Ararat is about to welcome a new era of radio broadcasting. 

The ACE Radio Network will transition its 3WM AM station to FM frequency next month. 

Listeners in the Ararat district can tune into 96.1FM after Friday, August 12.

The Morning Rush, Neil Mitchell, Country Today, The Coodabeen Champions, Sportsday, AFL Nation, The Shirtfront, Local Football Live and all regular programming will broadcast with a clearer and stronger signal for listeners.

ACE Radio Network content director Adam Roche said ‘the switch’ had been a long time in the works. 

“As we continue to strive to entertain and inform our listeners, we are always looking at ways to enhance the listening experience,” he said. 

“ACMA, the Australian Communications and Media Authority, has issued us a FM license in the Ararat region, allowing us to provide all our 3WM programming on the new FM frequency of 96.1.” 

Mr Roche said a weekend of celebrations would mark the change. 

Mr Roche will broadcast his show, Adam in the Afternoons, from 1pm from the network’s Ararat offices in Barkly Street, next to Ararat Town Hall.  

ACE Radio Network owner Rowly Paterson, general manager Brendan O’Loughlin, Ararat Rural City Council chief executive Dr Tim Harrison and deputy mayor Bob Sanders will join Mr Roche to flick the switch at 2.30pm.

A special broadcast of The Coodabeen Champions begins at Ararat RSL from 4pm.

“With the town celebrating 150 years of the Ararat Football Netball Club across the weekend, we will be broadcasting our local sports show, The Shirtfront, from the town hall, where their gala event will take place in the evening; before heading to Alexandra Oval to call the match between the Ararat Rats and Horsham, as part of Local Football Live,” Mr Roche said. 

“Making the switch from AM to FM is a significant event, and we are delighted the Ararat region will be the first to experience our heritage station, 1089 3WM on the FM dial.” 

General manager Brendan O’Loughlin invited people to join the celebrations. 

“This is the result of a lot of hard work from our technical department who have been working tirelessly to make this happen in the background,” he said.  

“To see it come to fruition and to have Ararat have the first opportunity of this transition is exceptional.” 

Listeners in other areas of the region can continue to tune into 1089 3WM.

The entire July 27, 2022 edition of The Weekly Advertiser is available online. READ IT HERE!

The entire July 27, 2022 edition of AgLife is available online. READ IT HERE!