2SSR 99.7 FM's Podcast

2SSR 99.7 FM is operated by Sutherland Shire Community Radio Association Inc. which was formed in 1984 with a nucleus of ten foundation members : Miss Vicki Civils, Mr Keith Clark, Mr Ian Decker, Mr Geoff Goque, Mr Stephen McDonnell, Mr Robert Roulstone, Ms Simone Schwartz, Mr Patrick Shaw, Mrs Vicki Simpson and Mrs Eunice Wingrove ( Current General Manager ). The organisation is non profit, non political and non sectarian. Sutherland Shire Council was a Foundation Sponsor of 2SSR and has remained a major sponsor. The Mayor of Sutherland Shire is a Patron as is T.V. and recording star Helen Zerefos.

The permanent licence was obtained in 1991 after seven test transmissions, and permanent broadcasting commenced on 26th September 1992. Since then the station has developed diverse programming to suit the whole community. It has a special focus on training young people. We run training courses in broadcasting for all ages.. The structured training course developed and introduced in March 1989, has been revised and updated from time to time. 2SSR is a "community access radio station" which trains local citizens to broadcast. It provides a very wide range of information relevant to the community of the Sutherland Shire. Local stations do not compete with commercial stations but produce local content that is not generally available on commercial radio. 2SSR performs a valuable role for the whole community. In 1994 the station underwent its "baptism of fire" when it was called upon to cover the disastrous January bush fires. The NSW government presented the station with a Community Service Award for its role in the fires. 2SSR is recognised as the official source of information in any disaster in the Shire.

An excerpt from the St George & Sutherland Shire Leader at the time read : "Sutherland Shire's community radio station 2SSR remained on air over the weekend to provide information about evacuations and the fires...the station, manned by volunteers, became a vital link in the fire operation. Mainstream radio stations asked listeners to tune to 2SSR for the latest information. The station was on the air when it was normally shut down for the night. It did a great job."

2SSR promotes all community organisations free of charge. It has been a Corporate sponsor of St George and Sutherland Shire Business Enterprise Centre; it has assisted Sutherland Police Local Area Command by broadcasting a Police program which aimed to promote citizen safety and prevent crime. also programs which promote job vacancies aimed at reducing unemployment.

The station continues to offer local content which is less likely to be heard on commercial stations. Regular interviews with representatives of community service organisations, local identities, service clubs, service providers, local sportsmen and women. Station format has included a range of specialist music programs such as Jazz, Classical, Country, Irish, Brass Bands etc., a special program featuring original music of local bands catering for young people and a range of alternative music programs. We have also had programs in Maori, Macedonian, Italian and as part of Christian programming, a one hour program in Mandarin and Cantonese. Maori and Macedonian programs continue today. 2SSR has promoted and continues to promote many local musicians and music groups, supports music industry studies in the Shire, and promotes the activities of all community groups free of charge.

We support the Australian Music Industry by broadcasting a minimum of 30% Australian music. 1994 was a significant year in terms of 2SSR's progress. In late January that year the station established a satellite link through Optus enabling it to share programmes with other Community Radio Stations. A hybrid interface telephone was used to broadcast live the Cronulla Sharks home games. Thereafter it was used to receive live commentary on the Commonwealth Games direct from Victoria, Canada, and to record progress of the local yacht Relentless and others in the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Races. However, without a seven second delay, this phone system is used with discretion.

After a long struggle to find suitable permanent accommodation, the station relocated from the Sutherland Hospital Campus to Sutherland College of TAFE. Gymea Campus, The Kingsway, Gymea 2227. For further information, refer to Contacts. Marketing has always been a high priority and at one time we had approved salespeople paid a commission as an incentive to attract more 'sponsors'. With the commitment of its members and the business community, the future of 2SSR is unlimited. Centrally situated as it is between the CBD of Sydney and Wollongong on the South Coast, and with a growing population which already exceeds 210,000, 2SSR has the potential to provide for a diverse range of needs and interests in the Sutherland Shire. 2SSR is a friend of small business and promotes local businesses ON AIR at very competitive rates. Live outside broadcasts can be arranged for a reasonable fee depending on the terrain. For community organisations our outside broadcast van can be an attraction at your fundraising events and on many occasions we are able to provide outside broadcasts from the van to further attract our listeners to your event. The aim of 2SSR FM is to be the "best local radio station in the south".

ABOUT US­ Read about the history of 2SSR from how we got started to present day­

CONTACT US­ If you would like to have your community event mentioned as part of our regular announcements get in touch ­

2SSR OE's in the Community­ All the latest 2SSR news from the shire including important dates and events­

TRAINING­ Have you got an ear for radio ? 2SSR offers training courses­

SPONSORSHIP­ Contact our office for information onbecoming a 2SSR sponsor­

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PROGRAMME SCHEDULE Check out the programme times for all shows currently available on 2SSR

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