FM 98.5 The Pulse of the Valleys, Shepparton, Victoria

The lady who is widely acknowledged as the founder of
community radio in the Goulburn Valley has retired after 28 years
voluntary service to the Goulburn Valley Community Radio.
Trish Britten was Shepparton's Community Education Officer in
1980 when she convened a public meeting to look at the
establishment of a community radio station for the region.
Twenty eight years later the Shepparton station is recognized
as one of Australia's vibrant community based stations
broadcasting live and local 24 hours a day.

A farewell dinner for Ms Britten was held in Shepparton where
a number of speakers spoke of the early days of community
radio and the processes of obtaining a license, studio's and
transmission sites.
In paying tribute to Trish Britten, FM 98.5 Chairman CR Kevin Ryan
spoke of her leadership in those early days and in particular her
service as chairman, committee member and her vision for the station.

Ms Britten was awarded a Order of Australia Medal 2006 for her
service to the Shepparton Community as detailed below:

Executive Officer and Tenancy Advise Officer, Goulburn Regional Housing Council, 1986-1995
Initiated the founding of 3 Common Equity Housing Co-operatives in Shepparton and one in Kyabram.
Current Secretary, Goulburn Valley Common Equity Rental Housing Co-operative, Member, Board of Directors, Founding Member 1988.
Member, Board of Director, Common Equity Housing, 1990-2005 Deputy Chair to November 2005
Chair Policy Advisory Committee 2001-2005 Current Member
Community Education Office, Goulburn Valley Promotion of Adult Continuing Education1980's
Assisted in establishing in 2 Community Houses, Committee Member, Chairperson
Committee Member, North Shepparton Community House, Chair
Committee Member, South Shepparton Community House, 1986-1998, Treasurer 1990- 1998.
Current Volunteer, Shepparton Community Radio FM 98.5,
Founding Chair 1980,
Life Member
Volunteer, Shepparton Charity Card Shop, Current Secretary
Member, Rotary Club of East Shepparton, for many years, Charter Member, Life Member
Member, St Augustine Anglican Church

Awards /Recognition includes
Citizen of the Year Award, City of Shepparton 1990
Paul Harris Fellow, Rotary Club of East Shepparton 1987

Trish presented her last show on air on May the 26th prior to her retirement to the Victoria's western district.
At the conclusion of the evening CR Ryan announced that the services of Ms Britten to community radio in the Goulburn Valley will be remembered by the naming of the Trish Britten Board Room.