Since 2005, ‘The Rotary and Community Service Radio Show’ on 94.1FM 3WBC has gone to air between 6 and 8 pm every Friday. It also ‘Live Streams’ on www.3wbc.org.au.
Born from a visit by RC Canterbury to Vision Australia’s radio station 3RPH, Past President Neil Williams, assisted by former Canterbury Rotarian David Proud, prepared some trial shows for Rotary that soon became a regular fixture. In the early years the studio was in the front room of a community house in Bennettswood. It then moved to a professional suite of studios in the Box Hill Town Hall hub in Whitehorse Road.
Neil was the first Presenter. He was joined by former Canterbury Rotarian Brian Bloomer. When Neil ceased presenting, David Proud took over. Apart from a brief stint when Presenter Past District Governor Jenny Coburn of District 9810 headed up the Show, David Proud became its Head until late 2019 when he stepped back and handed over to Jonathan Shepherd of the Rotary Club of Kew.
The Show is a mixture of Rotary interviews, interviews with guests on topical issues and spliced with lots of good music. It has featured key interviews with Presidents of Rotary International such as John Germ and Ian Riseley, a wealth of District Governors, Club Presidents and the hundreds of Club members who undertake interesting and special projects in Australia and internationally.
The Show aims to spotlight those organisations and individuals both inside and out of Rotary who help others in the community. It publicises Rotary events. It especially aims to educate Rotarians on the depth and breadth of Rotary International. The Rotary Radio Show Team is always looking for new topics. At the same time, the Show provides an opportunity for those wishing to learn more about radio production and presentation whilst having some fun and making a contribution.
Our listeners predominantly come from the local listening area around Melbourne, but in more recent years, with the aid of podcasts and internet radio, our program has followers around the world. We often get feedback form listeners in the United States, Canada, England, Scotland and even from St Thomas in the Caribbean. One listener even commented on being able to receive and hear the show whilst cruising down the Rhine River bathed in sunshine whilst watching medieval castles pass by.
The current Presenters are Jonathan Shepherd (Team Leader) (Kew), Past District Governor 9810 Russell Gurney, Susie Cole (Prahran), Anne Josefsberg (Canterbury), Mithzay Pomenta (Glenferrie), Ian Salek (Glenferrie), David Proud (Eltham Probus - Special Guest Presenter) and Fiona Anderson (Senior Panel Operator).
