FIXED IN A FLASH

like bush walking, mountain bike riding, canoeing, snorkelling, archery, abseiling and stand-up paddle boarding, just to name a few of the exciting adventures the youth get to tackle.

“It's all about building confidence and self-reliance, learning to read maps, read the weather, plan journeys and the safety aspect; how to exit and how to get help in an emergency.

“We teach a lot of leadership skills, organisational skills and communication.

“Communication isn't really a big thing in today's society when we're all online and playing games.

“To be able to then have the confidence to actually talk to people, we feel is really important.”

A RADIO station mast and antenna sitting 63 metres above sea level in Booral was the unfortunate victim of a lightning strike during a December storm.

The blackened pole at the main operating site was a sure sign to Fraser Radio 878 Tourist FM volunteers that lightning was the culprit behind failed attempts to get clear transmission and the reason why their radio coverage was significantly reduced

The Hervey Bay RSL Community Grants Committee dug deep to help the not-forprofit organisation recover with a $3000 grant to replace the damaged equipment and add wider and clearer coverage into Hervey Bay

Station Manager Alan Baxter said he did a little “skippity doo” when he heard the news

It meant that the main station was back in business as a quality performer, entertaining and informing residents and tourists

Operating out of the River Heads Progress Association library, the radio station's volunteers are passionate about the on-air promotion of over 50 local not-for-profit community groups and sporting organisations, as well as highlighting tourist hotspots and the history behind them

The team relies heavily on advertising to help fund the cost of operations so quality transmission is imperative

“We wouldn't have been able to do this replacement and upgrade without the RSL We are very appreciative,” Alan said “Until we installed the new hardware systems we were very limited in our coverage since the strike It was so important for us to get this fixed.”

There are about 20 volunteers in the Friends of Fraser Coast Tourist Radio group They create, record and broadcast material that is popular with locals and tourists alike, first going to air in 2015

The programs are made up of music from the 70s to now, local music, information on what's happening in the world of Whale Watching, Fraser Island, the Great Sandy Strait, the region's foreshores, and two-minute stories about local points of interests

Residents can tune in 24/7, with their radio, as well as stream online at fraserradio.com.au

If you would like to volunteer or have your organisations story told email info@fraserradio.com.

Once the youth members turn 14, they can also enrol in the Scouts Institute of Training.

“These courses go towards real life qualifications.

“The idea is to get our youth members trained up too so they can support the younger generation coming through. We like to get our youth leading youth.”

Scouting creates opportunities for personal growth in an adventurous, fun, challenging and inclusive movement, which ultimately builds resilient individuals of a global community.