Alive 90.5 Community Radio
Nestled in the Balcombe Heights Estate sits Alive 90.5, the local community radio station serving the Hills, Parramatta and Cumberland Local Government Areas.
Originally known as Cumberland Community Radio, Alive 90.5 has an interesting history that spans all the way back to the late 1970s and early 1980s. With a failed attempt to establish a community radio in the Hills in the 1970s, the 1980s saw the amalgamation of two groups attempting to set up community radio, one in the Hills and the other in the Parramatta/Holroyd area.
From 1987 and 1989, Cumberland Community Radio began tests broadcasts and was granted a permanent home in Building 9 within the Balcombe Heights Estate by Baulkham Hills Council (now the Hills). In 1992, Cumberland Community Radio was granted a radio licence and began broadcasting on 90.5FM. In 2011, the station was rebranded to Alive 90.5.
What makes community radio truly special, is that it is run by locals passionate about using radio as a means of connecting and communicating with the local community. The content and programs are localized and aim at entertaining, informing and educating our community about local issues, local community groups and businesses as well as community events.
Current programs include Breakfast and Drive with regular news, weather and traffic updates, Morning Magazine with news and special guests such as local politicians and personalities, plus a range of special interest programs and different cultural and youth programs that reflect our very diverse and multicultural community. There is literally a program for everyone to listen to whether it be live on radio or online.
Alive 90.5 is run entirely by volunteers and creates opportunities for locals to learn about and participate in the areas of announcing, audio Production, music programming and content producing as well as helping to shape the future of community radio. A number of people who have volunteered at Alive 90.5 have gone onto careers in commercial radio.
Being a community radio station, Alive 90.5 is embedded in our community and supports our local community groups and charities by running outdoor broadcasts for events such as Hills Relay for Life and SuperTee packing days. Alive 90.5 also promotes local charities and community groups and offers a special membership rate that includes advertising on air.
If you have never visited Alive 90.5 I encourage you to do so, you will be impressed with the facilities which include two recording studios plus a brand new podcasting studio – all of which can be used by members and local residents.
Like most community groups Alive 90.5 relies on grants and donations as well as sponsorships from local businesses who are in turn promoted on air. However, one of the best ways you can support Alive 90.5 and the dedicated and passionate team of locals is by tuning into the station and listening to the many programs and music shows.
For more information on Alive 90.5 or to get involved go to https://www.alive905.com.au
