Tasmania’s Edge Radio has launched a survival campaign called, appropriately enough, `Save Edge Radio´. The campaign calls on the community to help save Tassie’s only independent, youth, arts and culture focused broadcaster from extinction.
Despite both major parties courting the station prior to the recent election by matching each other’s promises of $50,000 p.a. of funding, Edge Radio remains in dire financial straits and needs the local community´s help to survive.
Station Manager, Melanie Page, is confident that the Tasmanian community won´t allow Edge to disappear, but admits that the next few months will be critical.
“In the short-term, we have done all we can to reduce operating costs. We have made significant cuts to staff hours as well as hosting our first Radiothon to increase public awareness and to raise money.
“However, at this stage Edge Radio does not have the funds to continue broadcasting longer than the next few months, so we need to raise funds before the end of the financial year.
“Edge is financially viable as community radio station, but its dependence on sponsorship income and one-off grants results in budgetary fluctuations that impact on day-to-day operations,” says Page.
Edge Radio will continue to explore partnerships with State, Local and Federal Governments as well as the University of Tasmania, to secure ongoing core funding in order to ensure the station´s long-term viability.
This potential core funding along with current sponsorship will assist the station to keep broadcasting, but Edge needs the greater community to get behind the station and contribute financially. Edge Radio is a not-for-profit organisation that contributes over $20,000 per annum in the form of community service announcements and with a small dedicated staff and more than 100 volunteers and presenters it has grown into an important cultural asset.
“Edge is an important training ground for college and University students. It supports emerging bands and covers a number of Tasmanian events. Most importantly it also gives young people a voice of their own, which is priceless,” said Page.
“The closure of Edge Radio would mean the loss of over 120 hours of locally produced content and a voice for numerous community and educational groups,” says Page.
Save Edge Radio will be officially launched at Salamanca Square on Saturday 29th May with a rally 11am – 1pm, encouraging the public to sign a petition which will be taken to Minister O´Byrne on Wed 2nd June.
Tax deductable donations can be made at www.edgeradio.org.au/donations.php .