Eden community radio station 2SEA received its first full broadcast licence in 2000, after two years hard work by a committee led by David Richardson, and the station is still going strong 20 years on.
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Graeme Wykes spoke with the Magnet about the station. "Yes, we have survived the fires, we are surviving the virus, and it's full steam ahead for 2SEA FM, your resilient local community radio station."
"Even though the fires and pandemic have caused us to lose some volunteers and sponsors through these trying times, the committee continues to forge ahead with positive plans for the future," Mr Wykes said.
The station has recently renewed its licence for a further five years, servicing the Sapphire Coast from the Victorian Border to north of Tura Beach, with a wide variety of presenters and sponsors within the area.
"With assistance from Splash Internet the station will soon commence live streaming, so our local shows will be zooming around the planet via the internet," Mr Wykes said.
"The station has a variety of great presenters and our shows vary from country and western to modern avant-garde sounds, with lots of classic rock and roll shows from many eras... there's a wealth of wonderful music to be enjoyed."
Each day variety of shows from the Community Radio Network are also featured, ranging from The Folk Show, Australian Music presented by a different well-known musician each show, the Tiki Lounge, and Deadly Beats.
"Sponsors have joined the station over the years to promote their business opportunities to the public, we are lucky to have their continuing support and are grateful," Mr Wykes said.
"The Pambula and District Community Bank Branch - Bendigo Bank came on board as a community partner and major sponsor this year for the next five years, which has been a major help in charting our way forward through the current economic uncertainty."
The station is a not-for-profit incorporated organisation totally run by volunteers, with the committee led by long term members: president Alan Mallard, vice president Graeme Wykes, secretary Henry Jones and treasurer Trish Jones.
"We are strong and united, ready to take on the challenges these strange and unpredictable times throw at us - we must mention the invaluable technical support we have received from Terry Love, Rudi Kubis and Richard Everett over many years," Mr Wykes said.
Allan Mallard has been the president for the last four years and hosts 'Al's Armchair Rock' on Saturday mornings.
He started at the station in 2005 after a neighbour recommended he announce on-air, and said he was very nervous to begin with.
"People like my music because they know it," Mr Mallard said.
"In some ways Eden is a good town out of luck, I know that Eden people need something, need to be recognised as Eden, they're special people.
"My policy has always been, don't talk about sex, religion or politics. So when I had Mike Kelly and Fiona Kotvos on air I simply asked them two questions: 'What do you like about your electorate?' and, "What don't you like about your electorate?" Mr Mallard said.
Hanns Eber hosts 'Two-Up Wednesday Show' each week.
Over two years ago, Mr Eber strolled up to the 2SEA marquee at the Merimbula Rotary Market to have a chat about his enormous personal record collection and was so passionate about his music that Graeme Wykes thought he was a natural for 2SEA.
His collection includes a massive 45,000 artists and 1.5 million songs.
"I believe I offer listeners a variety of music and presentation style that no commercial station can," Mr Eber said.
He is currently instrumental in the development of a retro caravan into a mobile outdoor broadcast studio and has constructed a chocolate wheel to be used for fundraising when summer comes around again.
"2SEA is undergoing some exciting changes as we head toward 2021 and because we're a volunteer organisation I recognise the complex issue in "steering" the station in a new direction together," Mr Eber said.
"I understand the need to engage with like-minded people to join our group, and to continually upgrade our equipment and keep up to date with new technical developments which will enhance our organisation."
Maureen Volentras has been on air in Eden and Towamba for 16 years.
"My program is called 'Don't Pin Me Down' allowing me to skip across all genres of music in several languages, and poetry and stories are included sometimes."
"There is great satisfaction in creating, preparing and presenting a two-hour weekly show. Community announcements inform listeners of events and more."
Doc Ryan has been with 2SEA for 12 months after moving to Merimbula from Darwin a few years ago, where he had prior experience on-air, and also in Queensland.
"I love community radio as it's personal - the announcers are real people doing something they enjoy," Mr Ryan said.
"It gives great social and community opportunities to meet and interview various people.
"There's great opportunity for local businesses to work together to promote local projects, local schools, charities and festivals.
"Our wonderful sponsors support the operation of the day today running of station, but fundraising is important to continue to improve and enhance the development of the station.
"To any men or women with IT or technical skills, or a desire to engage with our community via the air waves they would be most welcome to join our happy little team as we look forward to the next twenty years," Mr Ryan said.
Colin Wood has been a newcomer to 2SEA this year and said, "It's been a real joy to be associated with such a pleasant, easy-going group."
"There is a real sense of sharing a message with the community as whole, particularly considering the unusual and challenging circumstances 2020 has provided," Mr Wood said.
"Thanks to a very hard working, conscientious few, the station has continued to provide both information and entertainment to the beautiful, besieged, occasionally battered but never subdued South East.
"Thanks to the willingness among the staff of Eden Public School to participate, we now present a segment appropriately named 'EPS Drive'.
"Participating staff members make a musical request which we play to accompany their drive to work each Tuesday Morning. Although their music tastes vary, the enjoyment and appreciation is shared.
"Maybe the singing in the hallways is an endorsement of the support community radio can provide.
"Go 2SEA. All set for another 20 years."
2SEA can be found on 104.7 FM on Facebook and online.
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Leah Szanto
Regional journalist covering the Far South Coast of NSW.
Regional journalist covering the Far South Coast of NSW.
