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40 Years of Community Radio in Ballarat

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                                                 40 Years of 3BBB/99.9 Voice FM!

Can you believe it? On May 1st, Voice FM officially hit the big 4-0.
For four decades, this station has been the heartbeat of Ballarat’s airwaves, and yesterday’s anniversary celebration at Barkly Square was the perfect way to kick off the next chapter.
A Serious Blast from the Past
If you tuned in, you know it wasn’t just another day of broadcasting. The studio felt like a time machine. We heard the 1986 classics that first filled the air when the station launched as 3BBB-FM—plenty of big hair energy and synth-pop to go around.
But the best part? The people. Seeing legendary presenters from the early days walk back into the studio to share their “behind-the-scenes” disasters and triumphs was a treat. It reminded all of us that community radio isn’t just about the tech; it’s about the voices that keep us company on the drive home or during a long shift.
Voice FM is still 100% “us.” It’s run by the community, for the community. Seeing the studio decked out in balloons and the team diving into a well-deserved birthday cake was a great reminder of how much heart goes into every single hour of airtime.
The Party Isn’t Over
If you missed the live broadcast, don’t sweat it. The crew has a whole year of special programming and outside broadcasts lined up to keep the 40th-anniversary vibes going.
Got a favourite memory of the station from the last 40 years? Text us on 0437 996 248
.
Here’s to 40 more years of being Ballarat’s loudest, proudest local voice!
A Massive Thank You for Our Birthday Fundraiser!
What a day! Now that the dust has settled and the last guitar case has been packed away, we can officially say that the Voice FM 40th Birthday Fundraiser was one for the history books. We set out to celebrate four decades of being Ballarat’s independent voice, and the community showed up in a major way at The Main Bar on February 7th.
The outdoor stage was buzzing from noon until well after dark, featuring a powerhouse lineup of over 30 local musicians who donated their sets to keep our airwaves alive. If you were there, you’ll know the highlights were non-stop:
    • The Big Names: We were treated to world-class sets from blues icon Geoff Achison, the legendary Donna Fisk, and local staples The Pearlies and Highway 8.
    • The Full Schedule: From the opening notes by Uproar to the late-night grooves of Roy Darby and The Dial Ups, the energy never dipped.
    • The Beats: Our own station legends—Playa D, DJ Darcy Mahady, and DJ Xander-Fly—kept the vibes high between every single act.

Why Your Support Matters

This event was the perfect springboard into our official birthday on May 1st. Because of the tickets you bought and the donations you made, we are now better equipped to:
    • Upgrade the Barkly Square Studios: We’re modernising the gear that has been serving us since the 3BBB-FM days.
    • Support Upcoming Artists: We can continue being the first place a local Ballarat band gets their music played on the radio.
    • Keep it Community-Run: Your support ensures we remain a platform for diverse voices and independent broadcasting.

What’s Next?
If you missed the fundraiser but still want to be part of our 40th-anniversary year, you can still catch our special historical programs and outside broadcasts happening throughout 2026.
Thank you to the team at The Main Bar and every one of you who celebrated with us. Here’s to the next 40 years of being Ballarat’s local voice!