Fresh FM radio station vibrates with new programmes
Tui Kraal, radio host for Youth Week. Photo: Ina Holst.
Fresh FM is a vibrant place that currently sees quite a change of programme-makers, says programme coordinator Paddy Brennan.
Whilst Paddy is sadly farewelling Clayton McErlane of TechHouse 101 and John Heighes as the Fresh Start producer and once-a-month host on the breakfast show, she is also welcoming new faces from the community to the radio station.
“Community Access Radio is not like commercial radio. We don’t have a rigid format which limits the style of music or the nature of the content. Things change all the time and new producers and programmes are already in place. We have an open door policy and I welcome everybody in here with ideas, or people who want to know how to use this radio station and be in love with it. It is a lifestream to planet earth and if you want to get your message out, it is a really good way to get it out there.”
True to the essence of community radio, programmes also need to be created by community groups that would otherwise not go on air, as specifically stated in the Broadcasting Act (1989): “...women, youth, children, persons with disabilities and minorities, including ethnic minorities”.
So, during this Youth Week (23-31 May), high school students Millie Eggers and Tui Kraal are hosting this Friday’s Breakfast Show and the high school band will air their pre-recorded radio debut. Fresh FM also got seriously behind NZ Music Month and had Tina Bridgman and Nikita Buys live in the studio.
The Tasman Brass Ensemble also played over the phone.
“Millie and Tui will have pre-recorded interviews with Sarah Watson, the GB Youth Council representative, and Nikita Buys will be playing live in the studio, and hopefully we have an update on CAS’s upcoming play organised by teacher Katie Lavers.”
Paddy points out that her aim was not just to pay lip service to Youth Week but to actively involve young people in the production of a radio programme. It is reported that about 45 per cent of young people feel that they do not get enough time with their parents, she says, and during Youth Week caregivers and parents are being asked to make time for their teenage and older children.
Further on Fresh FM, there is a regular programme on Health Views by Peni Connolly, Art Talk by Grant Knowles, Victoria Davies’ World according to Golden Bay, Saturday in the Country with hosts Diane and Terry Langford, Sunnyside Up by Dan Reilly, Jazz and Easy Listening with Chris Condell and Village Theatre Movie Reviews by Mik Symmons and Sarah Kay. The GB Weekly is also read out by volunteers once a week in a programme produced by Cindy Moul. In Our Kind of Music, theatre veteran Jim Chambers hosts the Golden Years of Show and makes a point that age is no barrier. Jim is 85 years old and started performing in 1938.
“People are enthusiastic about Fresh FM and we have a lot of young and old people and a little bit of that middle ground. I am keen for people to come in give us their ideas,” says Paddy.
Fresh FM not only fills its community role well, but the radio station also gained national recognition this year. Rubbing shoulders with Kim Hill and Paul Holmes, Fresh FM has again won “Best Music Programme in Any Language” in the access radio station category of the National NZ Radio Awards for the second year round. Fresh FM can be found on 104.8 FM, Tasman Golden Bay 95.2 FM, Eastern Takaka 95.4 FM (soon to change to 104.8 FM), Nelson and Blenheim on 89.2 FM. The full schedule is available on the internet on freshfm.net.
Ina Holst
