Alpine Radio's Annual General Meeting was held on Monday 26th October 2020 at 11:00am in the Alex McCulloch Hall, Mount Beauty Neighbourhood Centre. 24 people attended in person in two venue spaces  (with seating and capacity arranged in line with DHHS Regional Victoria Third Step restrictions effective 11.59pm 18th September 2020) and via Zoom conferencing.

Thank you to all who attended and to those who sent proxy forms (or apologies) because they could not attend.
President Nick Brown presented the President's Report and Treasurer Keith Pike presented the Financial Report. Dick Puttyfoot took the chair to conduct the executive and committee election process.

The 2020/202 Committee of Management (all elected unopposed) consists of:
President: Nick Brown
Vice-President: Dick Puttyfoot
Secretary: Linda Parkinson
Treasurer: Keith Pike
Committee (4): Helen McDougall (Volunteer Coordinator), and new members Christine Riches, Craig Vine,  and Vivienne Rochford.
Welcome to our new committee members and thank you to Hugh Paton, Scottie Graham and Ken Halse, committee members stepping down.

A big thank you to Mount Beauty Neighbourhood Centre, staff and volunteers for their hospitality and helping us make our meeting a success and COVID safe.
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Reports
President's Report

It is with sadness that that we inform you that Alpine Radio Life Member, committee member and presenter Ian Erbacher (aka Mr P, Mr Producer, Eri) passed away on Saturday night, 3rd October 2020.
Eri was a keen bowler, member of the local gun club, member of the Men’s Shed and a long term resident of Mount Beauty.  Eri was part of the fabric of Alpine Radio. He had several terms as a committee member, was part of the station when it was first founded 17 years ago, and was installed as a life member several years ago.
Eri hosted the summer edition of Valley Sports on a Saturday morning with Ron Fensham, interviewing and reporting mainly on bowls, fishing and golf.  He was a lover of 60s and 70s music and country music, hosting many programs over the years, more recently High Country on Fridays at 12 noon.
President, Nick Brown says, "I remember how Eri helped me immensely when I first started at Alpine Radio back in 2009, as he hosted a program of 60s and 70s music immediately preceding my jazz on a Thursday evening. Ian had a lot of followers, and often racked up a lot of requests, especially in the early days."
Ian turned up at many Outside Broadcasts as well, helping with packing and unpacking, and getting stallholders to interview.  He liked to be a bit of a prankster at OBs, often stirring up the presenter back at the studio, by taking over the mouse remotely and moving it around to the surprise and bewilderment of the poor presenter sitting in the studio.  Nick says, "It is hard to believe he is gone. He hosted Valley Sports (for the first summer edition this season) on Saturday morning, following which he sat with a few of us at the market in Mount Beauty while we were selling Lions Club raffle tickets, chatting away as usual.“ Vale Mr P, we will miss you.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions a private family service will be held in Wodonga, with a memorial gathering to be held at a later date.

Alpine Radio is celebrating ROCKTOBER this month, and we are giving you the chance to win some great PRIZES!!!
We want to see your ROCKTOBER themed posters.
What is ROCKTOBER? It’s our celebration of all things rock, from the classic rock era, through to your modern rock favourites.  Why not have a go at coming up with a poster to help us celebrate?

• Posters can be hand drawn, painted, or created on a computer
• Poster size must be either A4 or A3
• The words ‘Alpine Radio’ must be mentioned somewhere on the poster, for example, ‘ROCKTOBER' with Alpine Radio.

There will be a winner chosen from each of these three categories:

• Children up to 12     PRIZE: $50 voucher from Tawonga South Newsagency and Post Office.
• Teens 13 to 17         PRIZE: $50 voucher from Swiss and Chips, Tawonga South.
• Adults 18 and over  PRIZE: Voucher for 2 takeaway dinners from Roi’s Restaurant, Tawonga.

A huge THANK YOU to these businesses for their generous prize donations!
Entries close Friday 16th October 2020.
For full details, CONDITIONS OF ENTRY and an ENTRY FORM click here.

Did you know that as part of our commitment to the communities of the Kiewa Valley, Bright (and surrounds) and Harrietville Alpine Radio offers FREE and regular on-air mentions of community events, organisations or not for profit groups who benefit the community? Enquire now.

We are also offering a free community service for businesses within our broadcast area during COVID-19 Stage 3 Restrictions. If your business is in Mount Beauty, Tawonga, Tawonga South, Bright, Dederang, Harrietville and surrounding areas contact us to post information on our website www.alpineradio.com.au. Our listeners are frequently reminded on air to visit our website to view this information from our local businesses.

Enquire now to take advantage of this FREE service offered during the Stage 3 Restrictions.

Photo credit: freestocks.org courtesy of unsplash.com

Your community radio station plays a critical role in delivering its community with informed, factual information while also preventing the social stigma associated with coronavirus (COVID-19).

Things might feel out of our control, but we can all do our part in keeping each other safe and being intentional and thoughtful about the way we speak about the coronavirus.

"The outbreak of the coronavirus COVID-19 has impacted people in varying ways on an international scale. It is understandable that during times like this, people may be feeling afraid, worried, anxious, and overwhelmed by the constantly changing alerts and media coverage regarding the spread of the virus." Lifeline 

Beyond Blue provides information and support to help everyone in Australia achieve their best possible mental health, whatever their age and wherever they live.

INFORMATION AND SUPPORT

LIFELINE 24/7 Crisis support - 13 11 14

BEYOND BLUE Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Service - 1800 512 348

Dry July is a fundraiser that encourages you to go alcohol-free in July to raise funds for people affected by cancer. The funds you raise as part of your Dry July will provide invaluable services for cancer patients, their families and carers – whether it’s a lift to a life-saving appointment, guidance from a specialist nurse, connection to an informative voice, access to therapy programs or a bed close to treatment.

Having a month off alcohol also has great health benefits, such as sleeping better, having more energy and of course, no hangovers! So you're not only helping others, you're helping yourself. It's a win-win!

Alpine Radio is getting behind President, Nicholas Brown as he does a Dry-ish July. Nick has signed up to the 21 day challenge which means he will go alcohol free for 21 days this July to help raise funds for people affected by cancer. Nick says, “as many of you know, this is very important so I'd be pleased if you can help me get to my target of $500 and we might pay for a Breast Care Nurse for McGrath Foundation, or assist in cancer research.”
 
Help Nick Brown reach his fundraising target of $500 by donating to his fundraising page here.

You can find out more about the Dry July Campaign here.
 
Every donation makes a difference for people affected by cancer.
Photo credit Mary Pike 2020