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LiveWire Newsletter 2609

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September 2026

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Governance Manager The committee unanimously approved the creation of the guestseat governance manager role and appointed Micky Fisher to the position. The role involves reviewing the constitution, drafting position descriptions, managing annual policy reviews, and assisting the secretary with foundational administrative work. Morning News Hour Complaint A formal letter was received that questioned the reduction of the morning news program from 60 minutes to 30 minutes and raised concerns about presenters parodying public figures. The 102.7 FM Community Radio Management Committee had our AGM on 8 September 2026, to review financial performance, approve new committee roles and memberships, update station policies, and address recent programming feedback. The AGM approved the appointment of a new governance manager, finalised its membership fee structure and management, appointed a new Accountant and Auditor and resolved to verify compliance with community broadcasting regulations regarding satirical content.

The response letter clarifies that the 30-minute format satisfies the station’s specialist programming and helps protect volunteer newsreaders from physical and mental exhaustion. The Satirical Broadcasts was addressed as well, and the basis of that response appears on page 5 of this newsletter. Mandatory Training 102.7 FM Codes of Practice module must be completed by all announcers prior to their first broadcast.

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demonstrated that he can own a ledger end-to-end without supervision. His time at Ian Anderson Advertising Agency deepened that foundation with commercial rigor, while his cafe ownership stresstested his operational judgment under real economic pressure.

Brendan was born in Toowoomba. He attended St Joseph’s and then St Mary’s for sub senior. Brendan brings a cross-functional track record to the Treasurer role at 102.7 FM Community Radio — one built not on a single career lane, but on repeated, high-stakes reinvention across finance, media, and operations. The through-line is financial accountability: from balancing cash drawers at Toowoomba City Council's rates department, to carrying Radio 4AK's full accounts cycle to trial balance, to setting annual station budgets alongside a station manager, Brendan has

His Channel 7 and Amart Furniture portfolio work reveals a systems thinker who could coordinate multi-market media buys across 6 Queensland regions simultaneously — a capability that translates directly into budget forecasting and finance management. The one outlier — residential real estate sales — is notable precisely because Brendan self-identified it as a poor cultural fit, signalling selfawareness about incentive structures and personal integrity that is rare and directly relevant to a fiduciary role. We are gaining a treasurer who has held the numbers accountable in broadcasting before, understands how community media organisations are funded, and has the operational range to see beyond a spreadsheet.

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Just a reminder that RUMOURS box office will be open the 10th, 17th and 24th of September downstairs from 9 am till 12 noon for you to get your tickets for the CHAPTER 111 concert on OCTOBER 3rd Saturday night. Tickets are only $ 49.00 efpos and cash are both accepted. We hope that everyone at 102.7FM and their family and friends will all be there for a great night of music and dance.

TR26 Roadshow Perth: Crisis Averted is the practical day for the people who keep community broadcasting moving: station managers, technical volunteers, committee members, producers, presenters and anyone who wants their station to recover quickly when the unexpected happens. On Saturday 26 September, Technorama brings Crisis Averted to the Novotel Perth Langley for a full day of honest stories, useful conversations and ideas you can take back to your station. The goal is not a perfect station. It is a station that can keep going, and a team that knows what to do when it cannot. https://technorama.org.au/

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If a satirical broadcast uses copyrighted material (such as song parodies or soundbites), it is protected by the Fair Dealing exception for parody or satire under the Copyright Act 1968. You can use copyrighted work without permission only if the use is genuinely for the purpose of parody or satire, and the use is considered "fair". Satire is not a blanket shield against defamation. In Australia, if a satirical sketch ruins a person’s or organisation's reputation, they can sue. The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) enforces the sector's Codes of Practice. Australian community radio stations do not have specific laws dedicated solely to satire, but satirical broadcasts must comply with the co-regulatory framework established by the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 (BSA) and the Community Radio Broadcasting Codes of Practice https://www.cbaa.org.au/communi ty-broadcasting/codes While satire is protected under certain legal defences, community broadcasters are legally bound to prevent harm, avoid misleading the public, and respect community standards. https://www.acma.gov.au/contentrules-community-radio-and-tv

Satirical content must never cross the lines established by these guidelines: Code 4: Satire cannot be used to circumvent restrictions on broadcasting material that demeans, vilifies, or incites hatred against groups based on race, ethnicity, nationality, sex, sexual orientation, religion, or disability. Code 5: If a satirical show mimics a news, it must be distinct enough that it does not mislead or deceive listeners into thinking it is real news, which would violate accuracy requirements. The broadcast must respect general community standards regarding language, simulated violence, and sexual content.

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New Antennas Comtel has installed the new antennas on the roof. Studio Doors Andrew has also reiterated that the studio doors must be closed at all times and the air-conditioners must be kept on 22 to 23 degrees to protect the equipment. If that is too cool for you, please bring a cardigan or such. Staying Well Tony has asked me to reiterate that if you are unwell, you are not to come into the station, regardless of wearing a mask. Thank you to everyone who turned up last weekend to receive their security fobs and spend some time with Andrew doing a refresher for announcers. It was great to see you all there and have some time to catch up over afternoon tea. Once the key panel has been removed and the alarms turned on, notice will be given to commence using the fobs to both enter and exit the building. I will also go through the instructions again. In addition, we will have a sign next to the door to remind you how to exit if you are the last person leaving the building (tap 3 times). You can use the fobs to enter the building instead of keying in the code, if you choose.

Please remember that there are many other ways viruses can be contagious and a mask is not complete protection. In consideration for everyone else, please do the right thing and stay away until you are better. Also, all equipment is to be wiped down and sanitised before and after use as well as hand sanitising. Who to Contact? A reminder if you are having issues that require urgent attention you are to call Leroy or if you can’t get Leroy, please call Andrew. All other non-urgent issues or feedback on something strange happening please email all that information to tech@1027.com.au

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Membership prices plus GST on GiveNow

Membership prices have been increased to include GST. ie $50 single will now be $55. We are excited to share that memberships will be managed through our GiveNow Radio Membership page online or at the office in the traditional way. The custom page link for our membership is https://www.givenow.com.au/mem bership/568. We will also have a QR code for this page that will appear on our website. Existing memberships will be transferred to the GiveNow site!

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A copy is available at the office and on NGO Training 102.7 FM is your community station dedicated to high-quality radio programming for Toowoomba, the Darling Downs and the Lockyer Valley. We've got you covered with the widest music variety on the Downs and programs to inform and engage our community. We love our listeners and our community.

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LiveWire Newsletter 2609 by Steven Paull - Issuu