Riverland Life FM is an aspirant FM radio station that, after 8 years of planning, began broadcasting on the 11th December 2005.
It began with a meeting in 1997 of people interested in having Christian radio broadcast in the Riverland. Since then, it has been a journey full of hope, trial, disappointments, victories, and excitement. Plus many, many, many hours of hard work, prayers and tears to make this possible. Not to mention all the financial support given, making it possible to begin transmission.
In 1998, Riverland Christian Radio Inc was formed and a constitution drawn. A Board was elected, members subscribed, newsletters sent out, and a station was born!
In 2003, RCR Inc. finally received a Temporary Community Broadcasting Licence from the Australian Broadcasting Authority (now ACMA) and secured a place on the 'Broadcast Australia' tower outside of Loxton from which to broadcast. This is a full story in itself and is nothing short of a miracle!
2004, was a year of substantial growth for the station, including the employment of RCR Inc's first employee, Jason Staben, as Promotions Manager. His role included sharing the vision and needs of Riverland Life FM with the churches of the region, promotion of the station through all mediums, gathering sponsorship and support from businesses and individuals and more.
2005, in the first half of the year we submitted a grant for $25,000 with Regional Partnership. This was rejected in April.
Through a number of circumstances where God clearly showed the Board that they were to step out in faith, the Board of Management made a decision in late June to set an on-air date for September 2005, even though the bank balance was $30K short. Within 2 weeks of setting a date, $35,000 came in... Praise the Lord! BUT, drama was still to come!
The Board received correspondence from the Australian Broadcasting Authority revoking our frequency. A bigger player wanted our spot on the dial and it seemed we had to go! However, after prayer, a flurry of letters and phone calls and offers of support from some pollies, we were reinstated (for the time being!)
From that point it was a matter of setting the date to go to air, getting our licence application in and making preparations for the big day. We set up an office in Loxton, and called for more volunteers to get involved.
Things developed fairly rapidly from there. After broadcasting for some months, we secured the services of some eminent and experienced announcers who were keen to help us get going. Doug Oakley, Peter Court and Rob Smitheram, all with Life FM in Adelaide at the time, and Jayne Lochert, a former Riverlander, took on regular air time, showing us how it is supposed to be done!
Training local people to be announcers was also a major step forward. Recording shows began with a computer and basic sound equipment in a quiet corner of the station office. Two studios are now operational, though under-utilised. Having more announcers on air is a major priority now for the station.
** Our April newsletter is available to view or download, click on the 'About Us' tab.
You can also keep in touch with us on Facebook!
WHAT'S NEW? ...
Talking Real Estate is a new show, informing you about the in's and out's of buying and selling property in the Riverland, brought to you by station sponsor Elders Real Estate. Listen in Wednesdays after the 8.30am newsbreak, and catch the repeat show on Saturdays after 12pm.
Tune in ...
Rohan and Shane will entertain you, on Monday nights with Nite Life 8-10pm.
Something for the early-birds! Catch Erin Harrald at 4am on Tuesdays for the Bakers Hour. If that's too early for you, tune in a bit later Tuesday at midday for the afternoon show.
Monday to Friday - the Luke & Susie Show, from 9am to 12pm!
Focus on the Family - Australian produced weekly programme, hosted by Eric Skattebo and Deb Sorenson. Listen Monday nights at 10.
Voice For Values with Martin Iles, discussing current issues, 6:10pm on Wednesdays, repeated 12:00pm Fridays.
Saturday night at 9pm, time for positive hip-hop music with Definition Radio.
Kids Life with Sophie, Tayla and Lory, and featuring Jayden and Darcy, airs on Mondays at 4pm - fun for kids! Repeat of show on Saturdays at 10am.
Stephanie Thompson and Samantha Thomas from the Taylor Group of Newspapers, bring you the Riverland News Update at 5:15pm every Wednesday.
A Closer Look with The Chook - Thursday at 12:30pm and repeated Sunday at 5pm - A Closer Look at the written word, with book reviews and thoughtful reflections on some great reading.
The Simmo & Ross Show, 7pm on Fridays - a show about ... something ... and if they can think of something they'll be back!
Aussie Grown is a music show featuring up and coming Christian Australian musicians, catch this one-hour show on Sunday nights at 8pm.
RIverland Life FM
PO Box 1680 LOXTON SA 5333
Ph. 08 85846939
Any questions or feedback?
Our all purpose contact email is: