About JOY 94.9

About Us

JOY 94.9 sparkles like a diamond in the ear of Melbourne.

The station serves the needs of the diverse GLBTIQ community by providing talks shows, news, current affairs, music and more by broadcasting on 94.9 fm in Melbourne and beyond via www.joy.org.au

The station provides over 450 free Community Service Announcements on behalf of organisations that serve and support our community.

The station is fuelled by the dedication of over 200 volunteers and only a handful of paid core staff.

JOY 94.9 is proudly self-funded through on air sponsorship and most importantly membership.

With 216,000 listeners and almost three thousand members JOY 94.9 stands bright, loud and unmistakably proud as a beacon for our community.

Board of Directors

JOY 94.9 is incorporated in Victoria as JOY Melbourne Inc. The Board is elected by the members of the association to oversee the direction of the station and ensure its statutory obligations are met. It develops policies and employs staff to undertake duties that will achieve its strategic goals. Click here to view the current board.

Award winning radio

JOY has won many national and local awards over the years. Check them out here.

History and Future

Watch our history in video. Thanks to Longitude Multimedia for putting the video together.

History

JOY 94.9 began radio broadcasting on World AIDS Day, 1st December 1993.

The station was granted a full time licence in 2001, making it the only licenced community broadcaster that specifically caters to the needs of our community.

In 2006 the full time licence was renewed.

Future

With the help of a grant from the State Government and the support of the Melbourne City Council, the station has relocated into new premises at the Melbourne City Village Community Hub, Level 9 225 Bourke Street, Melbourne.

Fund-raising continues as we settle into our new home, face the challenges of convergent media and the advent of digital broadcasting.

To help the station continue to sparkle please become a member, make a donation and encourage your friends to become listeners.

JOY Timeline

1993

JOY begins broadcasting on World AIDS Day (December 1) on 90.7fm. The first words ever spoken (albeit accidentally) are by founder John Oliver, “Can I have a cup of coffee and then we’ll get going?” The first song ever played (albeit accidentally) is by Jimmy Barnes. Our first “official” tracks is Kylie Minogue’s Celebration.

1995

JOY’s first album “The Strip – Pride and JOY” is released.

1996

JOY’s first full outside broadcast takes place from Commercial Road, Prahran – continuous for three weeks, 24 hours a day!

1998

Paul Terdich is appointed as JOY Station Manager and immediately starts shedding hair. He stays for almost 10 years!

1998

JOY shares the 90.7 frequency with Muslim radio (and Kool ‘n’ Deadly Aboriginal radio) so listeners could wake up one morning with disco divas and the next be called to Islamic prayer!

2001

JOY is granted its full time licence by the ABA in December

2002

JOY begins full time broadcasting on new frequency 94.9fm.

2002

JOY receives a grant from the Foundation for Young Australians to train same-sex attracted youth in radio. Six years later, more than 70 young people have passed through the FYA program.

2003

JOY celebrates its 10th birthday. There’s plenty of cake.

2004

JOY becomes the largest gay and lesbian community member-based organisation in Australia!

2006

JOY’s full time licence is renewed!

2007

Stephen Hahn is appointed as JOY CEO Station Manager and immediately starts shedding hair.

2008

JOY co-broadcasters from inside the barricades at the 30th Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras in conjunction with Sydney station 2SER.

In March JOY commenced construction of new broadcast studio at it's new home on the top floor of City Village at 225 Bourke St Melbourne and commenced broadcasting from the new location on June 13.

In June JOY launched its member magazine Hear Here.

Mission Statement

JOY 94.9 is a gay and lesbian volunteer-based community radio station committed to providing a voice for the diverse lesbian and gay communities, enabling freedom of expression, the breaking down of isolation and the celebration of our culture achievements and pride.

Our purpose:

To provide a professional standard of radio presentation and to be responsive to the needs of the Gay & Lesbian communities within the organisation’s broadcast area.
To broadcast programs of current affairs, discussion of social issues, news, music, and to provide a medium for the expression of opinion, in a format that is of appeal to the Gay & Lesbian communities.
To stimulate debate and discussion on issues affecting the Gay & Lesbian communities.To promote the achievements of Gay & Lesbian people and to improve the community understanding of their needs and aspirations.
To provide assistance to not-for-profit organizations, clubs, groups, service providers, in the promotion of their activities and service to the GLBTI communities.To encourage the development of new programs, services, leisure, entertainment facilities, and to actively promote the organisation/groups providing such services to the GLBTI communities.
To provide training and work experience opportunities for members of the community who are in a disadvantaged situation in seeking in such opportunities elsewhere.
To provide broadcasting training of a professional standard to organisations and individuals presenting information relevant to the Gay & Lesbian communities.
To promote the benefits of broadcasting in other centres within Victoria & Australia and where possible provide assistance, whether direct or otherwise to not-for-profit organisations/groups providing such opportunities for the community.
To educate and provide education on health, multicultural & aboriginal issues, special events relevant to the diverse Gay & Lesbian communities.
To participate in the benefits of a public broadcasting licence and to exercise any of the powers and authorities granted by such a licence.
To provide opportunities for non-denominational divine worship and religious discussion and the provision of multicultural programming in addressing the needs of the diverse Gay & Lesbian communities.
To provide the opportunity for freedom of expression, the breaking down of isolation and the celebration of the culture, achievements and pride of the diverse Gay & Lesbian communities.
To provide the opportunity to engage and involve young members of the diverse Gay & Lesbian communities through the building of self esteem, acceptance and healthy well being.

Click here, to view our Rules Of Association & Constitution

Click here, to view our 2006 Annual Report