Keppel FM | |
City: | Yeppoon, Queensland |
Country: | Australia |
Callsign: | 4NAG |
Callsign Meaning: | Nick, Andre, Graham |
Area: | Capricorn Coast |
Branding: | YOUR VOICE on the Capricorn Coast |
Format: | community |
Licensee: | NAG Radio Broadcasting Association Inc[1] |
Founded: | 1998 |
Former Names: | Radio NAG; 4NAG |
Keppel FM (stylised as KeppelFM; call sign: 4NAG) is an Australian community radio station located in Yeppoon, Queensland, Australia.[2] [3]
The station commenced transmission as Radio NAG on 20 August 1999 broadcasting from a room at Yeppoon State High School to communities along the Capricorn Coast on 91.3 FM.[1] With the help of Livingstone Shire Council, the station soon after established their permanent studios at the Yeppoon Community Centre in John Street.[2]
Programming broadcast by Keppel FM consists predominantly of live and pre-recorded local shows which are presented by a diverse team of volunteer announcers who vary in age and cultural backgrounds.[4]
Originally broadcasting as "Radio NAG", the station relaunched in 2014 when it began branding itself with its official callsign, 4NAG.[5]
The original NAG acronym was an homage to the station's founders, Nick Saunders, Andre Soarez and Graham Channells who first discussed the viability of establishing a community radio station in Yeppoon during a game of darts.[6]
The station used its annual open day in 2014 as an opportunity to officially unveil its name and revamped programming line-up. Special guests included Livingstone Shire mayor Bill Ludwig and television personality Peter Byrne who cut a ceremonial ribbon with president of Capricorn Coast Community Radio, Cherie Furness.[5]
During National Volunteers Week in 2016, it was revealed 4NAG would be one of thirty-six local Central Queensland community organisations to receive a share in $150,000 of Federal Government funding. It was announced the station would be receiving $5,000.[7]
The station was nominated in the Excellence in Ethnic and Multicultural Engagement category at the 2016 CBAA Awards,[8] but lost to Brisbane's 4EB.[9]
The station underwent a further rebranding in 2019, renaming itself Keppel FM (stylised as KeppelFM).[2]
A Keppel FM spokesperson said it was felt that the time had come to change the station's name to a more recognisable name which had a closer association with the Capricorn Coast, particularly with the station finding a wider audience with online streaming.[2]
An open day was held on 26 October 2019 to celebrate the station's new identity.[2]
In 2019, the station had 15 on air presenters.[2]