2024 AGM

President’s Report for year ending 30 June 2024

Thank you to the members of Braidwood FM Inc. for your attendance at our 2023-24 AGM, and for your ongoing support of the station over the past year. May the next year be an ‘annus mirabilis’ for everyone.

Although the past year wasn’t quite an ‘annus horribilis’ for the station, we continue to operate in a challenging environment. The many pressures of modern life mean that to stay involved in community radio, you must be dedicated. I extend my gratitude to all our volunteers who- if a cliché can be permitted- are the lifeblood of the station. Special thanks must go to my fellow committee members for their service this year. Without volunteers there can be no community, and without community, there is no Braidwood FM. I believe that grassroots community organisations- in particular grassroots media- have a crucial role to play in counterbalancing the maladies of modern life.

Of course, this is all for nought if the Internet goes down, the transmitter chucks a wobbly or the lights go off. Taking up arms against the irrepressible forces of Sod and Murphy is our tireless Station Manager, Mr. Gordon Waters. Once again, the station is indebted to you for your unfailing commitment to the day-to-day running of the station. I hope to relieve some of the pressure where this is concerned, in 2024-25.

The past year has seen continued economic pressures, which have been keenly felt in our district. Braidwood FM extends its gratitude to all sponsors and members of the station, who keep the ‘lights on’ every bit as much as Mr. Waters. We are currently looking at revamping aspects of our sponsorship and membership for 2024-25 and, no, it’s not what the cynics think! Braidwood FM ended the 2023-24 FY with a net surplus of $10,226.78- a fantastic result for a small station.

We are continually looking at ways to further engage with our community. A key aspect of this is increasing our outside broadcast (‘OB’) output in 2024-25. We have already put this into action, with broadcasts from Nerriga and Majors Creek taking place over the past few weeks.

This year we welcomed Bill Waterhouse onto the Executive Committee, who manages to fit at least 48 hours into every day. Crystal Hart has stepped up from her temporary position as Ordinary Member to fill the Secretary role. And finally, I became the new President of Braidwood FM Inc., with erstwhile President Rob Davidson becoming Vice President. Committee member Martin Gilby also had an eventful year, celebrating his 5^th year of broadcasting- a wonderful achievement. Late in 2023 we also celebrated Gavin Pillidge’s 20^th anniversary of broadcasting.

Wishing you a very prosperous year ahead,

 

William Renton (Billy Bob)
President, Braidwood FM
25 September 2024.