Seniors radio is in the air

By Sarah Schwager
A COMMUNITY radio program run by seniors for seniors is on the drawing board in Casey.
The City of Casey is researching the possibility of establishing a senior-focused program on local radio station Casey 3SER 97.7fm.
The council is currently gauging interest from Casey’s senior citizens to see if such a program is needed.
3SER station manager David Lentin has thrown his support behind the program, saying a slot for seniors was well and truly needed.
“We are looking at this very seriously,” Mr Lentin said.
“We have already had meetings with various organisations to look at the possibility of setting up a one-hour show to help establish a good connection with senior citizens.”
Mr Lentin said he had approached the council a year ago about running a program and the council had just started up the research again now.
He said the station had three focuses – children and education, elderly people and disabled people.
Mr Lentin said he had also suggested to Casey Council that it also run a festival for seniors once the program was set up, with various stalls and information, and broadcast the seniors program live at the festival for the day.
Cranbourne Senior Citizens Club president Barry Mentha said it would be great to have a program specifically dedicated to seniors.
“I think there is a need for it,” Mr Mentha said.
“That way you can let people know when things are, like bingo and dances and community events, but also informative things like health.”
He said it would also be a good opportunity for senior citizens to have a chance to be on air to promote their own ideas.
Mr Lentin said seniors wanting to announce or participate in the program would receive training at the station.
Doveton Senior Citizens Centre president Ray Parton said the club had received a letter from the council about the possibility of a program and said there had been an enthusiastic response at the club.
“I think it’s great. Years ago we used to go and talk on the radio,” Mr Parton said.
He said while a lot of their members were in their 80s and may not be as enthusiastic about talking on the radio, they would definitely tune in.
“We would be doing that for sure. Anything concerning seniors we want to know about,” he said.
Mr Parton said it would be good to have a community focus as he felt Doveton was often passed by.
City of Casey manager of aged and disability services Sophia Petrov said the City of Casey was still in the process of researching the possibility of facilitating the establishment of a senior focused program on 3SER.
“We are currently consulting with representatives of senior citizen groups and older residents in the community,” Ms Petrov said.
To participate in the research contact City of Casey Positive Ageing Programs project officer Blythe Chidgey on 9705 5200.