2MCR

Infobox Radio station
name = 2MCR FM


city =
area = Part of South-western Sydney
branding =
slogan =
frequency = 100.3 mHz FM
repeater =
airdate = April 2001
share =
share as of =
share source =
format = Community radio
power =
erp =
haat =
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facility id =
coordinates =
callsign_meaning = 2 = New South Wales
Macarthur
Community
Radio
former_callsigns =
affiliations =
owner = Macarthur Community Radio
licensee =
sister_stations =
webcast =
website = official|http://www.2mcr.org.au

2MCR-FM is a Community Radio station in Sydney's South West broadcasting on 100.3 FM. The station broadcast covers Campbelltown, Camden and Wollondilly Shire.Their location is at the Campbelltown RSL Club, Campbelltown, New South Wales.

History

MCR started operations on the 22nd August 1989, which was the date of MCR's first public meeting. Broadcasting on 100.5FM due to licensing issues, new stations were allowed to broadcast for a total of 28 days per year. MCR didn't have their own equipment and had to borrow the necessary equipment to broadcast for 28 days.

MCR split these 28 days up into 4 seven day broadcasts which took place in make-shift temporary studios located at:

* St. Gregory's College, Campbelltown
* Western Suburbs Leagues Club, Leumeah
* Leumeah High School, Leumeah

Eventually, MCR moved to a permanent location - a house in Ingleburn which was swiftly converted into MCR's headquarters. "Radio House" was officially opened on the 7th November 1993.

Radio House

In 1993, Campbelltown City Council donated to the station "Radio House" - an old double brick house just off the main shopping street in Ingleburn NSW. Given the house had wear and tear, MCR took the offer and moved into for permanent residency. "Radio House" became a landmark icon for the station for a few years as a fixture to the station staying put in one place. This encouraged support from local businesses as well as more of the general public signing up to the station to become members in either support or to have a programme on air.

An Open Day at Radio House was held on 7th November 1993 in which several community groups attended, including the local Fire Brigade and the Campbelltown Spoon Club. This was during MCR's first broadcast at Radio House. For 5 years MCR broadcasted from Radio House until 1998, when MCR had to vacate the premises in order for the council to pull down the house to make way for a new shopping plaza carpark.

After putting out the call for an urgent new location in the local papers, an appropriate place was found in a shopping fitout in the City Arcade, Campbelltown. This space was generously donated by the at-the-time owner(s) of the City Arcade. MCR moved into the new premises promptly within the same year they moved out of Ingleburn, and the City Arcade location became the "New Radio House".

In 2002, the City Arcade was purchased by the Campbelltown RSL Club, which had just built new premises behind the Arcade. The station moved premises to become inside the main doorway of the RSL Club.

Casual to Full Time Broadcasting

MCR began broadcasting on 100.5FM as a casual basis for 28 days a year in 1989. After much discussion, the committee at the time split up the 28 day broadcasting limit to seven day weeks, 4 weeks a year. This continued until 1998 when a temporary yearly license was issued to the station, enabling MCR to broadcast every day, 365 days a year. In 1999 MCR changed frequencies from 100.5FM to 100.3FM due to conflicting issues with other stations. In 2001 MCR was granted a permanent full time license, which came with a name change to 2MCR. [cite web |title=2MCR History |url=http://www.2mcr.org.au/about/history/index.htm |date=2008 |accessdate=2008-08-01|publisher= [http://www.2mcr.org.au 2MCR] ] [cite web |title=What’s Howe Done Now?
url=http://www.bobhowe.com/2007_news.html |date=2007 |accessdate=2008-08-01 |publisher= [http://www.bobhowe.com Bob Howe] ] [cite web |title=Country Community celebrates ten years
url=http://www.countrymusicbulletin.com.au/index%20for%20aug%209.html |date=2006-08-09 |accessdate=2008-08-01 |publisher= [http://www.countrymusicbulletin.com.au Country Music Bulletin] ]

World Record Attempt

From 1st June to 5th June 2002, station member Matt Fulton set a new milestone in the world of radio, beating the Guinness World Record for Longest Radio DJ Marathon by just over an hour. The stunt saw Matt stay on air non-stop (with authorised breaks provided by Guinness) for a length of 4 days 7 hours 14 minutes and 36 seconds. The attempt attracted national attention, including various guests and celebrities. Channel 10's Rove Live conducted a live cross 81 hours into the attempt. A large crowd witnessed the final moments countdown outside and inside the studios.

Station Presidents

* 2002 - present: Trevar Langlands
* 2001: John Spora
* 2000: John Evans
* 1999: Ralph Parker
* 1997: John Evans
* 1996: Carol Collins
* 1995: Rodney Simpson
* 1991: John Evans
* 1989: John Spora

Life Members

* David Tulk
* John Evans
* Ian Donaghy
* Peter Mounsey
* Ralph Parker
* Trevar Langlands

Honourable Mentions

* August 2006 - One of the stations longest running programs Composer's Gallery marks 500 episodes on-air with presenter Gordon Manning hoping to present another 500.

References

External links

*official|http://www.2mcr.org.au
*yt|a6WNaOiTmkI|Channel 10 news coverage of Guinness Record Attempt
*yt|ArxfWwIkkms|Rove Live cross of Guiness Record Attempt