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Our popular Music Trivia Night is back and it’s on Saturday 2 July at George Kerferd Hotel in Beechworth.

Tickets are $20 per person, with great prizes to be won amongst a whole lot of fun. Action gets underway at 7pm. Get your tickets here

Tables take 8 people max. You need to book and pay online – so get your table of 8 together and then email us at [email protected] to pass on your table booking name.

We have a couple of early sponsors for the event whose support we are very grateful for. Long-time supporter and sometimes radio presenter Greta Coghill is very excited to bring on board her new massage therapy business Kneading Change. Also Kerin and the team at the George Kerferd Hotel will once again provide a fantastic host venue up at Mayday Hills.

Food and drink can be ordered on the night from your table or you can choose to dine in their Restaurant before the event from around 6pm. 

Our host is Greg Morrison who has expertly hosted our Music Trivia Nights since 2017. As a former radio presenter here at Indigo FM, it’s always great to have one of the family on board to get it all cranking and Greg is exceptional as host.

For enquiries email us at [email protected].

It’s going to be a big night – looking forward to sharing it with you on 2 July!

True

Diversity

Indigo FM’s latest playlist 19.0 hit the airwaves in Beechworth, Tangambalanga and Yackandandah (as well as our Internet Radio Station) a couple of weeks back and continues our tradition of championing the cause for independent and Australian artists. Our 900 song playlist has in excess of 650 different artists.

Australian content has always been a major focus, to the point where we enshrine it in our policy with every playlist topping 50% since Sept 2014. Our latest playlist 19.0 goes way further with a startling 74% Australian content – our highest level yet!

Our mission puts diversity and community at the heart of what we do and with this current playlist we are pleased to say that 10% of our playlist is music from indigenous artists. Many current indigenous artists feature including Emily Wurramara, Ziggy Ramo. Miiesha, Dallas Woods, Alice Skye, Electric Fields, Kobie Dee, Yirrmal, Southeast Desert Metal, Tia Gostelow, King Stingray, Benny Walker, Kerrianne Cox, Rillakill, Birdz, Sycco, Baker Boy, Mo’Ju, Thelma Plum, Dan Sultan, Briggs and many more.

Local artists feature heavily with songwriters such as Nick Keogh, Julian James, Liv Cartledge, Toby Mobbs, Brent Shirley, This Way North, Sal Kimber, Surprise Chef, Ellen James, Gordon Dickson all having songs on 19.0. Whilst there are no songs from The Northern Folk, three of their side projects – Yours Georgina, Well Into Winter and Paul Dyason also make an appearance.

For something completely different / culturally diverse how does Egyptian 80s Disco sound? On this playlist we have around 8-9 songs from a project called “Sharayet El Disco” – a selection of Egyptian 80s Disco and Boogie cassette tracks selected by Egyptian DJ Moataz Rageb (Disco Arabesquo), based in Amsterdam, from his vast cassette collection. 

To take a gander through our latest playlist click here

To tune in click here

Neil “Funno” Funston has been a great addition to our ranks here as a presenter at Indigo FM Beechworth since late 2019 with his regular show Baby Boomer’s Revenge.

In recent weeks, Funno stepped it up a notch when he was appointed to the voluntary role of Beechworth Site Co-ordinator.

Neil is a relatively new resident of Beechworth, however, he and wife Robyn for many years successfully ran the Boorhaman North “little oasis” Renaissance Chocolates just a few km west of Rutherglen. So from chocolatier to radio organiser might seem an unexpected leap but there’s that meticulous craft element common to each.

Whilst Indigo FM is Neil’s first official foray into grass roots radio, he almost joined Radio Mansfield (Mansfield Community Radio) a few years back. As Neil explains….

“I’ve always had a big interest in music particularly The Beatles as I am a Baby Boomer and grew up with them. Radio fascinated me and in 2019 when we moved to Bonnie Doon while our house was being built in Beechworth I investigated the local community radio station, but I decided not to progress because we would soon be moving. So when we landed in Beechworth one of the first things that happened was Indigo FM had a street stall drumming up interest for new members and presenters – I met Scott at the station – I was hooked.“

The role of a Site Co-ordinator is a key one here at Indigo FM. Essentially the role is organising and supporting local presenters with their shows while also liaising with the local community to pursue partnerships and opportunities that enhance the programming and keep a strong local community focus.

“I am very community focused and want to do all I can to be inclusive in the community and offer things that will benefit the community as a whole“, said Neil.

For enquiries about all things Indigo FM in Beechworth – be it membership, promoting your business or community group or becoming a presenter – you can drop Funno a line at [email protected]

It’s that time of the year when we say thanks for your support throughout the year. And feel free to tune in any time to our FM sites or to our online radio station or a podcast. There are a heap of them and they can be found here. This article explains a bit about what you might stumble across.

2021 was another very busy year. Like everyone more Covid-adjustments on the run. We did manage to increase our number of presenters as well as our membership. Our podcasts also kicked a lot of goals both in terms of volume and weekly rankings which we have done now year on year for the past 6 years. We also settled in our Internet Radio Station. And a new studio in Tangambalanga.

2022 sees live streaming as our main goal – which our web designer is working on as we speak.

We have purchased a Rodecaster PRO courtesy of an Indigo Shire Community Grant. Inspired by the amazing programs from the Yackandandah Primary School students in 2021, our plan is to use this “mobile studio” to establish regular programs with Osbornes Flat Primary School and Wooragee Primary School as well as local Landcare groups. And we’re planning on adding Pirmary Schools in Beechworth and Tangambalanga to the mix also.

Xmas Playlist On Air Now!
This week we have switched across to a Xmas Playlist of around 250 songs that will run for around the next week. It’s on air now at each site as well as on our Internet Radio Stream. You can view it here Xmas Playlist 2021

It was largely put together by our Tech-Programming Sub-Committee. We decided to opt against Christmas Carols and instead go for the many fun and quirky songs that have been written and recorded about Christmas over the years. 

Many presenters will also be re-charging their batteries although a few will opt to continue through the festive season.

Our volunteer admin team will be taking a well-earned official break from 24 Dec – 4 Jan, back on deck on Wednesday 5 Jan. We’ll catch you then, all set for a big 2022.

Wishing you an enjoyable, safe and relaxing Festive Season

Our Radiothon for 2021 concluded earlier this week and was a great success. We wish to thank our sponsors Feather and Drum Hats, Kev McGennan High Country Photography, Outlaw Entertainment, MEGAS Music Wodonga, Kiewa Valley Dance, Backwoods Distillery, CC’s Quality Meats & Smokehouse, TINY Cafe and Wodonga Eyecare for their generosity in donating some great prizes as well as support in general.

And thanks to every member who signed up during our Radiothon. Your support is greatly appreciated.

So…. who won what? Here’s the run down below. Congratulations to the major prize winner Nigel Jones from Yackandandah who won the Custom made hat from Feather and Drum Hat Co. Nigel’s name was pulled first from our warped vinyl record bowl by Mietta who is one of our Yack Primary School presenters. The draws for prizes were undertaken by our younger presenters, Charles at Beechworth and Ada, Irena and Mietta at Yackandandah. Congratulations to all other prize recipients.

Charles, Doug, Ada and Irena prepare to draw the Radiothon prize winners

1st prize

A custom-made Hat by Cat Leahy from “Feather and Drum Hats” Yackandandah – valued at $450

Winner – Nigel Jones, Yackandandah

2nd prize

A framed High Country Photographic Artwork from Kev McGennan – valued at $380

Winner – Duncan Phillips (Outlaw Entertainment), Melbourne

More prizes

10 x Gift Vouchers to the value of $25

Winners:

• Sarah Kohne, Osbornes Flat
• Graeme Neil, Yackandandah
• Tim Jarred, Beechworth
• Ray & Suze Purrington, Yackandandah
• Phil Fraser, Beechworth
• Neville Grigsby, Chiltern
• Anna Fraser, Beechworth
• Katrina Witherow, Beechworth
• Jean Dean, Tangambalanga
• Stephen Draper, Wodonga

More prizes

Gift Voucher for one term’s dance classes valued at $72

Winner – Ariene Sorgdrager, Tangambalanga

More prizes

Gift Voucher valued at $50

Winner – Kelly and Geordie Graham, Yackandandah

More prizes

Gift Voucher valued at $50

Winner – Frank Prem, Beechworth

More prizes

Gift Voucher valued at $50 – for use in distillery door

Winner – Harvey Ballantyne, Yackandandah

More prizes

Wodonga Eyecare Gift Voucher valued at $50

Winner – Phil Buerckner, Yackandandah

Join or Renew by Tues 7 Dec to Win Cool Prizes

Our 2021 Radiothon has been extended by one week to take in 3 big community events. And we will have a presence at each.

• Saturday 4 Dec: Kiewa-Tangam Open Day @ 50 Kiewa East Rd, Tangambalanga
  • 10am – 4pm
• Sunday 5 Dec: Yackandandah Christmas Fair @ Memorial Park, Yackandandah
  • 9:30am – 2:30pm

That spells a whole lot of fun as things get pretty hectic as we gear up for the big Radiothon Prize Draw next Wednesday 8 December.

We have several fabulous prizes which include:

1. A Custom Made Hat valued at $450 from Feather and Drum Custom Hat Co
2. A large framed High Country Photographic Artwork valued at $380 from Kev McGennan Photography
3. 10 x $25 vouchers from musicaccessories.com.au / MEGAS Music Wodonga
4. 1 x terms Dance classes from Kiewa Valley Dance valued at $72
5. 1 x Gift Voucher to Wodonga Eyecare valued at $50
6. 1 x Gift Voucher to CC Meats Beechworth and Yackandandah valued at $50
7. 1 x Gift Voucher to Backwood’s Distillery Yackandandah valued at $50
8. 1 x Gift Voucher to TINY Cafe Beechworth valued at $50

To be in the running for these fabulous prizes, join up before 5pm on Tuesday 7 December. Do it online at our website – membership module OR come and see us at one of the above community events

Our 2022 Membership rates are:

• Concession / Student $20
• Individual $30
• Family $50 (Parent/s and Child/ren aged 18 or under)
• Community Group $50
• Business $100

Internet Radio Station Stream Issues Fixed

It took longer than we would have liked but our perseverance has prevailed and as of mid-last week our Internet Radio Station resumed transmission.

A big thank you to Michael our web designer for working through the various issues. We had to overcome a raft of misunderstandings with our stream host who are based in Europe. Talk about something getting lost in translation – literally it seemed.

Along the way we have updated our website audio player which is now displaying the current show / track playing information.

There will be more improvements to come as we now turn our attention toward live streaming.

Tune in at your leisure – 24/7 – via our website – www.indigofmradio.com

It’s a cliched line but “owing to technical difficulties…..” has become an unfortunate reality for Indigo FM over the past 7 weeks as we try to work out what has happened to our stream that worked so reliably for a year.

The good news is, we are slightly encouraged by some of the communication coming from our stream hosts this past week. These snippets of information from them along with a lot of online research at our end has us feeling hopeful that a solution might be just a few days away.

Our stream is hosted by one of the largest providers globally. They are very affordable by a fair way compared to other competitors. As they are based in Europe, however, time differences mean that slightly complex issues – as we are finding out – seem to get fixed at a snail’s pace.

Their support system and tools are more akin to what you might have tolerated 20 years ago. We’ve struggled to comprehend how sub-standard their support is.

Nonetheless we persevere and we’re optimistic.

We are a bit embarrassed to find ourselves apologising to listeners like yourselves, who had become used to enjoying the convenience of tuning in to Indigo FM in their car, when out for a walk, bike ride or at work etc, without having to contend with the vagaries of FM radio signals.

So please hang in there, cross your fingers and know that every day we are trying to progress this one and resolve it.

We post updates on the Facebook page Indigo FM Streaming – and we will definitely post a new article here when we do fix this one.

Have you joined up or renewed your Membership for 2022? There’s still time so no panic, but for the 20 odd members who have paid up, there are some bonus prizes on offer.

These are 4 passes to the Americana Carnival at The Vine Hotel, Wangaratta on Saturday 27 November featuring Lachlan Bryan and the Wildes, Riley Catherall, Great Aunt, The Weeping Willows, Little Wise and many more. We’ll be drawing those out next Sunday 21 November on air in Yackandandah on Harvey’s Americana themed Asleep At The Wheel show around 2:30pm.

To join or renew your Indigo FM Membership for 2022, you can head here

Pay via a card or deposit cash into our WAW Bank account – details on the link above.

Major Prize Draw

We’ve decided to conduct our Major Prize Draw on Wednesday 8 December from 4-5pm on-air at both our Beechworth and Yackandandah 88.0 FM sites. Stay tuned for details.

Catching Up in your Community

Thank you to Quercus Beechworth for inviting us along to their Flea Market last Saturday. Here’s the current schedule of upcoming market stalls.

• Yackandandah – Sun 21 Nov – Lions Market 9am-1pm
• Tangambalanga – Sat 4 Dec – Indigo FM Open Day 8am – 4pm
• Chiltern – Sun 5 Dec – Market 9am-1pm (w BMF Van)
• Yackandandah – Sun 5 Dec – Christmas Fair 10am-2pm

At Chiltern – while we don’t presently have a site there, we do love their community and own a licence. We called in during the week and were met with overwhelming positive vibes from several members and business owners about our upcoming visit with the Beechworth Music Festival van. How nice is that?

Our new playlist version 18.0 has hit the airwaves in recent days and it’s another diverse offerings with a focus on Australian, Indigenous and Independent artists.

Our most recent playlist comprises 900 songs by over 700 different artists with Australian content around 63%. On top of that we are proud to push the Indigenous content which comes in around 6%. We’re looking to grow that to 10% over the next year or two.

Australian independent musicians have been among the hardest hit as a result of the COVID19 pandemic these past 2 years and Indigo FM again proudly champions the music of this sector of the industry. Many who have toured through our towns playing festivals and venues have their latest tunes here including Tennyson King, Montgomery Church, Riley Catherall, Michael Waugh, Sunset Stranger, Lachy Doley, The Maes, Matt Joe Gow, Melody Moon, Ben Salter, Jess Locke, Daniel Champagne, Sunfruits, Emma Russack and Lachlan Denton, The Ramshackle Army, Jae Laffer, Gallie, Al Matcott, Maja, Four Lions, DC Cross, Darren Hanlon, Watty Thompson, Luke Sinclair Set, Van Walker, The Weeping Willows, Hachiku, Nathan Power, Justin Bernasconi and James Ellis and the Jealous Guys to rattle off a few.

Local musicians Paul Dyason, Toby Mobbs, Asha Bright, Buddy Dingo, GG Music, This Way North, Nic Jean, Sal Kimber, Nick Keogh, Gordon Dickson, Surprise Chef, Dean Haitani, Fanny Lumsden and Julian James also have tracks on Playlist 18.0.

Again we have stuck to our protocol of offering each artist a maximum of 2 songs on the Playlist, with all music sourced from either presenters at our volunteer run local radio station as well as from various record labels and free music sources such as Triple J Unearthed.

Our Playlist is what you hear between pre-recorded and live radio shows and is changed over every 6 months by the station’s Programming team. So tune in and embrace the delightful diversity on show here at Indigo FM.

Click Playlist 18.0 to view the complete listing.