User:TLCFM93.5/sandbox

TLCFM93.5 is a community radio station run by Lower Clarence Community Radio Inc, based in Yamba NSW, Australia.

TLCFM broadcasts from a replica lighthouse that was built by volunteers with handmade bricks and with generous donations.

The community radio station formed in the early 80's by a forward thinking group of Lower Clarence volunteers. At the time the Clarence had no FM service of any sort.

In December 1985, TLCFM held the first FM broadcast into the Clarence Valley.

In 1988 as part of Australia's Bicentennial celebrations permission was given (but no money) to build the radio station as a replica of Yamba's first lighthouse. The location on top of Pilot Hill

was granted by the Lands Department.

In 2011 Howard Hall and Yannick Martin decided to complete the replica and successfully obtained the necessary approvals. They then teamed up with John Ibbotson to finance and complete the project. While Howard and Yannick organised the completion of the building and the tower base, John - through his association with the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) and Australian Maritime Systems (AMS) - set out to obtain a lantern room and lens.

AMS donated an NAL-I lantern room from South Neptune Island in South Australia and AMSA provided a magnificent, nineteenth century, third order fresnel lens from their Head Office in Canberra. John has since had the roof of the building replaced.

TLCFM93.5 broadcasts 24hrs a day, 7 days a week with programs and shows produced entirely by volunteer members. This participation from the community provides a unique unedited voice reflective of the people who live in the Lower Clarence. Although work and family commitments keep the the program guide in a state of constant change, there are over 40 presenters from all ages and backgrounds providing a diverse voice and eclectic musical content.

TLCFM93.5 runs with the assistance of an elected Board. The Board members do everything from writing grant submissions, coordinating programs, marketing to cleaning the building. TLCFM93.5 presenters volunteer their time and share their love of music. Quite often, presenters never get to cross paths, making the stations interactions like a delicate spiders web.

During Covid lockdowns, TLCFM experienced an uptake of new members - the radio station became more accessible to the community members kept at home and not out working all day. TLCFM relies on membership fees and sponsorship from local businesses - who in return receive a professionally produced sponsorship announcement that goes to air.

TLCFM has a charity status, but pays a Lands Department annual Licence fee for their premises, rates to Clarence valley Council and a rent for their aerial on top of the reservoir.

This on top of water, sewerage, garbage, insurance, electricity and radio fees (APRA/AMCOSS) and the CBAA.