3MDR

3MDR broadcasts locally on the frequency of 97.1fm - listeners from all over the world can tune in online. The main aim of 3MDR is to provide an independent community voice for the Mountain District area, with interactive local news, culture, entertainment and emergency alerts.

3MDR mountain district radio 97.1fm is a community broadcaster based east of Melbourne in the forest-covered mountains of the Dandenong Ranges. From a homely little studio in Emerald, 3MDR broadcasts across the Mountain District area, reaching out to the communities of Ferntree Gully, Upwey, Monbulk, Silvan, Gembrook, Pakenham, Beaconsfield, Belgrave, Emerald, Cockatoo and everywhere in between. The signal can be picked up much further away and can be webstreamed online anywhere in the world (with the necessary implements, computer, internet etc.).

In 2013 3MDR won the Community Broadcasting Association Australia's 'Contribution to Australian Music' Award, sponsored by APRA, for the A Mountain of Sound project - an annually released triple disc compilation CD, featuring 52 songs by 52 artists from Dandenong Ranges, all recorded live by 3MDR.

3MDR airs a wide variety of programs for all audiences, with something for everyone. The presenters are passionate about broadcasting and are actively involved in the community.

3MDR broadcasts 24 hours a day 7 days a week with programming that includes music, live performances, news and lifestyle, talk-back and local community arts and culture: with specialty music programs that play everything from metal, blues, country, folk to hip-hop. MDR airs a high concentration of Australian music content and supports independent artists.

MDR hosts a wide variety of ethnic programs (Greek, Romanian, Sri-Lankan and more). In addition to music, 3MDR also broadcasts live, local football every Saturday afternoon during football season.

MDR is an emergency broadcaster and provides vital bushfire information and potentially life-saving updates on Code Red fire days.

3MDR regularly runs free Community Service Announcements for community groups based in the Mountain District License area, keeping locals in touch with local news.

Each year in November, 3MDR hosts a two-week-long radiothon, supported by a prize draw - offering a range of prizes donated by local businesses to new subscribers. The radiothon is 3MDR’s annual membership drive in which listeners are encouraged to ring and pledge their support to the station.

As a part of the annual fortnightly radiothon, MDR also hosts a live entertainment event known as The Big Gig where a selection of local bands play live at a local venue.