JOY posts 2009 loss

Melbourne GLBTIQ radio station JOY 94.9 has followed other community organisations in posting a loss for the last financial year.
The station reported a $105,974 shortfall at Saturday’s annual general meeting, down from $390,735 profit the previous year.
The loss has been blamed equally on the move to the new city headquarters ($54,000) and new equipment costs (of around $50,00) with the refit of the Bourke St studios.

JOY 94.9 treasurer Matt Kelly said it had been a challenging financial year and the result would force the station to look at ways of diversifying income with new fundraising ventures.

“It’s been a difficult 12 months for the economy,” Kelly told the meeting. “Especially for media organisations and it’s been a tough year for JOY, but we estimate we’ll get through it as smoothly as we can.”

The station remains in the black with its cash flow still in good shape from the strong 2007/2008 financial year.
Kelly said, with small businesses having a rocky financial year, sponsorship — which JOY 94.9 relies on ­—  was down this year, $379,175 in 08/09 compared to $639,031 in 07/08.

Donations and fundraising also decreased marginally with Victoria’s bushfires dominating the rattle of the tin.

Heading into next year, the board said it would increase its push for government grant assistance.

Incoming station manager Danae Gibson was warmly welcomed during the meeting, giving her first formal address in taking over from acting station manager Dan Vo.

Vo spoke of the importance of JOY 94.9 to his life when he was struggling to come out as a teenager.
“We’ve got a great power to wield in our community,” he said.

Of the seven candidates vying for the three vacant board positions, corporate accountant Alastair McKenzie, Mercedes-Benz Australia Pacific communications manager David McCarthy and long-time JOY94.9 presenter Addam Stobbs were elected.

A resolution to amend the station’s Rules of Association to allow sitting board members to apply for paid or contracted work with JOY 94.9 was not passed.

A motion enabling the board to determine the number of sitting board members was also contentious. The proposed changes were voted on wholesale and overwhelmingly not supported by members.

In related news, the station is now broadcasting a weekly GLBTIQ news service called Q-mmunity Network News (QNN) across the country in a five-minute news slot via the Community Radio Network.