Community radio station Denmark FM is calling for song submissions as it prepares for first broadcast

A new community radio station is calling for song submissions from Great Southern musicians as it prepares to go live after a series of delays.

Denmark FM 99.7 station coordinator Matt Sivyer said he is waiting to set a date for the first official broadcast.

“We’re still at the mercy of global supply issues delays with transmitter equipment coming into WA but we’re expecting everything to be installed later this month with a test broadcast early to mid October,” he said.

Local musicians were encouraged to submit content for the station’s library.

“We’d love to have a local focus so Denmark and Great Southern music,” he said.

“There’s a wealth of talent musically and we’d love to give that some profile on air and through our website as well.”

Mr Sivyer said 30 prospective presenters had expressed interest in getting involved.

“Once the test broadcast is up and running that is the window of time we’ll be conducting a comprehensive training program to refine presenters’ skills and start producing content,” he said.

With the project 10 years in the making, Mr Sivyer said there was demand for community radio in Denmark.

He wants 99.7 to be more than a music radio station, with plans to cover gardening, sports and the arts.

The station is based at the Denmark Community Resource Centre.

“Looking at the demographic profile of Denmark of 55 and older compared to other regional towns, there is a bit of disconnection and loneliness and we’d love to be able to provide some service to those people as well who are on the fringe,” he said.

“We don’t have any real-time media in Denmark. Facebook groups have appeal but they’re not representative of the whole community. This platform will be really amazing for the town to weave in all the groups and organisations.”