Where can I hear MainFM?

We broadcast throughout the Mount Alexander Shire:

• Castlemaine
• Campbells Creek
• Chewton
• Barkers Creek
• Maldon
• Newstead
• Harcourt
• Taradale
• Vaughan
• Fryerstown

You can also hear us further afield – we’ve had reports of MainFM being heard in:

• Daylesford / Hepburn Springs
• Kyneton
• Woodend
• Maryborough
• Creswick
• Avoca
• Some areas of Bendigo
• Some areas of Ballarat

Can I hear MainFM on the internet or an app on my phone?

Definitely.  You can hear us with the TuneInRadio app on your smartphone, or visit our Listen Live page to stream us over the internet.

How many presenters do you have?

There are over 70 timeslots on our program grid.  Many shows have been running for multiple years, but there are always new shows starting and old presenters retiring.  On average we have about 65 presenters at any given time.  Some of them do more than one show, and some shows have more than one presenter.

 

How might I have a show on the station?

The first step is to have a think about what type of show you would like to present.  Do you have an interest in a particular style of music?  Are you an expert or have a hobby-interest in a particular topic?  Maybe you just like to talk to lots of interesting people and play nice music in-between?

The next step is to send us a proposal for your show.  You can fill in a program proposal here: http://mainfm.net/workwithus/ Our Programming Coordinator will get in touch with you to discuss your idea in more detail and tell you about any opportunities that are currently available.

The next step is to undergo our training program.  It’s largely hands-on, with mentoring by some of our most experienced presenters and culminates in recording a pilot program that could be your first show.

For more information, call the station on 03 5472 4376.

What makes community radio different?

Community radio is all about local presenters and producers learning to create programs using local voices.  The programs on community radio not only cover news and topics that are important to people living in the local area, but also cater to the diversity of interests throughout the community.

Community radio is not for profit.  This is important because it maintains an independence of the content that is broadcast, so that sponsors who help support the station do so out of a genuine belief in the importance of local radio – they can’t have any influence on what music gets played, or what ideas get expressed.

Being not for profit, it also means that community radio is owned and operated by the community.  This results in most community radio stations being run almost exclusively by volunteers – which means everyone in the community has an opportunity to have a say about what gets broadcast.

Who chooses the music on the station?

Each program is independent of each other – this means that it’s the presenters who decide what actually gets played during their shows.

As a responsible community broadcaster, we have guidelines about what is appropriate content for a particular time of day – especially around explicit language and extremely dissonant music – however at no time does the station stipulate that particular music must be played at a certain time.

Click here for more information about national guidelines for community broadcasters

How can I promote my local event or service on your station?

We love to promote local not-for-profit or important community services – that’s what community radio is all about!  Go to this page to find out how you can list your event on the Lowdown (our Community Service Announcement segment.)  Or send a one page press release to news@mainfm.net

What is a Subscriber and how can I become one?

Subscribers are very important to us… we love them!  They are listeners and community members who want to support the station and express their appreciation.  Click here to find out more!

What is a Member and how can I become one?

Membership to MainFM is available to anyone in the community.  Members can vote at our annual general meeting and it is compulsory for presenters at MainFM to be financial members of the station.  Click here to find out more!

What is a Sponsor and how can I become one?

Sponsors are a vital part of the MainFM community.  Local businesses can become sponsors of the station and enjoy the benefit of hearing their 30 second sponsorship announcement played on air at regular intervals all day and night.  If you are interested in sponsoring the station please click here!