On February 7, 2009, Victoria experienced the worst bushfires in Australian history. The Murrindindi Shire was devastated, with over 40% of the shire affected by the fires. UGFM played a critical role in emergency communications during and after the disaster.
The Day
When fires broke out across Victoria on that catastrophic Saturday, UGFM immediately switched to emergency broadcasting. Our volunteers worked continuously to provide vital information to our community:
- Fire locations and movement
- Evacuation routes and relief centers
- Emergency service announcements
- Community messages and reunification
Impact on Our Region
The Black Saturday fires had a devastating impact on the Murrindindi region:
- Over 1,100 homes destroyed
- Tragic loss of life in our communities
- The townships of Marysville and Kinglake severely affected
- Our Flowerdale and Marysville transmission equipment destroyed
Our Response
Despite losing transmission equipment, UGFM maintained broadcasts throughout the emergency. Our presenters worked around the clock, many putting in shifts of 12-16 hours to ensure continuous coverage. The dedication of our volunteers in the face of this tragedy demonstrated the true spirit of community radio.
Legacy
The events of Black Saturday shaped UGFM's future. We have since been recognized as Australia's first Community Radio Emergency Broadcaster, invested heavily in backup systems and emergency equipment, and continue to honor those we lost through our commitment to emergency preparedness.
In 2013, UGFM broadcasters were awarded the National Emergency Medal for their service during the 2009 bushfires.
We will never forget.