Pat Bamford spent most of her years raising her family and listening to her favourite Country music and Nostalgia.

In 1989, Pat joined radio station 3CCCFm as a Radio Presenter. Through the course of time, she won the hearts of many of her listeners ringing in for a chat and asking for their favourite request to be played.

Pat spent many voluntary hours in the background of 3CCCFm either on reception or panelling for the football and filling in for presenters that were unable to attend their show.

Pat is looking forward to being a part of CVCB!

Anne Conway has had a long and varied career in the Country Music industry.  She has travelled through much of Australia performing and also toured New Zealand with an Australian Showcase.

Anne's repertoire is not restricted to country music, she plays a good cross section of popular music and can work with a resident band or is fully self contained with her custom made backing, guitar and sound system. She is finding herself particularly in demand for cultural festivals and the like where she proudly showcases Australian history and culture.

Anne records on the Birubi recording label and currently has three CD albums available.

Anne no longer maintains the frenetic pace she once did with her music but still enjoys performing and as well as professional engagements appears at many fund raisers assisting those in need in much the same way as she herself was assisted at a time in her life when she needed help.

Involvement with community radio

Anne has been involved in one way or another with community radio since 1983 when she first took to the airwaves with 3CCC in Harcourt.

Over many years she has presented programs of various genres and was an anchor breakfast show presenter for quite some time as well as working on funded indigenous projects.

Apart from 3CCC, Anne has also presented for 4AAA, Brisbane and ABC Regional Radio.

In 2007 Anne joined the then fledgling Central Victorian Community Broadcasters (known as Phoenix FM) and was a foundation committee member. Anne has presented Indigenous programs during both test transmissions to date as well as a breakfast time-slot.

Floreena grew up with the love of country music running through her veins - singing with her family around the campfire on the Murray River's edge on fishing trips and singing with her father playing the button accordion at the family home.

The love of her favourite music eventually led to her forming her own country music band in 1977 called the Tumbleweed Country Band. The Band toured extensively through Vic & NSW and reigned for 25 successful years. Floreena recorded 3 Country Music albums.

The Tumbleweed Band has since retired. Floreena has continued on singing as a guest artist with other bands and at special functions.

Throughout her musical career she ran many successful festivals and concerts, working constantly for the community and many charity organisations.

In 1997, Floreena joined Radio 3CCCFM Bendigo Vic where she became a Country Music Dj encouraging live music in the studio, interviews and playing favourite requests. Floreena also trained many future announcers between 2000 and 2004 - some still broacasting today, 2008.

Zac Harris presents a show called Deja Vu every second Sunday, 6-8 PM with Co-hosts Rian Howells and Zac's brother Ben Harris. The majority of music played on Deja Vu is music that is not in current rotation on the charts at the present time. This guideline is often taken quite literally, and a very wide range of music is played, including everything from Enya, to Garth Brooks, to Little Birdy, to the Backstreet Boys, to whatever Zac, Rian and Ben feel in the mood for on the night of the show!

Zac has been a presenter with Phoenix FM from the time of the stations first test broadcast back in January 2008. He began by presenting the Youth Radio timeslot (4:30-6 PM) once a week, this continued for quite a while, until Zac felt it was time for a change. After filling in for a few presenters, and having a few different shows and timeslots, he teamed up with Rian and Ben to present Deja Vu, which has been going for quite some time now, and doesn't look like changing anytime soon.

Zac Harris was born in 1990, is a proud member of Generation Y, and enjoys dancing, reading, listening to music, participating in and watching Theatre Sports, baffling Ben with large words (although it happens less and less often these days!), baffling other people with large words (this is more reliable!), watching some of the funniest English comedies known to man such as Red Dwarf, 'Allo 'Allo, The Mighty Boosh, Top Gear (does this count?), as well as many other interests and activities too numerous to mention here

My show is called 'In real time'.

I'm an experimental musician and video artist from Maldon, involved with Undue Noise, Punctum, Drome and the band Planet Caravan with fellow presenter Justin Bull. As the name of the show implies I'm interested in sound that happens in real time, is original or experimental and preferably improvised.

Further information at http://antlion-simonhoward.blogspot.com/

I am the Webmaster for Pheonix FM. I have a passion for music and listening to community radio, partly due to my visual impairment. I have a part time DJ and sound business also. I have just completed the Diploma of IT at BRIT, and have several certificate 4’s in websites and IT. I studied cert 4 in Music Industry also.
Recently, I really enjoyed updating and maintaining the website for Pheonix FM , and I am very grateful for the opportunity and experience this has given me. I hope to be a presenter soon as I love Enya and many different music styles. I am 25 years old and wish to support Pheonix in any way I can, as well as pursuing a career in IT and web.    

was born 1991 in Bendigo and still live here as it is a great place to live.

In my spare time I am a volunteer Fire Fighter with the Bendigo Urban Fire Brigade; I have been with them since the end of 2007 and served on black Saturday in February of 2009, so I am on call 24/7-365 days a year. I also love music and that is one of the things that got me into radio with Phoenix FM. I joined with 3 other friends of mine and we present a music/talk show called “3 guys and a girl” on every Monday (Sunday night) from 12am till 3am. And also do “Youth Radio” from 4:30pm – 6:00pm every second Monday afternoon on which I keep a look out for young Australian musicians and bands so I might play there music on my show and also have them on for interviews to find out when their next show is and to support good Australian music.

At Phoenix I am also the Volunteers Co-Ordinator and a member of the Committee Of Management (COM) and intend to remain with Phoenix for a very long time (that is if they don’t get sick of me….)

There are a lot of opportunities and experiences I have had that I am very lucky for, but unfortunately I have not been able to get many of them in Bendigo, one of the lucky opportunities I have had is with Phoenix Fm for radio where anyone including youth can go to express themselves how they want in the community.

"Australia's Little Giant of Entertainment"

A unique tag? But then, Colin James is unique... ask his many friends around Australia. They will all tell you that Colin James is quite different... not just because he performs on stage in his wheelchair, but because he has crammed more into his lifetime than most able-bodied people have. For example, Colin has...

• Had more than fifty years experience as an accomplished entertainer,TV performer, booking agent, promoter, radio presenter, freelance journalist, motivational public speaker and community worker.

• Appeared on TV programs on several occasions, including Good Morning Australia, Getaway and The Great Outdoors, together with many other television variety shows.

• Performed on stage in most states of Australia, including regular spots on the demanding Sydney club circuit and at the Sydney Opera House. He was also one of the featured artists invited to entertain at the Papal Welcome, staged at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in 1986.

• Won many talent awards including the national TV show, "New Faces", where he performed his own inspirational composition, "If I Can Do It, So Can You."

• On the International scene, performed at clubs in New Zealand and America (Honolulu, Nashville and Washington where, in 1988, he sang to an estimated crowd of more than 8000 at the Kiwanis Convention held in Seattle).

• Released fourteen top-selling cassette and CD albums.

• As a songwriter, penned more than 150 songs, many of which have been recorded by well-known artists, including "Nobody Else But Little Me," sung by Chad Morgan in the award winning Australian film, "Newsfront."

• Been awarded the title of J.P. (Justice of the Peace) and, in 1981,received the OAM (Medal of the Order of Australia) for services to the community.

• In the year 2000, been chosen to carry the flame as one of the torch bearers for the Olympic Games torch relay.

• Been support act for many top Australian and International country music artists, including Reg Lindsay, Eddie Low, Frank Ifield, Freddy Fender, plus the late Slim Dusty and Marty Robbins.

• As a darts player, won several trophies in open competition using the 'blowdarts' technique which involves blowing specially made darts through a piece of metal tubing.

In addition:

Colin was recognised in 1995 for his efforts as a campaigner for the rights of disabled people and his efforts in fund-raising, by the National Telstra Phonecard, 'Local Legends' promotion. Colin's photo (as Victorian winner) was featured on $5 phone cards... now considered highly prized collector's items.

Despite his obvious physical limitations, brought about by the crippling disease of rheumatoid arthritis at the age of three, Colin has achieved all of the above - plus much more - through a positive, tireless determination to succeed, make the most of every minute in his life and triumph over any obstacle he encounters.

Colin says, "it gives me great satisfaction to have people describe to me how they have appreciated the words of some of my songs and poems. . . or how they have felt encouraged by "If I Can Do It So Can You".

On stage, Colin is a spirited ball of energy. . . ad-libbing with the crowd, performing 'golden oldies' as well as monologues, plus his own material - you name it!! His infectious love of life shines through in everything he does, nothing daunts him. Venues as diverse as on the back of a semi-trailer, on stage at large reception centres and clubs, etc., are all greeted with lively enthusiasm.

As a public speaker, Colin's message is both entertaining and motivational. He readily accepts the challenge of telling his story, interspersed with his songs, to people of all ages and walks of life as he travels to speak at clubs, schools, disability groups and even shopping centres. If his job is to capture the attention of his audience, he hasn't failed yet... failure is not a familiar word to Colin.

In the year 2000, Colin completed yet another major project... the research, review, update and marketing of ‘The Wheelie's Handbook of Australia’… a guide to accessible accommodation and tourist attractions for people in wheelchairs.

Married three times and now living alone once more (but he says, "I'm open to all offers"), Colin ’s personal life has been one of highs and lows. He returned to his old hometown of Bendigo in 2002, after 26 years living in Geelong, to be closer to his family and to resume his career in singing and entertainment .  This includes his fortnightly country music programme on Phoenix FM… every second Monday between 8 and 10 p.m.

Colin will continue living life to its fullest, earning himself such tags as Australia's Little Giant of Entertainment", the "dag in a bag" and "The Fastest Wheelie in the West", together with the latest one at the top of this biography. . . they're all appropriate for the man who says, "Even at my age (over 50) I have no intention of letting the grass grow under my wheels!"

G'Day , Ken Jones ,
I recently turned 57 , WOW where did that time go?
I have been involved with community radio for over 11 years,
firstly at Vision Australia Radio ( formerly RPH, radio for print handicalled) I still do several shows there a week.
I thought that Phoenix FM would give me a chance to play lots of my older , middle of the road music.
I am doing 2 Brekky In Bendigo shows and a few others as well.
I worked for Telstra for 25 years in fault annalisys so I come from a telecommunications background.
I also do Bush Poetry, and have competed in several State Championships, with a few minor placings, but still enjoyed that experience.
I also do talks on road safety and the long term effects of car accidents.
I retired about 12 years ago, and now call myself a full time volunteer, just doing what I can to help in this great community.

Cheers Ken Jones. as PW says Viva La Phoenix

I joined 3CCC shortly after it was formed, my first programme of “Scots Corner” was on the 11th.of October or November, 1982.

My introduction was a ten minute “ familiarization” of the Panel. The Panel consisted of two turntables and a tape deck, and of course the Cart machine. “Earphones on switch to cue, now wind back the record on the track that you want to play, and when you can’t hear anything you are cued up?”

Surprisingly enough, it went well, the programme started at 4:30 p.m., and the first one went for 30 minutes, this later changed to an hour and was always Monday afternoon.There came a time when the committee decided the programme  would be better on a Sunday, however the calls from listeners suggested otherwise, so “Scots Corner” went  back to Monday. The timeslot stayed for many years, and was increased to 90 minutes some time later.

This was a magic time at 3CCC, there was a constant air of expectation, remember the hard working committee was breaking new ground,and  kept busy ensuring that 3CCC was here to stay.

Jeff Langdon, the inaugural manager, left to take up a position in South Australia, and Gerry Pine took over, overseeing our move to Bendigo, where it was thought that we would have a larger profile, and be more accessible to a greater cross- section of the public of central Victoria.Gerry managed the Station for over ten years, until he moved to other areas of technology. I am glad to say that both Jeff and Gerry are strong supporters of Phoenix fm.

An old Scottish song tells us that “ when the battle is o’er the war has just begun”

So it is then with Phoenix, we have come through the “ war”, and who would have thought, that after about two years, we would have such a vibrant radio station, with so many supporters, and a “Bevy” of great, committed presenters.

I feel blessed that I am still on Community Radio [Still on Monday] and part of a great group, many of whom put in many hours to ensure the longevity of Phoenix fm.

CLASSICAL MUSIC WITH DAVID KENNEDY

Phoenix FM 89.5 offers a "lively and local" classical music programme with presenter David Kennedy on Mondays between 1.30 and 3.00 PM.

Phoenix this year set January as its month to promote local music and David responded with a continuing a series, "Classical Bendigo", to present music recorded by classical musicians of the Bendigo district.

This has  included Bendigo Symphony Orchestra, Ravenswood Trio, Bendigo Chamber Orchestra and Choir, Bendigo pianist Steve Briggs (Grieg Piano Concerto) and Maldon guitar player John Snowdon (Rodrigo Guitar Concerto), as well as student musicians Josie Graham (cellist) , Olivia Turnbull (violinist), Louisa Trewartha (trumpeter) and Edwin Spark (oboist).

David's been a classics enthusiast since he was 18 and recently on Phoenix celebrated 50 years with the classics by playing cd transfers from his favourite first recordings.

He started with with the pioneering 3CCC and this is his 22nd year as a Community Radio presenter.

Got some CD's by local classical musicians? Contact David on 54 431849 or hortulus@iinet.net.au

Kraig has had a long and varied history within the Media and Entertainment industry, and Australian Rules Football

Radio announcer, actor, entertainer and Aussie Rules player & umpire, Kraig began his career as a singer back in the early 1970's until the early 1990's. During this time he appeared on a variety of popular shows including 'Young Talent Time', 'Bert Newton's New Faces' and many others. He has also appeared in 'Cop Shop', 'Skyways', the first episode of 'Young Lions' and was featured on the popular BushVision show 'Talkabout'. He has also appeared in television commercials in the USA, England & Australia. Kraig was also a semi-regular on the Melbourne stand-up comedy circuit during the mid to late 1990's until he 'migrated' to Sydney to volunteer at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games

Kraig played Aussie Rules with M.H.S.O.B while at school, but suffered a career ending injury during the pre-season at Box Hill in the VFA in the early 1982. He then took up the challenge to become a boundary umpire in that same league in 1983, before (once again) finishing his career with another leg injury. In 2005 he took up umpiring again with the Western Border Football League for another couple of years.

He finished his career with five Grand Final appointments, umpired on the MCG and ran the boundary at Victoria Park during two Collingwood 'legends matches' in the 1980's.His career in Radio began with 3-RRR FM, co-hosting two long-running shows on the station, and interviewing such showbusiness legends as Venetta Fields, Ronnie Burns, Alan Lancaster (Status Quo), and many others. He also had a short stint on BLU FM presenting the Breakfast show five days a week. He followed this up reading news during the Breakfast show on 5-GTR. Kraig was also a co-presenter/writer of the popular internet Radio program 'Greetings From Australia', on DownunderRadio.com, with his politically incorrect character 'Krazy' Kraig.

Kraig is still involved with Aussie Rules as the founder of the popular website AustralianRulesFootball.com.au.

Geoff Morris is a bluegrass music devotee. He says he wakes up every morning with snatches of songs in his head!

Geoff grew up playing the piano, classical style, but "discovered" country and folk music when he went through University graduating in Law, Arts and Social Work.

He has been involved in mainly talk-back radio for many years and, for the past fourteen years, closely involved with broadcasting on local community radio.
"I have a passion for community radio, its principles and philosophy and for its accessibility to a wide range of individuals and community groups usually excluded on commercial radio," Geoff comments.

He has been broadcasting bluegrass music for several years in Central Victoria and, more recently, has taken up the challenge of internet presentation, doing two three-hour shows per week on worldwidebluegrass.com reaching listeners in Australia, America and around the world.

Geoff has now taken up a position as Vice-President of the newly created Central Victorian Community Broadcasters, a group dedicated to the rediscovery of genuine community based radio.

I started out in Community Radio at the tender age of 12 in 1990 at a Community Radio station 3CCC in the sleepy and leafy town of Harcourt. I presented various programs from 1991-1996. These included The Power Station, The Morning Show and Youth Radio. I really enjoyed sharing my eclectic tastes of music with my dedicated listeners.

I also covered for other presenters. Some of these programs included: Reggae, Country, Multicultural, Koori, Sport and Breakfast. This gave me invaluable on-air experience! I was also editor of the station's newsletter called VOLTALK for a while as well. I love to write and this was again very valuable experience. I also enjoyed participating in radiothons, outside broadcasts. There may now be the Internet, iPods and other new forms of technology. But radio will always remain King as far as I am concerned!

During my time at Phoenix FM I have presented a program dedicated to promoting women's issues and playing the finest female voices. That program was called Sistaz with Voice. I now present a different program called Raining Pleasure in which I promote young, independent bands and interview various musicians and other people of interest.

My new program is called A Secret in the Shape of a Song. You could say that by naming my program after a Triffids’ song (Raining Pleasure) and then a line from another one of their songs called: Suntrapper that I am a huge Triffids fan! I love The Blackeyed Susans, too. I have been lucky enough to have interviewed Rob Snarski (Susans), Phil Kakulas (Susans) and Rob McComb (Triffids). I have met Graham Lee as well. They are great guys. I have also met Mark Seymour from Hunters and Collectors, and I have interviewed other terrific artists including Suze de Marchi (Baby Animals), John Brewster (The Angels), Rick Brewster (The Angels), and Doc Neeson (The Angels). I have also interviewed Steve Lucas from X, Jeff Duff from Kush, Mike from Spectrum, and heaps of other bands including some indie acts: Regular John, Daisycutters, Sadhana, Kristy Lewis and the Wretched, Crystal Thomas, Xave Brown, Epicure, Jonah’s Road, Liz Stringer, Texas Tea and a whole heap more… too many to mention!

If you are an unsigned band/singer/songwriter and would like some airplay, feel free to send me your music via the station. I am also looking for new bands to interview as well.

I am also an emerging artist. I am a painter. I studied the Bachelor of Visual Arts (Honours) and graduated with First Class Honours in 2000. I have exhibited in many galleries including: Brunswick Street Gallery, Melbourne, Bendigo Regional Art Gallery, Bendigo, George Paton Gallery, Melbourne, Gasworks Arts Park, Melbourne, Tap Gallery, Sydney, Linden, Melbourne, Steps Gallery, Melbourne, Parramatta Artists Studios, Sydney, Synergy Gallery, Melbourne, Central Goldfields Art Gallery, Maryborough, Gallery B – BRIT, Bendigo, 15W Gallery, Melbourne, Intrude Gallery, Melbourne, Phyllis Palmer Gallery, Bendigo and many more.

I am an Expressionist artist who gains inspiration from Wassily Kandinsky, Franz Marc and August Macke. It is my intention to express emotions rather than represent external reality. I do this by applying bright, bold colours, exaggerated shapes and distorted imagery.

You could say that music, art and radio are my three great passions! I love learning languages, too and I can speak German, Indonesian, Japanese as well as some Italian, French, Afrikaans, Chinese and Spanish… but that is another story!

Name: Ian Pieper.
Born: 1950.
Position: Full-Time Dad.
Passtime: Learner Guitarist.
Passion: Blues Music.

Any additional information (about my life up until now) is just plain boring.

My involvement as a Presenter with community radio commenced in 1987 in Harcourt, and later Bendigo and Echuca. I have enjoyed the contact with the wider community in this particular way, mainly playing easy listening, and contemporary Christian music and seeking interviews with a variety of people. I have worked with a team of Presenters and currently with Ian Shelton. The opportunity to be a Central Victorian Community Broadcaster with Phoenix FM has been an added enjoyment.

I am interested in people of all ages, including coordinating a Playgroup, teaching Christian Religious Education at two state primary schools, a member of the Bendigo (state schools) Chaplaincy Committee and am also part of the Chaplaincy and Pastoral Care team at La Trobe University - Bendigo campus. As well I have involvement with a number of church and community groups.

I have lived in a variety of towns, mainly rural, in three states, including in the north west of South Australia at Coober Pedy. Married to Barry - an active 'retired' Anglican minister, a mother of three married adult children, and grandmother of three grandsons, keeps me alert and involved in a wide range of issues and interests.

I present Crazy Talk/Word Berserk. I am an honours Student at La Trobe University Bendigo, in Philosophy and Religious Studies; Literature, Art and Film.

I am on Phoenix Fm because I believe in what Phoenix has to offer. No where else will you get the diversity of Gospel, Country music shows, Koori themed shows and Poetry and Experimental music? My father, Bryan did a show on 3CCC in the 1980’s called the Keyboard Hour for a bout 8 years, until he died. That is partly why I joined Phoenix but mainly it’s because of the diversity we offer people and also I really do feel that we are an important vehicle, an important voice for the Community at Large. My interests are Poetry, Literature, Music, Movies, Cultural Awareness and Philosophical pursuits.

My show is basically a Late Night Radio Show for Artists, Poets, Musicians and Creative Thinkers of all types to come and inform, enjoy, entertain and inspire each other. So join me and my guests from the local Artistic Community to be inspired, to be entertained and informed.

Ian presents Sunday Morning Gospel on Sunday morning. Expect easy listening with a variety of music styles, including Contemporary Christian artists, Worship, Country Gospel and Traditional. In addition, there will be news and information from churches around the listening area.

Also on Sunday afternoon, he co-presents “Keeping in Tune” with Jenny Rainsford. As well as music, we have an interview or two and more news from local churches.

Ian has been presenting radio programs for Anglican Radio for about 9 years. He began with the former 3CCC in the McCrae Street studios. This has extended to occasionally operating the panel for presenters of the Bendigo Minister's Fellowship “Invitation to Life” program. Usually monthly and then occasionally fortnightly with Jenny Rainsford, he presented “By The Way”, a program of reflections, music, and news of the Church in Australian country towns at 5pm on Sunday night. For a long time our theme was Country Music and Gospel performer, Steve Grace's “Australian Country Towns”.

Ian is a life member of Central Victorian Community Broadcasters having supported the move for a return to real and accountable community radio since its beginnings. He believes that Community Radio should be diverse, accessible, welcoming – and accountable! He presented on Phoenix FM during the first test broadcast in January 2008 and their second in June 2008.

Peter Sheahan is a multi-talented member of the Phoenix FM team with many years of radio broadcast experience under his belt.

Peter currently presents an overnight show once a week called “A Little Bit More Country” and can also be heard during the day-time airwaves.

Peter is married with children and grandchildren and his family are an integral part of his life.

Leader of Easy Rhythm Band, Peter and his wife Evelyn regularly perform charity shows – especially for the elderly.  Peter and Evelyn are known through many parts of mainland Australia and also Tasmania and usually spend several months each year out “on the road”.

Peter has received numerous awards over the years for his commitment to Country Music, his songwriting and performances.   He also has several C.D. albums available.

Peter can be contacted on (03)  5446 3805

Image by Todd Baxter.

I compose and perform experimental music/sound art, sometimes with beats, and also work with video. In addition to composing under my own name, I am a member of fourcast, a quartet of artists (visual, dance and sound), who create installations during residencies; and am a member of punctum, an experimental theatre group, led by jude anderson, which recently performed shack at various venues in central victoria, including the castlemaine state festival and eaglehawk dahlia and arts festival.. With my wife fran, I also produce music from models of fungal growth and had an installation called fungus! recently at Allans Walk artist run space. I also curate concerts (under the banner undue noise) and exhibitions, and run an australian sound art label cajid media. (with fran). In my previous life i was a lecturer in microbiology at la trobe university. further information at http://cajid.com/jacques.

I have been involved in community radio station 3CCC-FM from 1982 until my resignation in 2007. During that period i presented film buffs preview - a weekly film program for about 3 years, before & after science - a science show with a touch of humour - for about 2.5 years (with fran soddell & dudley horque), and until recently, possible musics, australia's longest running experimental music radio program (1983-2007). In the first test broadcast on Phoenix FM I presented "Static Iterations" which featured Australian experimental music, and the all night "avant-graveyard". In the second test I presented "mix-up", a program concentrating on technolgy in the arts.

JACKSON Saunders is passionate about sport and the media.
The 19-year-old presents ‘Talking Sport’ each Friday night from 6.30pm on 106.7 Phoenix FM.
His comprehensive 90-minute program features the latest news available from a number of sports in Bendigo.
Though some sports are covered more than others, no sport is overlooked on the program.
News from local football leagues is a highlight of the program, though all sports are given regular exposure. Sports such as basketball, cricket, rugby union, athletics, swimming, la crosse, tennis, soccer and many more sports, are among the sports that have regularly featured on the program. Winning Post newspaper columnist and local race caller, Ben Sporle, also joins the program most weeks at 7.40pm for the regular ‘They’re Off and Racing segment’. ‘Talking Sport’ usually consists of four or five interviews, as well as a number of reports, and your thoughts. Jackson in his role as host and producer encourages listener input. Most weeks a question based on a sporting topic is announced on air, and responses welcomed to be read out on air. In addition to broadcasting ‘Talking Sport’ each Friday night from 6.30pm, Jackson Saunders also leads the calling of the station’s broadcasts of the Bendigo Pioneers games in the AFL Victoria TAC Cup competition.

Many famous guests have also shared their thoughts with Jackson on Phoenix FM.
AFL footballers that have featured on the show include, former 219 game AFL player Nathan Brown; former 297 Richmond player Wayne Campbell; Richmond rising star Dustin Martin, Hawthorn premiership player Brent Guerra and Essendon’s Ariel Steinberg. Bendigo Bombers coach, 1999 AFL Norm Smith medalist, and premiership player, Shannon Grant has also spoken on the show. A number of former Australian test cricketers have also spoken on the show including former captain Mark Taylor, and teammates Matthew Elliott, Tony Dodemaide, and Simon O’Donnell.  Other high profile guests have included 1956 Olympic gold medalist Faith Leech, world renowned yachts-man Glenn Ashby, who is a seven time world champion in the A-Class catamaran. Three time Olympic silver medalist, and talented basketballer Kristi Harrower, Australian netball captain Sharelle McMahon, and 2004 Olympic gold medalist Chantelle Newbery have also spoken on the show.
Jackson also recently worked at the Bendigo Advertiser for 15 months, and has developed a strong list of contacts, who regularly share their thoughts on ‘Talking Sport’, which follows ‘Talking AFL’ at 6pm.

Jackson also leads the calling of the station’s broadcasts of the Bendigo Pioneers games in the AFL Victoria TAC Cup competition. So tune into ‘Talking Sport’ each Friday night from 6.30pm, and keep an ear out to find out when the Pioneers games are live on the radio. For sporting interview ideas, email jsaunders@graytech.net.au

Platform One is a program that allows the youth of Central Victoria the opportunity to dabble in radio. They get the opportunity to promote their organisation, play some of their music and have some fun. Craig Whan is the host of Platform One and he has been involved in Youth Organisations for over 20 years.

He has been involved in Scouting, starting as a Cub Scout Leader in 1984 and working up to Victorian Branch Commissioner - Rovers a role he currently holds. He has also been involved in junior football and cricket clubs around Bendigo. Craig's involvement in Community Radio started in the early eighties when he presented a breakfast program for Plenty Valley FM in Melbourne's North East. There was a long break between stints whilst Craig and his family moved to Shepparton and then to Bendigo. Craig was trained as a Radio Announcer at Bob Taylor's Radio Announcers Academy in the early eighties. Craig looks forward to working with the Youth of Central Vicotria and their organisations to provide them with another avenue of promotion..

Bill presented a mens show called “Secret Mens Business”. This was a humorous show for the most part but also touched on serious matters like men ’s health.

Bill has not presented on air before but has spent many years in the wings of community radio assisting with setups etc.

He is often seen providing and operating the sound equipment at local community events and for his partner, Anne Conway.

Bill is a member of the Management Committee of CVCB for 2008-2009 and was a member 2007-2008.

I was born in 1963, I am married and have a gorgeous 7 year old Daughter, and we now live in Eaglehawk (a suburb of Bendigo).
 My interest in Community Radio Started in 1986, when I became a volunteer at Goldfields Community Radio.
 I was involved with production of Sponsorship announcements.
 Production of recording of bands.

I worked for 3CCC FM both as a volunteer, and for about 6 months as a paid staff member.
In 1986 I had started working in the Communications and Security Industry.

I now operate my own Business and have done so since 1991.
Working as Locksmith and communications contractor for various company’s including Australia’s largest broadcast provider as a faults and maintenance technician. We are also registered by Victoria Police as a Private Security Company.

Over The Past  Four Years there has been a lot of work to get the technical side of Phoenix FM to where it is now.
Most of the equipment we have is brand new.
And we now have state of the art transmission equipment including digital delay and digital processing. The equipment and facilities we use is something that most Community Stations only ever dream of. This has only been possible by the fantastic support that we have got from the Community.
We broadcast locally from Bendigo with a power of 150 Watts, Vertically polarised on the FM band.

Using single folded dipole antenna. With  a unity gain.
In late August 2009 year we moved to new premises located in reservoir Road, Kennington in Bendigo.
The new facilities have an on Air studio, As well as a meeting room and reception area.

Inside the ON AIR studio is very spacious and can easily accommodate several people. The equipment consists of a new sixteen channel stereo desk with Three CD players and three Computers running a Cart Programme (for Sponsorship announcements).
Music Software with over twenty seven thousand music files, as well as live email and Broadband.

We have also installed a second on air studio using an identical mixer to enable presenter training, and production.
All of the equipment we use is brand new, and state of the art, including a Digital Audio processor capable of a Digital output when we eventually go to digital.

The sound of Phoenix FM is a very natural sound even though a small amount of Digital processing is used.
In fact most people that have heard the station have commented that the station did not have a ‘boomy’ sound, broadcasting in natural Hi-Fidelity Stereo.

The location of the transmitter means that were able to reach all of Bendigo with a strong clear signal.
Reception outside the township was reported in some cases as much as 100 kilometres away.

Phoenix FM Broadcasts are streamed on the internet and in fact we were the first Community station to do so in Bendigo. We have also been trialling streaming vision as well when we do outside broadcasts, This is a new area for us but as time moves on I think that we will quite naturally broadcast vision and sound on the internet and broadcast FM on the Analogue dial and possibly vision as well when we are using the Digital platform.

Our streaming  listeners have been from most parts of the world, with some late night presenters getting a real surprise when someone rings up to say they are listening at work in places such as Ireland and Canada.
Almost the entire programme we broadcast is produced by dedicated members of Phoenix FM.

We also present programs in languages other than English. Some programming from the Community Radio Satellite is used in the wee hours and we use National radio News from the CRN.

We have a growing list of people willing and eager to get on air and share their ideas and ideals, and we look forward to a bright future serving the Bendigo Community.
The Phoenix has risen in Bendigo

Viva La Phoenix
J
Peter Williams