Radio88fm for seniors in Castlemaine was established by Ian Braybrook and Marilyn Bennet OAM in 2005.
Ian and Marilyn have spent over 35 years in community radio, Ian in senior positions, and they were both closely involved in the pioneering stations 3CCCfm and KLFM.
New beginnings
Community radio was new to country Victoria when 3CCC began in Castlemaine. It actually broadcast from Harcourt, 8 km from the town, from a studio built in disused railway building.
FM radio was largely unknown, therefore 3CCC had to work hard to gain acceptance. Within a few short years it became one of the most notable and respected community radio stations in Australia.
Radio88fm
Radio88fm has operated successfully and although restricted by the provisions of an Low Power Open Narrowcast (LPON) broadcasting licence, it nevertheless provides a good coverage of the city of Castlemaine.
'We saw a need for a service for Seniors as most, if not all, local stations were directed at younger people. We began broadcasting from a makeshift studio in the Old Castlemaine Gaol and currently operate from a studio in our own home', said Marilyn.
The bulk of the voice work is done by Ian and Marilyn with help from several friends with long radio experience. We pride ourselves in the professional quality of our broadcasts.
With regular State and National news services and supply information and suggestions of interest to seniors. The music content is drawn from the 1950’s to the present day, of a style appropriate to the age of the listeners, generally regarded as aged 60 and over. Most of the broadcast material is prerecorded but they do broadcast live from the studio too.
Marilyn was awarded an Order of Australia in the last Australia Day Awards for her long community service. This included close work in the music industry with musicians and artists management and her involvement with radio.
88fm has a long association and close involvement with organisation of events and in promotion of the Victorian Seniors Festival celebrations in the Shire of Mt Alexander. This includes Seniors Cricket matches and the award-winning opening celebration in 2018 which included a street performance by the Bendigo Chinese Dragon and Drums.
Face of the Festival
Ian was a face of the Seniors Festival in 2019, and here is his story.
'I love being able to communicate with people. I have made so many friends. Most of them I've never met.' Ian says.
The tone of Ian's voice is smooth and warm. When just nineteen, he trained at St. Vincent's School of Broadcasting in Collins Street. Ian has had a passion for radio all of his life. 'For as long as I can remember, since I was six or seven, I wanted to be on the wireless.'
Born in Daylesford into a very poor family, Ian and his brother were struck down with rheumatic fever when Ian was eight years old. It was a difficult childhood, times were tough and listening to the radio transported Ian into another world.
'It came to me so naturally-to talk on radio. However, in front of a crowd of people, I was terrified.' Naturally shy and with little confidence Ian became a laborer when he was thirteen, working in a series of lonely farm jobs. At twenty Ian became a radio announcer in the Riverina, but there was little money in it. Becoming a father at twenty-one Ian returned to laboring knowing radio could not support his growing family.
Although Ian's love of radio never left him, and he helped to establish community Radio KLFM in Bendigo and then Main FM in Castlemaine. Now Ian helps run a Seniors' radio station. It broadcasts programs of interest and also plays music from the 50's to the present day. 'But no heavy metal,' Ian chuckles.
Ian's passion has extended into writing books and being engaged with a wide range of community projects. He helped establish the Harcourt Apple Festival, the Harcourt Heritage Centre, and is involved with Mount Alexander's Seniors Committee.
'Radio gave me a voice and people listened to me. The spoken word is powerful.' Having come from a deprived childhood Ian now lives a nourishing life, with his wife Marilyn. 'Life is precious. Enjoy it. Do the things you love.' he says.
For more information and to listen online, visit the Radio88fm
Reviewed 16 August 2023