Vision
"Whatever people are like, I try to find common ground with them so that they will let me tell them about Christ and let Christ save them".
1 Corinthians 9:22
We exist because we believe that everybody should have the opportunity to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Mission Statement
Way Fm aims to present Jesus to the widest possible audience and to all who will listen, through finding common ground with them.
To promote the Christian Lifestyle and encourage Christians to promote the Gospel.
To broadcast twenty four hours a day enabled by the Grace of God through prayers, subscriptions, gifts and the good will of its partnership supporters.
Basis for Growth
We will grow by strengthening our prayer support and donor base while becoming more professional and marketing oriented in the implementation of our mission.
Sustainable Competitive Advantage
We are unique in our ability to provide music that appeals to our target audience, virtually free from interruption, in association with positive, encouraging and uplifting messages.
A Short History
The use of radio to share the gospel has a history that goes back almost as far radio itself. Powerful short wave stations have been established around the globe in countries such as Equador, Philippines and the Seychelles. They have played a vital role in bringing many to faith and providing support to the persecuted church in many countries.
In Australia there have been a number of church owned commercial stations over the years but the cost and availability of licences was a major hurdle. In 1978 the advent of Community Broadcasting licences offered a new way forward.
The first round of licences were offered in capital cities. Amongst the successful applicants was 7HFC (now Ultra 106.5) in Hobart.
A local group including Colin Ferguson, Neil Young, Tony Walsh, Mark Nightingale and Rex MacLean saw the possibilities for a similar station in Launceston.
A public meeting was held in December 1980 where overwhelming support was given for the establishment of a Community broadcasting station on behalf of the Christian community.
The first task was to convince the Government to offer not one but two Community licences for the city. Against expectations both licences were made available. But that wasn`t the end of the story.
Launceston Christian Broadcasters Inc. (as it became known in 1982) then had to convince the Broadcasting Tribunal that it had the plans and capacity to run a radio station. A transmitter site had to be found, building plans prepared, budgets drawn up, equipment chosen, details of programming sorted out and the support of the Christian community for the project developed. A licence application document of over 600 pages was the result.
A formal licence hearing was held in Launceston in 1984. The Tribunal looked at the application in great detail and considered arguments that the city could only support one station. Tony Walsh and Clarrie Pryor played a leading role in the presenting the case. The granting of a licence was still most uncertain.
In 1985 the news came through. Against expectations a licence had been granted! Suddenly the plans on paper had to be put into action. Thousands of volunteer hours were given to construct the studio complex, including significant help from Mobile Mission Maintenance. The only paid work involved was the erection of the 65m tower.
The official opening and naming of WAY FM happened on 27 July 1987. Now, many years later, the technology has changed but not the vision. Records have been replaced by CDs and soon computers will be used to play music. Our specific aim is to reach a community that lack hope and purpose with the Good News of Jesus Christ thus providing encouragement to face the challenges of life in the 21st Century.