With a highly successful official opening held on July 4, the new radio station, which is run by a strong band of volunteers, is in full swing.

“It went really well,” Maureen Hampell said.

STA FM started broadcasting on Wednesday July 1, but waited until Saturday, July 4 to have their official opening event.

“People are really interested in that it’s a community radio and that it’s giving to the community. People came to the opening from a broad cross section of the community to look around our new premises, to see how the station is all set up and how we operate,” she said.

Glen Innes community radio and Inverell community radio are combining their knowledge and skills to create a radio station network that is designed to give a boost to the local communities.

“Mark Trethewey from Glen Innes community radio 2CBD, has been fantastic in providing his help,” she said.

“Without his technical knowledge we wouldn’t be where we are today. Mark and other staff from 2CBD have been tremendous with their support, and we were pleased so many of them could attend our official opening.

“We are also leasing some of 2CBD’s equipment, which they kindly offered to us.”

MP Tony Windsor opened the station on Saturday, which saw more than 30 people wander in and out, enjoying the breakfast show and sausage sizzle lunch. Senator John Williams and Inverell Shire Councillor David Jones were also on hand to promote the new station.

STA FM runs 24 hours a day and is manned completely by volunteers who have a wide range of talents, skills and personalities. A combination that has worked well during the first week on air.

“But, we can always do with more presenters on board, more volunteers and more support from sponsors,” Maureen said. “We have also started a friends of STA FM group, which will allow members to join for $20 and enable them to help at the station and receive information.

“If service clubs and other groups would like to get their messages out their to the community, then STA FM is the perfect vehicle to do that.”

Interested people can contact the station on 67211STA or 67211782, or email stafm@bigpond.com