End Of An Era

We've made it to 10 years of broadcasting our special "Unforgettable Music" on Sundays on 1593AM. We even lasted a whole year with our increased hours after Errol Baker's Auckland Jazz Radio relinquished its air-time on 1593AM.

Now, however with the Charitable Trusts having been cut to only having around $4 million to distribute, against the previous $11 million per year, we as a Society, competing with so many other worthy causes, just could not sustain the on-air rental.

The committee felt that it was best to retain some monies for future battles (maybe even paying the initial broadcast fee for our desired full time Radio Station in Auckland) and so the decision was made to give the required months notice to Soo Lee Lim and wind up our Sunday broadcast on the 28 October.

Our thanks to Soo Lee and her Lim Family Trust for allowing us this time and for all her support through the years. It wasn't just a commercial rental arrangement, Soo Lee helped us with extra hours here and there and we've had some interesting times and dinners together. Perhaps in the future, our respective interests can come together again.

Thanks to Errol Baker in working with us through the years, sadly Errol was struck down with a stroke which has taken him out of active radio work. Thanks to Eric Allen for being there back in 1997 and allowing a small group to meet at his place to discuss possibilities after the demise of Today FM (disposed of to meet business and Commerce Commission requirements).

Eric Allen has been there for us quietly in the background supplying music and putting us in touch with people who could help us and our music needs.

We started out with an Unforgettable Music Supporter's Club that evolved into the Incorporated Society that exists today, and had around 800 interested persons on our database from those calls made to the Today FM team in its last few days. We had reasonable advertising support in the early days but with our limited hours just could not get enough of our listeners out to the supporting businesses to make that sustainable and we gradually went more and more for funding grants.

Thanks to Warren Flaunty of Massey Pharmacy, Peggy (and Tony) of the Green Bay Bookshop, Jim Berger of Eden Discs (one of Errol Jazz clients but who also separately supported Unforgettable Music), Laurie of The Clinic Pharmacy (again mainly an Auckland Jazz Radio client that made a lesser contribution to our needs) T. Clark Shoes and Maurice Ball’s Payless Travel and a host of other small advertisers. Special thanks to Ivan, Steve, Darren and Craig of Sapich Brothers Wines who've been with us a long time. Even helping us host an event or two at their premises - good memories of the poolside event with Eric and his band providing music. At one stage we had Ray's mini transmitter sited at Sapich's Winery and Steve said we are welcome to do so again.

Funding support - thanks to Daphne and her special efforts. Daphne can list all those organisations that have helped us keep on-air. Thanks to Bob for supporting us through Daphne and for providing guidance on the right words for our constitution and correspondence with Government bodies.

To the on-air team through the years of Jacqui once or twice, Nick Martin and Karen (the cat lady) before they went off overseas, Paul Napier, Caroline Northey and Aidan Tavendale and the lady with style and experience, Rosemary Cobb.

Thanks to Brian Cumber for putting us in touch with a young computer whiz and his Dad - Ayden and Jim Wolf who have been marvellous through the years.

Thanks to Alex Farkash who has enjoyed just helping in the background with the knowledge and access to music. Our Saturday music lunches with Alex, Jim Wolf and myself have been a pleasure.

Thanks to Dave Nelson for his “Te Aroha Treats” on 1593 AM and help with other music.

Thank you to the various committee members and those behind the scenes who've given the support that sustained us. The 'We Are Sailing" Fosters for launching our early fund raisers and get togethers, The Turners, the guitar playing fireman, and the current team who can tell what is happening today and what is likely for the future

Thank you to those on the other side of the radio, for being there as a listener, making it worth our efforts in getting this music out there.

Maybe, one day, we can solve the conundrum of having enough air-time to make it viable for our style of music - for the seniors and those that appreciate music with a melody from great song writers.

Ray Mankelow,

Chairman, Unforgettable Music Society Incorporated. Saturday 13 October 2007