Central Victorian Gospel Radio was established on 23rd September 1983 and incorporated in 1986, running many successful test transmissions in its bid to gain an ‘S’ (Special) Class license.
The first transmissions began from the Channel 8 TV site on Mt Alexander in Harcourt. Training of presenters was conducted before the test transmissions began on the 3rd of December 1984. It was a challenging location, with fog, snow and ice being endured during some of those early broadcasts.
The only equipment CVGR owned was 1 small, donated mixer. The transmitter was on loan from Melbourne Christian Radio and all other equipment was borrowed from presenters and supporters. The studio, with a 2.5 tonne transmitter and a 75ft tower, were transported to the top of Mt Alexander. They were assembled by a team of about twenty men and then disassembled and transported off site when transmissions were complete.
Test transmissions ran for 24hrs per day for a week at a time, with presenters broadcasting on 104.7 FM. Over time, the test programs were extended to up to periods of twelve months as the team worked to gain the permanent license.
As time passed, more equipment was donated or purchased as support for the station increased. This included the purchase of a link transmitter, which enabled broadcasting from a studio in Harcourt that made the job much better and safer for presenters and the support teams.
On Wednesday the 20th of May 1998, a permanent site for the studio was obtained in the Harcourt Valley, just 6kms west of the original broadcasting site in the town of Harcourt.
Further advances were made with the introduction of automated play lists which were used when presenters were unavailable. For a time, the transmitter was co-sited with 3CCC in their transmitting hut on Mt Alexander.
In 2010, CVGR decided to take up a community broadcasting radio license and launch a new look Christian radio station. In early February 2011, the station began broadcasting on the frequency 105.1 FM. This radio license allowed the station to broadcast to a listening audience of 100,000+ people in Bendigo and the nearby communities, with the capacity to stream over the internet and be accessible right around the globe.
In 2013, Mikey Dynon was appointed by the Committee of Management as the first General Manager, emphasising a contemporary sound for the station’s new branding. In 2015, Gaelle Broad took over the reins and continued to grow the station’s local presence. Peter Stanton then held the role from 2018, bringing decades of radio experience to the station until he passed into glory on 14 February 2023.
The station is currently run by a committee and a dedicated content and programming manager and supported by passionate volunteers. The values of the station have remained the same throughout its history, staying true to its roots, to broadcast the Good News of Jesus Christ and support the Christian community.