27/10/2025
MANAGER'S REPORT
Another year has swiftly passed us by. We celebrated 12 months as Connect FM in September 2024. Despite the weather, it was a success, and I look forward to celebrating 40 years as a fully licensed station in March 2026.
This year brought another successful radiothon, raising over $15,000 thanks to the efforts of our station members and the community—a significant achievement considering the rising cost of living.
A Presenters Training Course took place in the first half of 2025, leading to a notable rise in content on the station. Among the highlights is the revival of Local News, which is presented and produced by Ruth Ridgeway, along with the School Arvo Show, reintroduced by Bordertown High School teacher Cassandra Anderson for Year 7 students.
While it doesn't fall into the financial year itself, we recently received word that Danny Ryan, who hosted Confessin’ the Blues for many years and served as a board member in his earlier years, passed away. Condolences to Danny’s family and a thank you for many years of service to the station.
The Local Football Broadcasts mostly ran smoothly, with the only real issue being data connection at two venues. The team did a wonderful job, and it was well-received by the community. I have personally noticed a surge in streaming of the station throughout the weekday programs, along with increased positive feedback from the community about the presenters—a true testament to their work. In addition, our Spotify subscriptions more than doubled in the last 12 months.
For several years, I've emphasized the critical need for attention to our transmitters, with Bordertown being the most urgent. Without the generous support from Sean and Chantelle at Broadcast Components , our broadcasting efforts wouldn't be possible. The transmitter they loaned us for Naracoorte was replaced earlier this year thanks to an emergency grant from Community Broadcasting Foundation and subsequently installed at the Bordertown transmitter site. Funding has been secured through a One Forty One Grant ($5,000), along with grant support from CBF, and the 2025 radiothon, to replace the transmitter and antenna. Unfortunately, installation has faced delays due to weather conditions and is not yet complete as I write this report.
Keith’s transmitter is a priority for upgrades and repairs, requiring approximately $10,000 in electrical work to meet minimum operating standards within the next 12 months. Ideally, we need to raise at least $50,000 to properly execute this project, along with an additional $25,000 for studio enhancements across all transmitter sites. Once completed, these upgrades will be more cost-effective in the long run regarding power consumption, minimize the risk of the station going off-air, and improve our response time to any potential issues.
It's important to recognize Kaye Crawford for her remarkable adaptability across various on-air radio shifts and her crucial role in revitalizing Nunga Radio. Her contributions in the administrative department also deserve commendation. I would like to extend my gratitude to Jemel Wright and Jamie Zilm for their invaluable support in the programming department and for managing the station on several weekends, which has helped me achieve a better balance between my personal life and station responsibilities.
Additionally, Natalie Klitscher, in her role as finance officer and technical support for football games, has consistently gone above and beyond her volunteer duties.
It’s clear that the world has evolved over the years, making dedicated volunteers increasingly rare. This is especially true for an organization like Connect FM, which operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. This reality deepens my appreciation for the commitment and hard work of everyone involved. I eagerly anticipate what the next 12 months will bring for both the station and the community.
Kind Regards,
Sardia (Scad) Kakoschke
