomas, one of Australia’s leading orchestral conductors has been
associated with the major symphony orchestras for the past forty years
including being the Chief Conductor of the Queensland Symphony Orchestra.
He has performed with orchestras internationally, recorded extensively and
is a judge for the MBS Young Performers competition.