RADIO Fremantle is counting down to 40 years on air, with a fundraising quiz night on November 26 helping keep the community station broadcasting for another generation.
Veteran presenter Larry Wale has watched the station grow from its early days in a former police station to its current home in Hamilton Hill, where new studios are nearing completion.
Mr Wale was among the original group who set out to establish Fremantle’s own radio station.
“I came home from work one night. My wife knew that I’d always been interested in radio, but never quite got there. And she said to me, ‘you’re going to a meeting tonight’,” he recalled.
• Larry Wale was one of the founders of Radio Fremantle.
The group, which included musicians, lawyers and others from the community, took about three to four years to secure a broadcasting licence.
Their first home was the old East Fremantle police station, where they operated from what Mr Wale remembered as a former cell.
The station also conducted test broadcasts from an old caravan near the water tower on View Terrace, with the signal reaching as far as Rottnest Island and Wanneroo.
The original vision was to play exclusively Australian music, although Mr Wale said broadcasting around the clock made that difficult.
One presenter, Ellen Dawson, has nevertheless maintained a commitment to WA music through his Twilight Zone program, which has aired every Monday night from 6-9pm for almost 40 years.
Mr Wale returned to the station after retiring from his regular job three years ago, initially offering to help in any capacity.
“I was happy to be the coffee boy,” he said.
He now presents his own two-hour program every Wednesday from 1-3pm, while also helping with admin, sponsorship, training and mentoring new presenters.
Radio Fremantle has made significant improvements over the past year, including installing solar panels to reduce electricity costs and securing funding for two new studios at its Hamilton Hill premises.
The new facilities will provide dedicated production and broadcast studios, allowing the existing studios to be used for additional production work.
The station has also run three training classes over the past year, with a growing emphasis on youth participation. Its youngest presenter is just 13.
Mr Wale said attracting younger broadcasters was vital to the station’s future.
“We can’t survive having older people and no younger ones coming on,” he said.
A Saturday afternoon program from noon to 3pm is dedicated to youth presenters, who discuss issues affecting their lives and the wider world.
Mr Wale said young people were often more perceptive than expected, particularly about issues such as climate change.
“I think the planet is in pretty good hands actually,” he said.
Despite the improvements, the station continues to rely heavily on sponsors and volunteers to cover its operating costs, including electricity, gas, water and music licensing.
“It’s always tight. It’s always tight,” Mr Wale said.
The November 26 quiz night will feature a silent auction of signed Fremantle Dockers men’s and women’s guernseys, with proceeds helping support the station.
The quiz night will be held on November 26 at the Beeliar Bowling and Recreation Centre with the bar and meals from 6pm and questions from 7pm. Tix $10 a head, so SMS your numbers and team name to 0407 689 131.
by STEVE GRANT