Cover Image: RTRFM presenters bringing energy to the decks during Radiothon, embodying the station’s “More Than Radio” spirit.

The RTRFM 92.1 is truly more than radio. 

In a world where major steaming platforms are ruthlessly profit oriented and barely paying musicians royalties on their music, RTRFM stands as a haven where local artists are prioritised and protected. They’re also the local go-to platform to discover the talent in our own backyards.

Broadcasting from Mt Lawley, the not for profit, independent community radio station has been a pioneer in the Perth arts scene for nearly 50 years. Operating 24 hours a day, 365 days a year with a 400+ strong volunteer base, the station is solely funded through subscriptions, donations and sponsors — meaning it reflects the community because it is the community.

These community voices have now been short listed for the 2025 Community Broadcasting Awards across five diverse categories, recognising their commitment to community platforming.

A community achievement

The Community Broadcasting Awards celebrate excellence in community broadcasting nationwide and are the highest recognition in the sector.  For RTRFM, the nominations place the station alongside some of the most innovative and beloved community broadcasters in the country.

RTRFM’s Breakfast presenter and producer, Pamela Boland, is in the running for the title of Outstanding Presenter. Alternative country and folk program ‘Middle of Nowhere’ is up for best music program. RTR2, the online-only broadcasting subbranch of the station, is nominated for Excellence in Australian Music. For Excellence in Production, the stations production manager Eddie Curtis is in the running. Finally, RTRFM’s Reconciliation Action Plan is up for the Excellence in Community Engagement award.

Middle of Nowhere, the new alt folk and country which highlights music from our southwest and beyond, has also been picked up by the Community Broadcasting Association of Australia and is now played on 14 community stations across both rural and metro New South Wales, Tasmania, Victoria and even other parts of WA. There’s no wonder it’s been shortlisted for best music program.   

General Manager Simon Miraudo says it’s heartening to receive the recognition, adding although winning isn’t everything, it’s nice to remind the volunteers that what they’re doing is “world class”.

Staff like no other

RTRFM’s annual radiothon is live at the time of writing. The initiative is the major fundraising drive which aims to raise 30% of the station’s annual income over a month-and-a-half period to ensure independent radio for years to come. Over this period listeners text in to donate and many leave supportive messages. 

Miraudo says Breakfast presenter and producer Pam Boland gets her fair share of love from listeners, including many vulnerable texts thanking her for being a constant in their lives. He says, “Pam has something extra special in her… listeners really do feel like she is there for them… and I guess in a practical sense she is, she’s always showcasing local talent and giving a platform to stories, she connects with people in such an intimate way every morning” 

Another unsung hero of the station, Eddie Curis, has been nominated for an award for his role in production. Responsible for organising and pulling together the sponsorship announcements, Miraudo says that Eddie is what keeps it “authentic and local.”

Architects of Inclusion

RTRFM is recognised as a leader among Australian community radio stations for its commitment to inclusion, having developed both a Reconciliation Action Plan and a Disability Inclusion Plan. These initiatives set clear goals and targets to build, strengthen and represent marginalised groups, setting a benchmark for others in the sector.

This commitment to inclusion is the reason the station is in the running for the Excellence in Community Engagement Award. For Miraudo, actions speak louder than words.

“We know it’s very easy to say… ‘Well budgets are tight, times are tough, we have to prioritise our money elsewhere’…It’s important to us to prove that an extremely time poor, financially pinched institution can still prioritise representation and inclusion… We aren’t doing it for awards; we want to genuinely represent those in our greater community… You can’t say you are a community radio station and not be doing these things”

“It’s been an honour to be working with advisory groups and to have these plans… if RTRFM can do it, there’s really no excuse for all media organisations to be doing it” 

As the station looks toward the future, its commitment to amplifying local voices, championing inclusion, and staying fiercely independent ensures it will continue to be more than just radio, it will remain the heart of Perth’s creative community… awards on the shelf or not.

This year’s Radiothon is live now, tracking towards RTRFMs $350K target and ends September 30. If you’re interested in supporting RTRFM as our local community radio, visit this link for more information.