Update from our CEO
from Tennille Moisel – JOY Chief Executive Officer
The last four weeks seem to have flown by in a blur, with the tail end of our Queer festival season keeping everyone at JOY extra busy.
Over a third of our talented volunteers were involved in some way with our epic Mardi Gras weekend broadcast – from those who were on the ground in Sydney presenting, producing and panelling to the teams of people here in Melbourne podcasting, presenting, posting on social media and providing technical support. We broadcast over 25 hours of Mardi Gras-specific content, which included dozens of interviews with performers and supporters of the event, specialist shows celebrating the diverse cultures within our rainbow, and amazing themed music. For the fifth year in a row, our Mardi Gras broadcast was simulcast on SBS radio, further cementing a great partnership. I would like to thank everyone who assisted for their enthusiasm and dedication. If you missed the 50-hour broadcast, don’t fret – the highlights are available in podcasts on the JOY website.
We are coming up to our annual fundraiser – Radiothon. This year we are lifting the bar again and will be putting the call out to anyone who has ever been a member to re-join or renew and to tell a friend or family member to do so too. During May and June we will be encouraging all of our listeners and supporters to make their annual contribution to Australia’s first and only LGBTI radio station. Now more than ever it is important to ensure that LGBTI voices have a platform, and Radiothon is the time of year we use to remind everyone of this. JOY relies on memberships and donations to keep the doors open and the studios on, so please make sure you participate. We are working on another great prize and are finalising an incredible guest list to get you all inspired. Look out for details of our on-air week.
As always, I am excited to listen to our new and returning shows on the next program grid – check out Chris Tait’s piece in this newsletter for more details.
RECENT POSTS
Welcome to JOY’s Summer Season 2025-26
JOY 94.9 is thrilled to announce the launch of this year's Summer Season schedule, running from Monday 8 December 2025 ...
Sunday Arts Magazine Art Exhibition Brings Queer Creativity to St Kilda
This November, JOY celebrates the colourful intersection of community and creativity with the first-ever Sunday Arts Magazine Art Exhibition, featuring ...
Melbourne Queer Film Festival 2025: Searching for Queer Utopias
The Melbourne Queer Film Festival (MQFF) returns for its 35th Anniversary from 13–23 November, inviting audiences to join the search ...