(above) A group photo of the Phoenix Radio Station team.
Communities around Central Victoria and the Mount Alexander and Harcourt fires were kept informed about the unfolding emergency when their local ABC station went offline thanks to Phoenix FM Community Radio in Bendigo and Vision Australia.
The damage to infrastructure meant ABC Victoria was unable to broadcast on its standard frequency. Communities also lost access to ABC, SBS, commercial radio and TV.
The station is not an Emergency Broadcaster. But with the support of Vision Australia Radio and their broadcast engineer Dale Simpson, Phoenix FM was able to simulcast critical bushfire information when fires took the Mt Alexander transmitter offline.
Phoenix FM rebroadcast the ABC Central Victoria signal online from 8pm Friday until midnight Sunday morning on 106.7mhz PHOENIX FM Community Radio. It was one of three broadcasters that remained on air in and around the Bendigo region on radio.
(above) Phoenix FM spokesperson Samual Harrison.
Phoenix FM spokesperson Samual Harrison said community safety was a priority during emergencies.
"We commend Vision Australia Radio for stepping in and helping us to provide this vital link to the community,” he said.
Phoenix FM Presenter and volunteer Darren Wright said it had been a long time since there had been a fire near the Mount Alexander transmitter.
“There are a lot of eggs in one basket as the tower is shared between radio, TV and paid TV,” he said.
Mr Wright said as a community radio station, Phoenix knew it was important people were able to get the information they needed during the emergency.
“So we stepped in, suspended our usual programs and filled the breach for Central Victoria.
“This is what community radio is all about – we do more by working together than apart.”
ABC Central Victoria is now back online.
State Response Controller, Michelle Cowling thanked Phoenix Radio and Vision Australia for their quick action.
“Emergency broadcasters are a key way Victorians are kept informed during an emergency,” David said.
“By broadcasting warnings and advice, Emergency broadcasters support communities to make informed decisions in planning for, surviving, and recovering from emergencies.”
Vision Australia Radio is a licensed community broadcaster providing access to printed and published material for people who are blind, have low vision or a print disability.
