Like many of you, we are ready to say goodbye to 2020 and look to the future!
For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.
Jeremiah 29:11 New Living Translation
What 2020 has shown us is that we need to rebuild our studio space (to comply with the one person per four square metre rule) and equip the studios for remote broadcasting should the need arise in times of crisis (fires, storms, COVID, etc). We have known for a long time that our studios were too small, so now is the perfect time to make some changes.
We are having a special appeal to raise much-needed funds to:
- upgrade our studios to be COVID-safe and more suited to our needs for the future, and
- upgrade our technology which is approaching end of life.
How much we can do depends on you!
We’re Building Our Future… Together!
To make all the changes and upgrades we need to Build our Future will cost $242,600.
We have already raised about $73,000 through COVID Support grants and payments, and funds from our June Appeal, so we need to raise $170,000 to make up the shortfall.
Project costs include:
$10,000 to upgrade our IT environment to ensure that it is secure, stable and accessible. Our IT server environment was last updated in 2010.
$25,000 for new studio and broadcast equipment, equipping both studios to the same standard. This will help provide redundancy, make it easier to train new presenters and prepare us to meet future needs. We would be purchasing new equipment for our main studio and to provide better connections with Black Mountain Tower (BMT) and Isaacs Ridge, and will use our current studio equipment (purchased in 2012) for our second studio to keep costs down. The new antenna at Isaacs ridge will stop the drop outs on 94.3 when it rains so we can keep bringing you that message of hope.
$52,600 to implement a new automation system that brings us up to the industry standard and allows for remote broadcasting – this could also allow us to offer training and internships to young people who are interested in a career in media. Our current automation system is no longer supported.
$155,000 for the complete refurbishment of our premises to a more flexible open plan office environment with larger purpose-built studios. This will allow for multiple presenters and guests in the same studio, letting us bring back the interviews and shows that you love. Our station facilities haven’t been upgraded since 2007.
Having a station environment that is more suited to what we need to do will help us bring you better radio!
Grant funding
This year we have received some valuable grant support from CBF which will be put towards these projects. We received:
- $5000 + GST for Round 1 of the CBF COVID Crisis Grant
- $2900 + GST for Round 2 of the CBF COVID Crisis Grant