Go bigger or close the doors was the dilemma facing Gloucester's community radio station, so a fundraiser is planned to help keep it broadcasting.
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Early in 2020, Bucketts Radio was faced with the prospect of having to go off the air after 11 years of servicing the community due to raising running costs. The station put a call out to the community in April 2020 for urgent assistance to help it stay on the airwaves.
Related: Help keep Bucketts Radio on the air
The proposal is to build a new transmission tower on Kia Ora Hill and boost its broadcast reach. According to Gloucester Broadcasters Association (which manages Bucketts Radio) president, Shayne Holstein the current broadcast transmitter that sits on top of the Majestic Arcade building where the station is located barely reaches all of the Gloucester township.
"The new tower would mean that we will reach many more people as the radio signal will travel north, south, east and west into those hard to reach places," Shayne said.
The signal will be much improved into Barrington and surrounds, Stratford, Craven Wards River and possibly into Stroud Road and Stroud. East towards Krambach, and west, making it further into the wilderness of the Barrington and Gloucester Tops National Parks."
This new reach would allow the station to grow its listening audience, increase its sponsorship reach and volunteer base. The new tower will cost close to $50,000 to construct, with $33,000 already secured by a Community Broadcasting Foundation Grant.
To help the station reach its full fundraising goal, Gloucester Arts and Cultural Council Inc (GACCI) and the Gloucester School of Arts are co-sponsoring an evening of music with food and a silent auction.
The Raise the Tower - Bucketts Radio Fundraiser will be held on Saturday, February 12 at the Gloucester Country Club. It was originally planned for September 2021, however, COVID forced it to be rescheduled. There are three musical acts lined up for the event. Nowendoc native, Dan Higgins is on the line-up, along with Hester Fraser (aka Goldheist and a family connection to Gloucester) performing with her new group, The House of Jazz Collective and homegrown act, The Bowden Brothers.
Tickets cost $50 per person and includes a Chinese buffet dinner. At the moment, tickets are being sold based on the current COVID rules, with hopes this will increase closer to the date. Tickets can be purchased via https://www.trybooking.com/BSSWI or at Helloworld Travel Gloucester, 60 Church Street.
About Bucketts Radio
Formed in 2005, Gloucester Broadcasters Association Inc was granted its first temporary community broadcasting licence (TCBL) on June 1, 2009 and has been broadcasting as Bucketts Radio 104.1FM in Gloucester ever since.
It is currently broadcasting on its 13th consecutive TCBL which expires on May 31, 2022.
The station is 100 per cent run by volunteers, providing an inclusive and supportive environment for people to learn, develop and connect with the community through the love of music.
Like most community radio stations, it's run on a shoestring budget, with funding coming from sponsorship, membership and donations. Its ultimate goal is to provide Gloucester with local news, information and entertainment.
"Through this we can provide an outlet for volunteers to gain experience, build confidence and interact well with others," Shayne said. "We can assist community groups to communicate their events and activities, let the community and visitors know what's happening, promote causes and talk about community issues. But most of all we love to play a wide variety of music."