What I See with Peter Fiorenza: Taking a leap of faith by launching new internet radio station in Geraldton

Sometimes in life you have to take a gamble. That is something a couple of mates and I are doing at the moment. For almost a year, we have been working on a radio project — yes, a new radio station for Geraldton. Now, don’t get too excited. It’s not your big network-type set up, but something humbly local, that we hope will be a success. Why are we doing it? Why are we taking the risk? Firstly, it’s somewhat indulgent. We are all radio heads and love spinning the vinyl, putting on headphones and talking to ourselves endlessly in a soundproof room. But it’s really more than that. We are all community-minded, love Geraldton and everything about it and are keen to let everyone know. We want to expose people to what is happening in their own backyard, from school fetes to live concerts, with great local businesses and major sporting events. If it’s happening in Geraldton, we want to be there and we want you to know about it. Radio Geraldton is an internet-based radio station and won’t have an “old school” frequency. But that doesn’t mean it won’t have any old school radio elements. We will try to bring a good blend of music and talk, with a fair bit of sport too. Radio is an intimate median — I reckon it’s the only form of media that has the ability to wrap itself around you. Radio Geraldton wants to spread as far and wide as it can and give the listener that important crutch that helps them get through the day. This is what my mates and I believe is missing from radio in Geraldton at the moment, and we are going to have a shot at filling the void. But I’m apprehensive. Will people like who we are? Will people like what we do? Will people like Radio Geraldton? Maybe my mates and I have got it wrong, and have spent months putting our hard earned into a huge hole of wasted time and effort. At times, an element of worry sneaks in, but as we near our imminent launch date, I can feel a sense of excitement. Optimism is a good thing, I think. Peter Fiorenza hosts Sports Shed Saturday (9am to noon) and Fiorenza on Sunday (10am to noon) on Radio MAMA