3SER

Infobox Radio station
name = 3SER FM Casey Radio


slogan = "Sound of the South-East" and "Casey Radio"
frequency = 97.7 MHz
power = 400 W
area = City of Casey
City of Greater Dandenong
format = Community, Ethnic, Sport, Religion, Music, Youth and School
former_name = Market City Radio
owner = South Eastern Radio Association
airdate = 1983
website = [http://www.3ser.org.au www.3ser.org.au]

3SER on 97.7 FM is a non-commercial community radio station which caters to the south-east of Melbourne, Australia, an area which includes the City of Casey and the City of Greater Dandenong.

History

3SER FM began in 1983 as Market City Radio, where test transmissions were carried out from Dandenong to the south-eastern region of Melbourne. They first moved to Fountain Gate Shopping Centre in 1987, when the station's name was changed to South Eastern Radio (3SER). Test transmissions were conducted four times a year (a week each time), and continued until a full time licence was granted in May 1991. The station commenced full time broadcasting in July 1991, and was officially opened by Marj Cottle, Fred Harrison and Wendy Morgan on 30 September 1991. The studios were moved to another location at the Fountain Gate Shopping Centre in the early 1990s. However, circumstances dictated that more stable premises be sought, and in the mid-1990s the station relocated to a self-funded location at Princes Highway, Narre Warren. 3SER commenced transmission from their new premises in Cranbourne, near Casey Indoor Leisure Complex and the Cranbourne Library, on 21 September 2002.

The period of 2007-2008 saw huge changes at 3SER. Due to suffering terminal illness, long-time Station Manager David Lentin was forced to leave the station during the middle part of 2007. After some upheaval, he was replaced by former VFL/AFL legend Geoff Ablett, ably assisted by fellow station stalwarts Craig Davenport, Stuart Merrick and Jim Hines.

Sadly, David Lentin died in February 2008. His Legacy and memory will live on through 3SER 97.7fm.

Location

The stations current premises along Berwick-Cranbourne Road have been supplied without charge in a joint agreement by the City of Casey and 3SER management. The agreement specifies that 3SER is to be promoted as "Casey Radio". The logo has also been modified to include the word. Previously, the studios were at Princes Highway, Narre Warren and Fountain Gate Shopping Centre, Narre Warren.

Programming

3SER is perhaps mostly known for its wide variety of shows. This list includes a diverse range of ethnic programming, ranging from German to Greek, Mandarin to Cantonese, Vietnamese to Mauritian, Serbian to Hindi and Cambodian.3SER FM also caters to a wide range of musical tastes. Russell Hanby and entertainer Tommy Carter run three shows called Jazz As You Like It, Monday Live and You Must Remember This and consists of Australian Jazz. The Station "Operations Manaager" Craig Davenport has his own 3 hour Music program on Tuesday "Mr CD's Variety Vault" from 1000 'til 1300. Russ Boon and Max Hunter, veteran Brass Musicians, run a weekly 3 hour programme "World of Bands", dedicated to Brass Bands, Concert/Service Bands and Swing Bands, Modern Jazz groups, plus smaller Brass Groups and Soloists, on Wednesday Mornings from 0900 - 12 noon, plus overnight repeat (Thursday from 0005-0530). Jeff Gannon presents his contemporary music program "Pardon the Interruption" from 12.00 noon, every Wednesday until 2pm. Peter Bluemel also runs a number of programmes which include easy-listening and German music. Henry Grosseck runs a talk show where he interviews guests about life and education issues. Matthew Scanlan plays all the hits you know and some you don't with popular segments Useless Fact of The Week and The Track That Time Forgot every Sunday from 9am on his program Sunday Morning Live. Another popular programme is the Fishing Show, and has been on the 3SER airwaves for over ten years. Ely Kelsch brings the hottest and latest Latin music from the Latin Billboard charts. On Thursday afternoon from 1pm 'til 3pm Damien Ablett presents his "Pop Music" program. 3SER FM has a religious program run by the Berwick Anglican Church. Weekends usually consist of sports commentary from AFL and VFL football, District Cricket, Basketball, Netball and Soccer. Every 2nd Saturday afternoon during summer Russ Boon runs a Classical Music program "A Classical Interlude" from 1500 - 1700. There are two youth programmes run by Hyacinth Godfrey and Berwick Lodge Primary School during the week. Every Friday from 4.30 'til 6.30 The Station's youngest DJ Bryce Eishold aged 13 present's his program "Fantastic Fridays" and on Sunday he presents with Desmond Kelly a great show with all sorts of music form 15:00 to 17:00. That's also followed by Bryce with his music form 17:00 to 18:00 . 3SER airs Deadly Sounds, a national weekly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander music program. This station also plays a large selection of music from retro to modern, rock to rockabilly and the best music from the 1950s to now.

port

Since 1993, 3SER has been radio's home of the Victorian Football League and the Victorian Premier Cricket competitions, and continues to be so to this day. The station hosts a special Saturday morning radio program in winter for the VFL, and summer for the Victorian Premier Cricket competition, and then follows this by broadcasting matches of both competitions live on weekends.

3SER is one of the most committed radio station to these two competitions in the south-eastern region of Melbourne. Thanks to on-air talent including Anthony Brady, Jim Hines, Nigel Carmody, Nick Nikolovski, Chris Weaver, Phil "Tiger" Pearce, Tristan Foenander and Director of Sport Kain Pollard, the sporting productions put out by 3SER are often of higher quality than rival commercial stations. Season 2008 saw prized recruit Peter Banfield join the team in Special Comments; Banfield has AFL playing experience with Essendon and Brisbane Bears (now Brisbane Lions), whilst also coaching at VFL level, most recently with the Casey Scorpions in 2007. Another excellent recruit has been former Western Bulldogs and Collingwood defender Tyson Lane, whose wealth of knowledge on game styles and tactics has been a boon for Casey Radio. The triumvirate was completed on ANZAC Day in 2008, when VFA/VFL legend Phil Cleary joined the team to cover the Coburg Tigers v Box Hill Hawks match. Cleary's knowledge and passion for the competition have been a popular addition to the Casey Radio VFL broadcasts.

Also since 1993 3SER have broadcast many charity-related sporting events, as well as Indoor Cricket, Netball, Baseball (Claxton Shield), Basketball (NBL) & Soccer.

Round 16 Saturday August 2: "Port Melbourne v Werribee" @ TEAC Oval. Live from 1.30pm.

Sunday August 3: "Frankston v Bendigo" @ Michael Robinson Oval. Live from 1.30pm. Round 17 Saturday August 9: "Port Melbourne v Williamstown" @ TEAC Oval. Live from 1.30pm.

Sunday August 10: "Casey Scorpions v North Ballarat" @ Casey Fields. Live from 1.30pm. Round 18 Saturday August 16: "Werribee v Box Hill" @ Bartercard Oval. Live from 1.30pm.

Sunday August 17: "Frankston v Casey Scorpions" @ Michael Robinson Oval. Live from 1.30pm.

ee also

* Community Radio
* City of Casey
* Fountain Gate Shopping Centre
* Internet Radio
* Music of Australia
* List of Australian radio stations

External links

* [http://www.3ser.org.au Official Web Site]
* [http://www.cbf.com.au/ Community Broadcasting Foundation]
* [http://www.casey.vic.gov.au/ City of Casey]
* [http://www.greaterdandenong.com/ City of Greater Dandenong]
* [http://www.tarahall.com.au/communityradio/3serfm.html Tara Hall Productions]
* [http://www.radioawareness.com.au (Retrospectives, Tuesday nights at 10.00pm on 3SER.]