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A Challenging Time for All

The past few weeks have been, undoubtedly, the most confronting time for all of us with

Mother Nature being in her most sadistic mood for many years, firstly with the horrific

bushfires experienced over the Christmas and New Year period

followed by violent storms and flooding and, more recently, onset of

Covid 19 which has just about brought the entire world to it’s

knees. At Lake Macquarie FM, we experienced a huge setback

with a direct lightning hit to our transmitter at Lake Munmorah

which put us off the air or two weeks but now, thanks to the

dedicated work of our President and Committee and technicians

we are assured that this will never happen again with special

backup equipment now having been installed as security for the future. As you know, we are

all volunteers and we do it because we love bringing music to the community, and we thank

you so much for your support and responses to our emails when all this was going on. This

is the very reason we do our fundraising in order to cover us financially when these sort of

problems occur. You may wonder how we are still able to broadcast to you and the simple

answer is that the entire studio has been sanitized and special filters added to the air

conditioning and an ionizer installed to purify the air. We must be the cleanest little

community radio station in the country!

Again, we appreciate your understanding and look forward to bringing you musical pleasure

for many years to come and to always having your support through your membership and

sponsorship.

In March, our outside broadcast unit were once again, in support of Warners Bay Rotary

Club for their annual “Loop Charity Ride”

and in attendance at the half way point,

where cyclists from all over NSW and

some beyond, enjoyed a few minutes rest

and refreshment before their return journey

to Speers Point. It was also the registration

point for those wishing to tackle only half of the course, which

included a number of families and riders of all ages, some even well into their 70’s. Among

the competitors were also some rather odd looking vehicles. Yes, it looked like a spaceship

but it was peddle powered. It warms the heart, especially seeing those families, mum, dad

and the kids, spending their whole day in the fresh air instead of being glued to the TV games

and mobile phones.

Lake Macquarie FM

97.3 Newsletter

April 2020

Two of our most popular Presenters, husband & wife team Ray & Bonnie Northey in the studio

Renew or Become a Member Now and Get a Bonus! Memberships of Lake Macquarie FM are renewable on the 30

th June 2020, so we are inviting you to renew

your membership now and receive the extra two months free. Just $5.00 a year will keep you in touch via our

newsletter and for those three year ($15.00) memberships, renew now and receive a bonus gift with our thanks.

Go to www.lakemacquarie.fm to download a form or cal1 the Secretary on 4970 5105 for one to be sent to you

Out There in the Community

Congratulations to our Easter Raffle Winners

As mentioned in our headline story, all of our Presenters and Management Committee are

volunteers, but in order to keep our equipment up to date and our transmitter in top working

condition, we rely on our Sponsors, the occasional Government

Grants, our Memberships and regular fundraising events to

enable us keep operating and to assist scores of community based

organizations and charities by advertising their various services

and events free of charge. Due to restrictions, Covid 19, our

Easter Raffle was drawn in the studio on Thursday 9th

April and

we are delighted to announce that the First Prize: Air Fryer was

won by Mr. Gabriel from Gwandalan; the Second Prize: 2200 Bagless Vacuum Cleaner won

by Mr. Mark Brett of Lake Munmorah; Third Prize: Four Sandwich Press went to one of

our Presenters, Mick Almond; Fourth Prize: Beauty Basket to Helen McNeill of Chain

Valley Bay and the Fifth Prize: Easter Bunny Hamper to Annie Fahey of Gwandalan.

Again, our sincere thanks to Wyee Markets, Halekulani Bowling Club and Lake Munmorah

Bowling Club managements for allowing us to conduct our fundraising raffles on behalf of

Lake Macquarie FM and congratulations to all of our winners!

Welcome to our New Presenter

We are delighted to welcome to our Lake Macquarie FM family PHIL TAYLOR, who brings to us a wealth of experience in radio, cinema plus

numerous other music related occupations and hobbies. Phil was born in

Newcastle, NSW, but spent about 7 years of his younger years in the

small country town of Barraba near Inverell. There was no television in

those days, just Saturday afternoon movies with cartoons and serials at

the local movie theatre. He attended St. Pius College at Kotara,

Newcastle and on leaving he was employed at Radio 2NX as a trainee technician where he

recorded interviews, commercials, cleaned reel to reel tapes and soldered wires. Every

Saturday night he recorded Jack Spearing’s Old Time Dance as well as attending

Broadmeadow Race Track to set up the equipment for race caller, Billy Hill, before going

on air, checking that the PMG line was working to the studio.

At the cinemas, and days before Dolby sound, he would manually put the effects through

the side speakers such as the whip cracking in the Mel Brooks movie “Blazing Saddles”

much to the delight of the owner Theo Goumas, who owned the Lyrique, Roma and

Kensington. He ran Greek movies on Sundays but, despite not be able to understand a word,

he still managed co-ordinate the music and singing through the side speakers. Phil joined

the Police Force in 1978 working in general duties at Pymble, Chatswood, Gosford, The

Entrance and the Police Radio Communications (VKG) at Surry Hills, Sydney and

Newcastle

After working as a Presenter for a while in local Country Music Community Radio, he

decided to join Lake Macquarie FM as, not only was it closer to home but, he wanted to

share the diversity of music that he collected over many years, and now enjoys the

friendships he is making with his fellow Presenters and in particular with the listeners.

Welcome Phil – it’s great to have you on board.

LAKE MAC FM MAILBOX (Here are a few great comments from some of our listeners)

“Thank you for the wonderful music you play. We always enjoy it and really missed you when you were off

the air, but so glad that you’re back”. Muriel & Ken ... Lake Munmorah

“So happy you’re back on the air again and I hope you’re all staying well. Keep up the good work as I

really love your music” Marie ... Gwandalan

“We have our radio tuned to your station all day long and we always enjoy the music on Lake Macquarie

FM and love the DJ’s as they are all so different. Best Wishes”... Jan & Frank, Swansea

Fine Tuning our Live Streaming

With the introduction of our new website comes the easiest way of live

streaming, 24 hours a day/7 days a week, on your computer from anywhere in

the world. So whether you’re in Newcastle Australia or Newcastle UK and you

have internet access, you can listen to Lake Macquarie FM

97.3 on your computer, your iPad or mobile phone

by simply going to www.lakemacquarie.fm and press the start

button on the radio picture and immediately you will get perfect

reception from anywhere in the world!! It couldn’t be easier!!

Another great invention, it seems, is an App called ‘Tunein Radio’

which is an alternative option of listening to Lake Macquarie FM globally.

Although we often curse it, technology can be a wonderful thing sometimes!

Presenter Profile

In his own words, Des describes himself as somewhat of a radio ‘tragic’, due to his 38 years

in radio. You can wake up to Des’ dulcet tones any Friday or Sunday morning from 6am

until 9am with his Breakfast Shows “Feel Good Friday” and Super Sunday (featuring Sunday

Six Pack). This timeslot is his personal preference, being a very early riser.

Des was born in Forbes and grew up in Sydney’s Northern

Beaches. He attended Harbord Primary School, then later Manly

Boys High School. On leaving school he worked for a few years

for an Insurance Company before moving to Innisfail, Queensland

in 1974 and into Radio 4KZ where he stayed for 9 months before

coming back to Sydney where he spent a couple of years working

in a Bank. The epitome of an “I’ve Been Everywhere” man

he then moved to Inverell and to 2NZ for three years. Then it

was back to Sydney where he was to be driving cabs for the next

26 years, In 1986, he joined a community radio station on the Northern Beaches before

finally moving to the Central Coast, but still travelled every Sunday to do his radio show.

In August 2010, Des joined Radio Yesteryear, which was the previous name of Lake

Macquarie FM, broadcasting from Kariong. He recalls being interviewed by some of the

committee and prominent Presenters, then being left in there to work out the operation on his

own! However, Des knew enough about radio that it didn’t take him long to figure out what

was what. He began with the Friday night spot and then was offered the Wednesday

Breakfast show. However, it was apparent that, due to the fact that the studio was outside of

their broadcasting area, it became necessary to move closer to the transmitter. So, all stops

were pulled out to find another studio for Radio Yesteryear and they finally found a home at

Halekulani Bowling Club, on the edge of our broadcasting area. Sometime later the name

was changed to Lake Macquarie FM 97.3. For his long service to community radio and to

Lake Macquarie FM in particular, Des was awarded an Honorary Life Membership at the

AGM 2019.

Anzac Day 2020 will be a day that we will remember with great sadness

and disappointment that we will not be able to observe with the usual

Dawn Services and other official commemorative gatherings during the

day. However, Lake Macquarie FM is proud to announce that we will be

broadcasting an Anzac Day Service over the air from 10am. Obviously,

the Forces Sweetheart herself will be featured as a major part of this

presentation. Dame Vera Lynn, who celebrated her 103rd birthday on the

20th March, will be among many featured wartime entertainers to help us

all remember the ultimate sacrifice made by so many. Lest We Forget

Des Simmonds on the Air

Presenter Toni Stevens at home with her dear friend Dame Vera

Dame Vera will Help us Remember

Programme Presenter Schedule (as of April 2020)

Here’s a handy list for you to keep so that you can see at a glance who’s on air and when:

(Note: Programmes and Presenters may change at any time – Programme updates in future newsletters)

Monday 6am to 9 am Jacaranda – Mondays Moonbeams

Monday 9am to 12 pm Martin Beggs – Around Lake Macquarie

Monday 12 pm to 3pm Warren Wheatley – Taking the Country Road Home

Monday 3pm to 6pm Clare Wheatley – Anything Goes with Clare Bear

Monday 6pm to 9pm Jerry Zarb – Chillin’ Out with Zarby

Tuesday 6am to 9am Bonnie & Ray Northey – The Good Times Two Brekkie Show

Tuesday 9am to 12pm Clare Wheatley – All Kinds of Everything

Tuesday 12pm to 3pm Peter Dixon – Pete’s Mixed Bag

Tuesday 3pm to 6pm Helen Hankin – Hit the Highway

Tuesday 6pm to 9pm Mick Almond – Heart & Soul

Wednesday 6am to 9am Ray Northey – Get Up & Go Brekkie Show

Wednesday 9am to 12pm Guest Presenter – Easy Listening Music

Wednesday 12pm to 3pm Peter Babic – Blues Fusion

Wednesday 3pm to 6pm Kerrie Eather – Wednesday Session with Kerrie

Wednesday 6pm to 9pm Wayne Osborne – Ossie & Friends

Thursday 6am to 9am Brian ‘Howdy’ Howden – Howdy in the Morning

Thursday 9am to 12pm Toni Stevens – Magic Memories

Thursday 12pm to 3pm Chareen Unsworth – Chareen’s Country & Western Collection

Thursday 3pm to 6pm Jerry Zarb – Driving Home with Zarby

Thursday 6pm to 9pm Malcolm Jack (Jake) – The B Sound

Friday 6am to 9am Des Simmonds – Feel Good Friday

Friday 9am to 12pm Colin Monk – Off the Record

Friday 12pm to 3pm Lee Jay Richards – Total Sound Spectrum

Friday 3pm to 6pm Mick Almond – Freewheeling Friday

Friday 6pm to 9 pm Guest Presenter – Upbeat Music

Saturday 6am to 9am Malcolm Jack (Jake) – The Saturday Show

Saturday 9am to 12pm Duncan Scott – A Taste of Honey

Saturday 12pm to 3pm Helen Hankin – Helen‘s Eclectic Mix

Saturday 3pm to 6pm Patrick Sewell – All The Hits With Pat

Saturday 6pm to 9pm Darren Rhodes – Rockin’ With Darren

Sunday 6am to 9am Des Simmonds – Super Sunday including Sunday Six Pack

Sunday 9am to 12pm Martin Beggs – Triple Treat

Sunday 12pm to 3pm Bonnie Northey – Sunday Sounds including Sunday Showstoppers

Sunday 3pm to 6pm Phil Taylor – Bits and Pieces

Sunday 6pm to 9pm Guest Presenter – Easy Listening Music

All music outside of these hours is computer generated.

Take a look at our new website www.lakemacquarie.fm Email info@lakemacquarie.fm

or find us on Facebook: Lake Macquarie FM 97.3 Call our studio on 4390 8973