Christian broadcast network, Vision FM, will reach 66 new communities across Australia, due to donations to a national appeal.
During the annual ‘Dream With Us’ Visionathon appeal, 742 people pledged almost $130 000.
At the start of the appeal, gifts had already been received for 22 Vision FM stations in Tasmania ($110 000) and four in western NSW ($24 000). Since the appeal, another $20 000 has been pledged, taking the total to more than $283 000.
Donations will be used to install and support another 66 Vision FM stations in towns across Australia. These towns include:
Queensland: Kilcoy, Malanda, Mt Nomico, Texas and Thursday Island.
NSW: Banora Point, Brewarrina, Cobar, Gunnedah, Menindee, Nevertire, Parkes, Warren, Wellington and Wilcania.
Victoria: Charlton, Mallacoota Inlet, Sale, Tecoma and Wangaratta.
South Australia: Coober Pedy, Kingston SE, Whyalla and Woomera.
Western Australia: Cervantes, Dumbleyung, Green Head, Jerramungup, Kalbarri, Marble Bar, Mukinbudin, Tambellup, Toodyay and Wyalkatchem.
Northern Territory: Bathurst Island, Tennant Creek, Uluru and Yirrakala.
Tasmania: Bicheno, Bridgewater, Burnie, Campbell Town, Evandale, Geeveston, Hamilton, Hobart, Huonville, Kettering, Kingston, Lauderdale, Mt Rumney, New Norfolk, Ouse, Perth, Queenstown, Richmond, Ross, Scottsdale, Seven Mile Beach, Sorell, St Leonards, Strahan, Swansea, Triabunna and Zeehan.
Vision FM Chief Executive, Ian Worby, says the response to the appeal has been awesome: “We give the Lord all the glory, honour and praise. It is very obvious that God believes in Christian radio and so do many hundreds of generous Australians from all across the nation.”
The new stations will be progressively brought on air over coming months.
A non-denominational, non-profit operational network, Vision FM is owned and operated by United Christian Broadcasters Australia (UCB), which started broadcasting on one frequency in Beaudesert, Queensland, in February 1999. Five years later, it has 175 stations on air nationally, and is broadcast via the internet at www.visionfm.com.au