PHOTO: New-look committee: John Castles, Barb James, Bill Carroll, Ben Sheaves, Martin Bennett, Robyn Hull, Keith Ryan, Nina Sands, Neil Fester, Mel Skuthorp, Amanda Daniels.
“Well, that was an extraordinary meeting!”
Part-time radio station co-ordinator Bill Carroll shared the views of his fellow committee members after an Extraordinary Meeting was held at Coonamble Bowling Club on Monday evening 19 February.
With the clock ticking to fill key positions on the Coonamble Community Radio Committee members were delighted when not only were recruits found for the President and Treasurer roles but they came away with an additional Vice President, an Assistant Treasurer, a Technical Director and a new presenter as well.
Eighteen supporters turned out to discuss the future of MTM-FM, with potential closure as the worst case scenario if a full executive could not be found to replace the two officebearers retiring due to ill-health.
“Every organisation needs a committee to run,” Mr Carroll told the meeting
“We’re not broke, we’re financial, we just need the positions filled to legally operate.”
The meeting discussed ways to share the workload and to achieve the long-held goal of expanding the station’s broadcast area from a ten kilometre radius around Coonamble to between 60 and 100 kilometres.
They hope that this can be achieved by May this year in conjunction with the renewal of their broadcast licence.
When outgoing President Terry (Eccles) Lees called for people to put their hand up, an awkward silence was followed by a cascade of volunteers, including two options for the lead role of President.
In the end Keith Ryan was appointed President, with Nina Sands joining long-term member Robyn Hull as second Vice President.
Amanda Daniels took up the Treasurer position with Terry Anne Plain as Assistant. Outgoing bookkeeper Barbara James will guide the newcomers, hopefully with the support of a part-time paid administration position.
Newcomer Martin Bennett will contribute his experience in a south coast CB Radio club to the role of Technical Director, to help navigate the road to re-licensing and a bigger broadcast area.
Finally, high school teacher Ben Sheaves, who also has previous community broadcasting experience, became a member and will join the ranks of volunteer presenters.
“Monday night was a positive meeting,” said Robyn Hull.
“I am pleased with those who attended and for those who joined our committee.
“They bring fresh ideas and we are positive about our future. Our community radio station has so much potential and would would like to see the community get behind us as we continue broadcasting to Coonamble.”