A labour of passion and love: Happy 30th birthday HAPPY FM.

South Australian community station 90.1 HAPPY FM is celebrating 30 years on air.

Members and invited guests marked the occasion yesterday with a special get together at Hotel Crown in Victor Harbor.

The station’s new Simian software was programmed so that HAPPY FM’s two afternoon presenters could join the celebrations, whilst still being on-air.

Station Manager Ian Wright (pictured above) says HAPPY FM’s emphasis always remains on LIVE broadcasting, for the benefit of listeners, sponsors and presenters.

“30 years and still on-air as a relevant community radio station is the result of a lot of people devoting countless hours weekly to the cause,” Wright tells Radio Today.

“It’s largely a labour of passion and love! 90.1 HAPPY FM commenced in 1994 in a caravan up on a hill, overlooking Victor Harbor, with the most basic of equipment.”

“Today our equipment is progressively being upgraded, as finances permit, whilst our band of volunteers both on and off air remain totally committed to a locally focused and relevant radio facility for the Fleurieu Peninsula community.”

“As Station Manager for nearly 4 of those 30 years, I feel very privileged to lead the team in association with our down-to-earth, progressive Board.”

Wright says that with further program syndication and fragmentation, community radio continues to play an important role.

“Sure, it may not always be as slick as some cap city stations (commercial and community) but done well, it is generally more meaningful, empathetic and in touch with the local market.”

HAPPY FM has permanent outside broadcast studios in Victor Central and Goolwa Shopping Centres, serving the Southern Fleurieu region of South Australia.

Its signal includes coverage to the towns of Mount Compass, Strathalbyn, Goolwa, Middleton, Port Elliot, Victor Harbor and Yankalilla, with outer fringe areas such as Noarlunga, Meningie, Clayton Bay and Milang also able to receive HAPPY FM’s programs.