2WAYFM Hastings Community Radio celebrates 40 years of broadcasting in 2026.
Liz Faassen has been with the station for more than 11 years, as a presenter, program manager, sponsorship coordinator and committee member.
It was a pleasure to interview Liz for this week’s edition of Port Mac Goss.
Liz, the station has a very impressive history. What are a couple of things that stand out for you?
It has been going for so long as a community station and we don’t get any money whatsoever from the government. All our income is from donations and sponsorships, and I find that amazing. Also, all presenters on air are volunteers.
The station offers an immense selection of programs, including poetry, country music, rock ‘n’ roll and even international language segments. The content certainly is diverse, isn’t it?
It certainly is and as of just recently we now have a Cantonese presenter who presents the show with a very interesting format, in both English and Cantonese.
We cater for everyone. All our volunteer presenters, when they start with us, have a say on the type of show they want to present, which gives our station such a variety of personalities.
With modern technology, 2WayFM isn’t just restricted to our local area, and can be heard anywhere in the world via the internet. Do you ever hear from listeners outside our region?
Yes, quite often, and we get lots of emails and feedback. We have lots of Melbourne and Sydney listeners and recently a listener from England got in touch with us and let us know that they were enjoying our programs. With modern technology, people can listen anywhere online.
Even though the presenters and the committee are volunteers, there are running costs to keep the station on air. I imagine that you are always looking for ways to keep the station financially secure?
We always need more sponsors. We already have loyal businesses who continue to support us, but we are always on the lookout for more sponsors. A lot of people don’t know, but community station guidelines only allow five minutes of sponsors per hour. So, anyone who comes onboard, and sponsors us, gets good exposure, because commercial radio is not restricted to those guidelines of sponsors.
If anyone is interested in becoming an on-air presenter, what is the process?
They can send an email or phone 2WayFM. We then provide a training course for how to operate the equipment, what they are allowed to say or not to say on air etc.
How can readers check out more information about the station and its programming?
Just go to the website. You can browse through it, check out the various programs, learn more about the station as well as some of the presenters and committee members.
Next year, we are putting together a 40 year birthday celebration, in which everyone who is associated with 2WayFm will be acknowledged for such a great community support over many years.
By Dave ‘Scoop’ LAZARUS
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