RTRFM marketing co-ordinator Andjelka Yankovic, station manager Jason Cleary and breakfast programmer Peter Barr.
Camera IconRTRFM marketing co-ordinator Andjelka Yankovic, station manager Jason Cleary and breakfast programmer Peter Barr. Credit: Supplied/Andrew Ritchie

FM station an institution

Staff ReporterEastern Reporter

Before that, station manager Jason Cleary said, the broadcaster was known as 6UWA and aired from UWA.

It then switched its name to 6UVS before becoming RTRFM in 1990.

‘The station has changed considerably as it has grown and the media landscape has changed, but the basic ideal of being an independent and socially-aware community broadcaster has always been at the forefront, with local music being heard and local stories being told,’ Mr Cleary, who joined the station about a year ago, said.

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More than 103,000 people tune in weekly with most aged between 19 and 39.

But while the general demographic is young, mature listeners are well catered for.

‘We have a big range of programs, from Nostalgia, which is classic show tunes from the 30s to 50s, to Golden Apples of the Sun, which brings future sounds to the airwaves,’ Mr Cleary said.

‘In between that is nearly any music imaginable.’

Nine staff members run the station and more than 250 volunteers help with operations.

Mr Cleary said RTR brought something different to Perth; an alternative to mainstream media offering new and little heard music.

The Mt Lawley broadcaster has just finished its major annual fundraising drive Radiothon where regular programming stops for 10 days and listeners are asked to subscribe or donate to the station.