Way back in 1968 Chris Moy was a young schoolboy with a dream of establishing a radio station. In the middle of his mother’s Downer lounge room, Chris erected a small cardboard studio complete with egg cartons for sound proofing. Little did he know what was in his future.
Some thirty years later Chris joined forces with a couple of other interested folks to realise his childhood dream by establishing a community radio station for the people of Tuggeranong.
In the early days they conducted simulated outside broadcasts at various Tuggeranong shopping centres. Chris met with the ACT Chief Minister, Kate Carnell MLA, who agreed that Valley FM could take over the deserted former Wanniassa Police Station building which was in a derelict and dilapidated state. Valley FM members cleaned and refurbished the building and constructed a studio in the former police interview room.
After a Temporary Community Broadcasting Licence (TCBL) was granted Valley FM’s first test broadcast went to air on the frequency 90.3MHz Thursday June 17, 1999. From an initial cohort of 12 announcer numbers soon rose to 30 and another test broadcast followed in mid-July 1999. This was on the new frequency of 89.5MHz assigned by the then Australian Broadcasting Authority (now the Australian Communications and Media Authority). Testing over, the next task was to complete an application for a Permanent Community Broadcasting Licence (PCBL).
Regular weekend broadcasting commenced in July 1999. Full time (24×7) broadcasting commenced December that year. The licence application was successful and the PCBL was granted on May 1, 2000. Valley FM 89.5 was able to continue permanent, 24×7 broadcasting on 89.5MHz which it continues to do to this day.
Since 1999 Valley FM has provided opportunities and enjoyment to many, many people. Chris Moy’s childhood dream had become a reality. For his efforts Chris was awarded a Centenary Medal for his Services to the Community in 2001.