On Saturday afternoon at 2 pm we have the screening of films by visiting American independent filmmakers organized by Michael Riddell. Come and meet the filmmakers Shelli Lipton and Nathan Koenig at the Scenic World Cinema. Tickets are $10 from Velvet Fog, Froma Lane, off Katoomba Street, Katoomba, or phone the office 4782 9286.

Our Planning Day is on Sunday 27 at the Nepean College in Gang Gang Street (please enter via our studio). Starting at 2 pm, the think tank will be under the direction of Mark Horton. This is an important event that will determine the future direction of BLU FM so make your best effort to be there.

Youth co-ordinator elected

At a meeting on Wednesday 23 April our under-25s elected a youth representative.

Congratulations to Tom Oriti on his election to the position.

The meeting saw the youth representative as “one to bring up problems, represent youth at meetings” and is “about fairness and no discrimination”.

 “BLU FM is a station that is enthusiastic towards youth and we believe that the election of a youth coordinator will help to involve youth in areas outside the studio, as well as increasing the quality of content on each youth program,” says Tom.

The young people discussed many issues of concern to them as presenters at BLU FM and have made a number of fundraising proposals. We’ll have more details on due course.

Special thanks are due to Louisiana Cash-Morley for organising this meeting and promoting youth issues within the station during her recent tenure as Vice-President.

Kerry Bartlett and The Young Ones

Byron (11) and Otis (10) who present The Young Ones (Wednesdays 4.30-6.00pm) are our youngest presenters. They report for us on their interview with Kerry Bartlett last week.

Last Wednesday The Young Ones was pleased to have as special guest our Federal Member of Parliament Mr Kerry Bartlett.

The program’s host Byron had approached Mr Bartlett’s office recently to request a guest appearance and was delighted when Mr Bartlett agreed to attend for an interview.

Otis and Byron as usual hosted the program beginning with the usual musical offerings and reserved the latter half of the program for the interview.

Mr Bartlett was introduced and interviewed by Byron with questions relating to youth issues in the Mountains and the provision of facilities by different levels of government.

There was a pleasant and relaxed exchange of ideas with both interviewer and interviewee seeming to enjoy the occasion.

Amongst the subjects broached was the possibility of a bike lane along the Great Western Highway, which was treated with interest and enthusiasm although a State Government issue.

Mr Bartlett brought along one of his favourites CDs, which was also aired on the program.

The Young Ones has ambitions for more political personalities for their still relatively young program as our local Mayor Jim Angel and our State Member Mr Bob Debus have already agreed to appear on the program.

Incidentally, if you go to the Young Ones’ page on our website, there is a photograph of the boys with Kerry Bartlett in our studio.

Sausage sizzle a success

The sausage sizzle in the car park at Bunnings Building Supplies in Valley Heights was a success. Together with the raffle we raised $258.75.

We are grateful to Bunnings and Kate and Robert and their staff for making us so welcome and in donating the sausages and bread rolls.

We are also grateful to IGA Supermarket in Blaxland and Peter for donating the meat and vegetable tray for the raffle (which was won by Kate!).

Brian turned out to be a dab hand at barbecuing and Ken buttered the rolls (yes, buttered the rolls, this was a really classy sausage sizzle!).

We particularly thank Steve Perry from the Soccer Show (Saturdays 8-10 pm) for lining this up, Colin for organizing the raffle and James for providing transport.

We took the new display board with us and were tuned to BLU FM throughout the morning and early afternoon.

Computer course for seniors

The Nepean Community College in Katoomba is offering computer courses especially for seniors.

The courses are: Introduction to Computers, Internet and Email and MS Works. The courses run for four sessions in various configurations during May, June and July.

For eligible seniors, the cost of these courses is only $30 (normally $130). Enquiries to 4782 3532 and mention BLU FM for VIP service. Incidentally, the college runs it own Seniors Computer Club.