This first test broadcast was over two days using borrowed basic equipment and stimulated by community support. The station went on to conduct seven (7) test broadcasts. At each test we took a technical step further until we reached a stage where we were ready to go to air full time.
Studio One at the Regional was constructed in 1982. With further planning and general technical knowledge, Studio Two was built to on-air standards in 1985, after which we then re-built Studio One. In 1988 Studio Three was built for use as a news and production studio and Studio Four, in the forecourt of the Regional Shopping Centre, was operational in May 1990.
On the Administrative side we needed Australian Broadcast Tribunal (ABT) permission, in the form of a licence, to go to air and this was a long involved process.
In September 1985 the organization became an Incorporated body, as Melton Community Access Radio Inc. August 1989 saw the registration of the current name of 3RIM Incorporated.
Fire
On the 19th August 1990, our Sunday afternoon programming was interrupted by a severe fire at the Melton Regional Shopping Centre (M.R.S.C.). Our on-air announcer, Mike Massey rang the fire brigade to report that smoke was emanating from the roof of the M.R.S.C. and was filtering through into our studios. A pair of junior firebugs were later apprehended whilst watching their handiwork but not before Studio Four, in the center forecourt of the M.R.S.C. was terminally damaged. The Shopping center suffered damage initially put at $5 Million.
Whilst having helped to save the M.R.S.C. from perhaps total destruction, that incident was to drastically effect the future of 3RIM Inc.
To Stay or Not To Stay
The M.R.S.C. was eventually repaired at what appeared to be snail pace over the next twelve months. As renovations progressed to the extent that fire damaged areas were reopened, we received some disheartening news.
Early in April 1991, 3RIM Inc. were invited to lease Suite 7 at the M.R.S.C at a cost of $15,000 per annum, plus outgoings. We were given less than three weeks to come to a decision and regretfully declined to take up the offer. Hurriedly arranged meetings determined that alternative accommodation for 3RIM Inc. had to be found and quickly.
A number of potential sites for relocation of the studios, were inspected by David Toms and Doug Frampton, all were eliminated due to being inadequate for our purposes or due to outmoded local government zoning regulations. The wind up of 3RIM Inc had become a distinct possibility as time ran out. At the eleventh hour we were invited to discuss our plight with Mowbray College.
The Move to Mowbray
Mowbray College, through the principal, Mr Alan Patterson, invited 3RIM Inc. to obtain a portable office building for a studio complex and site it on the college grounds. No charge would be levied and Mowbray would erect a suitable building, within which we would be welcome to locate our permanent studios on a long term basis.
With some trepidation, from within our ranks, this offer was accepted and subsequently events escalated. We secured a stay at M.R.S.C. until June 30th 1991 and proceeded with the move to Mowbray. We hired a suitable 40’ x 10’ portable building and a shipping container, for us as a storage facility. Both were sited at the rear of the Mill at Mowbray college and we proceeded to construct temporary studios within the portable building throughout June 1991.
Transmission from Studio Two, at Mowbray, commenced on 29th June 1991, with Studio One coming on line in mid August. We managed to build two studios, record library, foyer and office inside the portable building, by dividing it into four units each 10’x10’. We anticipated occupation of these cramped conditions for six months or so, which eventually stretched to 2 ½ years.
Construction of the Current Complex
Mowbray College completed extensions to their Gym building in early 1993, creating the K.H. Gratton, Dance and Drama Workshop. An area of floor space, approximately 15m square was to be leased by 3RIM Inc. as the site for the present Studio Complex.
Construction of the new 3RIM Inc. studio complex commenced in June 1993. Project management was by L.B. Constructions and the builders were G & J Hurst. The design, supervision, sub-contracting and installation of the equipment was carried out by a group of dedicated members who helped turn the vision into reality.
By mid September 1993, we had dual studio facilities, the old in the portable building, the new some 50 metres distance in the Mowbray Dance and Drama Workshop. On the 29th September 1993, the station went off air at noon, transmission equipment was transferred and installed in a matter of hours and we commenced on-air transmission from the first completed studio, No. 4, with the Spanish Language program Radiomania, hosted by presenter Daniel Lagos, at 4pm that afternoon.
Progressively Studios 1 & 2 became available and facilities and amenities were gradually introduced, Studio 3 became operational in April 1997.
February 1992, saw the celebration of our fifth year of continuous broadcasting and the 12th birthday of the station with a well attended function at a local restaurant. In the past seventeen years 3RIM Inc. has grown to become a 24 hour broadcaster with over 140 hours of locally produced programs each week.
Junior Discos
Late in 1982 we commenced our Junior Discos, which went from strength to strength. Initially held on the first Friday of every month, a large number of 6-12 year olds gathered at Victoria Hall, Melton South, dancing their hearts out for three hours. Victoria Hall became unsafe for our continued enterprise and we moved to the Melton Community Hall during 1991 rescheduling to the last day of each school term. Over 500 children attended each disco at this much larger venue. Due to supervision and cleaning difficulties the Junior Discos were discontinued in late 1993.
April 12th 1997 saw the successful resurrection of the Junior Discos at Melton Waves Aquatic Centre, a second one being held on June 28th. Both of these have been conducted by our recently formed Youth Sub-Committee as an important example of their commitment to the station in general and to the youth of Melton in particular.
The Party Machine Mobile Disco & P.A System
Early in 1982 members designed and built a mobile disco unit, known as The Party Machine, which was one of the first such units in the Melton area. This enabled us to engage in more community activities and proved to be a boon in our fund raising efforts. As well as featuring at many private functions around Melton we have been involved in numerous community events including school discos, Melton Arts Council opening concert, Melton Community fetes, Melton Thoroughbred Country opening, Battles of the Bands and club fund raising nights.
During December 1996 a decision was taken to supplement the Party Machine unit with a large P.A system capable of doing large indoor/outdoor events such as the Toolern Vale Fair, Diggers Rest promotion and smaller indoor events. This unit has proved itself totally adequate with the event above, the opening of the Skate Park and the Plastics Factory.
We recently took a decision to disband the Party Machine unit as it was considered economically unviable to upgrade it to a commercially competitive unit.
The Outside Broadcasting Unit
A small caravan was purchased in1988 and fitted out as an Outside Broadcast Unit. This unit was involved in providing the commentary for the Djerriwarrh Festival parades, live football broadcasts and live Garden Show broadcasts. It eventually became unserviceable and inappropriate for our developing needs.
We are currently investigating the feasibility of purchasing a small passenger bus and having it fitted out as an Outside Broadcasting Unit.
Live Broadcasts
Over the years 3RIM Inc. has brought many live music acts to Melton. Some of the more memorable ones have been the Battle of the bands in 1981, First Issue and Weddings, Parties, Anything in 1986, the 1990 & 1991 Country Music Bonanzas at the Melton Country Club, a live cross to the St. Albans Market during the Greek Program and the presentation of the Diggers Rest program live from that township.
During 1995 we did live broadcasts of five RDFL games, including theQualifying Final and Grand Final from Macpherson Park.
The Future
Our objectives for the immediate future are to complete the fit-out and development of our studio premises at Mowbray College, improve our “on-air” performance, encourage more local community input and establish an “Outside Broadcast” presence within out broadcast area. An ongoing requirement is to upgrade and keep pace with and take advantage of developing technology in the broadcasting industry. We look forward to your input in the achievement of these goals
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