By Natasha Fujimoto
AMPLIFYING local voices while keeping the community informed and entertained, Rushworth is about to experience something exciting and long-awaited – its very own radio station! The brand-new 3RW is officially hitting the airwaves, broadcasting on 87.6 MHz FM. For the first time in the town’s history, Rushworth will have a station dedicated to local news, weather, events, and of course, great music – the hits that were big when we were small (at least for those of us who are a bit more experienced!).
This privately-run venture comes from the hands of two seasoned broadcasters, Brad Geier and Tony Jordan, who each have decades of experience in the industry. Both were drawn to Rushworth by their shared love of the community and a desire to provide local content that truly reflects the town’s spirit. Brad is no stranger to the airwaves, having founded Radio KLFM Bendigo, one of Australia’s most successful community radio stations, where he also hosted the Weekday Breakfast Show for 30 years. Tony, with his passion for radio, served as production manager at KLFM and hosted the Weekday Drive Show, bringing creativity and excellence to every broadcast.
Defined as a ‘narrowcaster station’ – meaning it will broadcast only to Rushworth and its immediate surrounds – Brad and Tony have invested considerable time and resources into bringing their locally owned and operated station to life. Their dream is to draw the community together in celebration of its heritage, uniqueness, and local spirit.
The station is set to become fully operational with a launch timed to coincide with the Rushworth Easter Heritage Festival. Brad and Tony are excited to soon present a comprehensive line-up of full-time programming that will not only entertain but also keep the people of Rushworth up-to-date with local news and events. The station will also play a critical role in emergency announcements, delivering vital information when needed. In times of multiple emergencies, local messaging and updates can get lost, but 3RW will provide a direct line of communication when it matters most.
Transporting listeners back in time with toe-tapping hits from the 50s, 60s, and 70s, 3RW will do more than keep locals in the loop, it will build community cohesion, helping to combat feelings of isolation, especially among the town’s elderly residents.
“As we know, one of the biggest challenges in regional areas today is isolation and loneliness. Radio is the most effective way to reach people because it creates a personal relationship between the broadcaster and the listener. I saw this firsthand during my time at KLFM in Bendigo and its surrounding areas. The loneliness felt by older members of our community is heartbreaking, but when they discover a local station, they can connect with, it helps them feel wanted and part of something bigger. That connection can make a real difference in overcoming isolation,” Brad said.
Brad and Tony are driven to make a difference.
“Our passion is to bring radio back to what it used to be, entertainment that makes you feel a part of the community. It creates happiness, and I’ve seen how much a local station can mean to people. It can change lives,” Brad said.
