Many members here will know of a bi-annual event called the National Radio and Phono Fest. It has, apparently until now, been an open event held in Canberra every second year for the purpose of getting as many radio and phonograph collectors together to eat, drink, be merry and also swap, buy and sell anything to do with vintage radios and phonographs.

I understand that this year the event has been shifted to Melbourne and is now exclusively for members of the Historical Radio Society of Australia (HRSA). I recently wrote to the President of the HRSA to get a confirmation on what many people have said to me though after a week I am yet to get a reply and, given the amount of time that has passed, I am probably right to assume that I won't get one.

Can someone please explain what is going on here? The renaming and relocation of the event and the rumoured restrictions on entry are only serving to disappoint a lot of people and admittedly, including myself. My visit to the event in Canberra two years ago lead me to believe that everything was a success and there were hundreds of people visiting.

Brad the Canberra due of 2010 was in fact the largest gathering of radio people - since collecting began in 1982 , there was at least 615 people through the door at the 2010 Canberra !

That was 1 fest I'm very glad I traveled from Perth to be part off, when you consider the hard times we are in and the costs involved - one would have expected a very small turnout ----------instead it was like an Army there was lots of Solidarity present.

The guys travel 100's & 1000's of miles to meet up with old time mates, at these type of events its a hobby its also part of life's event for them - in reality who gives a rats ass if your a paid member, on the day or not.

Is it really so bloody important, your still spending the same colour of money - and everybody is supporting the hobby - I mean, isn't that what its all about eh ? are we trying to keep it all going for the next generation - or are we locking out 1/2 the population, - and having a wake ?

The hobby to survive you got to bring it out of the cupboard, not lock it away - it will survive if we all keep rowing the boat and not locking out essential people, god sake with all the guys have passed on last 10 years, we need all the new blood we can get, and we not going to get it if they lock the door on them !

Hey - we need every soldier we can get - they won't come in the door if they feel discriminated against! - and can you blame them ! I thought we were living in a free country?? I must have taken a wrong turn someplace !!!!

Sadly now we are in worse times than 2010 and for a hobby you really need all hands on deck at a 30th anniversary! The 2010 version was a great success because there were no restrictions, and everybody was invited to share in the pie !

Now the meet been put over to Melbourne and as a ''club event '' along with a dictation that if your not a member you are not welcome ( gee thats cleaver ???)

( EXAMPLE --- to bad about the guy from the street that wanted to go spend his $16,000 winnings from a scratchy ticket on radio --as he's not welcome !

Its really a long way from ''cleaver '' in this economy you can't have the cake and eat it too ! nor can the beggar be the chooser!

Either you want a Great 30th Anniversary fest or you don't -- the doorman/ ticket seller he can't be a chooser / dictator as well --- 1 guys money is as good as the next guys money - or have I missed something ?

Yes totally amazing))) a person can be a member of 1/2 a dozen clubs affiliated with HRSA and he can go to their swap meets, splash his dollars unchallenged -- but comes time for the big fest}}}}} and he's not welcome !!!!! how is that justifiable ??

I though the Burning of Churches with men in white shawls chasing dark figures & sporting pointed hats, was all left behind in Mississippi around 1969 ?????

The HRSA I tell you, they got a lot to answer for - this is a fact ! they'd rather ignore than answer - how queer is that ? Hm who's afraid of what ??

I personally know now 8 radio chaps that have put forward similar letters saying, well hey I can't afford to join 3 clubs but I'm with the one thats affiliated with you - However I'm not allowed to eat at your table --yet you can eat at mine ??? they have all been told ''they are not welcome '' -----------how rude )))))

What are we all missing ???
Appears to be lots of double standards taking place here!

ps

HRSA had a sale swap meet affair this weekend just gone and yet not restricted it was open to all and general public!!!! so ok please check if you like, see if I'm wrong, cause I'm not wrong.

Because 2 mates of mine that are not members were there buying radio goods ( YET IT IS A HRSA EVENT ) - but they are not allowed to go to 30th anniversary? - so go and work that out !!!!! obviously there money is no good ?

I'm a bit disappointed by the lack of communication regarding what seems to be happening. Until questions started getting asked of me a couple of weeks ago I had no recollection that a shift from Canberra to Melbourne was on the cards. Nor did I receive any information that the purpose of the event was going to be altered. After a recent visit to the HRSA wesbite I note that the phrases "National" and "and Phono" have been quietly deleted. It would be interesting to find out from an official source as to why all this is necessary.

If an event is to be a truly iconic national one and receive the most widespread support possible then it should not only be staged in the National Capital but should be devoid of any categorisation of people who want to take part. This pretty much means that as long as someone pays the entry fee at the door (large enough only to cover costs of staging the event) they should earn the right to participate in any or all of the events including running stalls at the big sale. In 2010 I bought a nice Astor Mickey off a chap whose stall was right down the back, he had an impressive display of them - all up for sale along with other radios. I also managed to obtain some rare copies of the Fourth Form at St Percy's radio plays.

For an organisation that claims to be high in the honesty and integrity stakes I would have expected a more professional approach from the HRSA, particularly in response to my letter to the President. If the President is unavailable, surely there would be a media spokeman authorised to comment on his behalf? This is how incorporated associations are supposed to operate.

Have looked through the January & April editions of Radio Waves where there are ads for the Radiofest. There is also a website:

http://www.ozradios.com/.

None of these appear to exclude non-members from attendance.

In the January edition of RW there is a page (10) dedicated to awards a the Radiofest. There is an application form for radios submitted for the 11 categories of awards at the bottom of the page. This requires the HRSA member no. but also the manufacturer, model number, serial number and (ARTS&P ? ) licence number. The purpose of this is stated to be "to protect your valuable radios", it seems by positively identifying each radio and connecting it to its owner.

It would seem reasonable to restrict the competition involving valuable radios to members whose bonafides are provided by their member number.

I wonder if there is a misunderstanding arising from this competition registration form, though it is disappointing that you have received no reply to your letter Brad.

I wonder if events of the weekend that are considered part of the 30th Anniversary of HRSA (competition, AGM etc), have not been sufficiently separated in the ads from the events that are part of Radiofest.

PS I am but a humble HRSA member and have no official role, so the above is my interpretation of the ads.

G'day STC380,

I must admit I am still worried about things. I've been sent correspondence from a few sources that elaborate on this a little further and some of it involves a fairly heated discussion. This is why I approached the HRSA for an official comment and despite not receiving a reply I would still welcome one.

Yes, it is understandable that in the case of a particular attraction being run by the HRSA that sufficient records be kept with respect to radios that come into their possession.

As for the other issues, my disappointment with the relocation of the event comes down to the fact that I am a senior employee where I work and I'm not able to get sufficient time off at this time of the year to drive to Melbourne and other methods such as the train and flying are out of the question - anything purchased would be in pieces on my return to Sydney.

I don't have any issues with the HRSA itself and was once a member years ago. Because the HRSA is based in Melbourne I can appreciate that most organised events are easier to arrange if hosted there however an event like the Radio Fest was one of national significance and one that more people got to because Canberra is a more central location. To be honest, without the required level of communication to everyone, not just current HRSA members, I think a lot of problems may arise. I'm hoping I am wrong about all this.

I think the questions that need to be answered by the President of the HRSA or his authorised spokesman are:-

1. Will the Radio Fest return to Canberra the next time it is due to be staged?
2. Is entry to the sale on the 2012 event and future events open to all participants or just HRSA members?
3. Will stallholders have to be HRSA members or open to all participants?
4. Will the original scope of the Fest be returned to or will it solely pertain to radios in future?

Why not simply call President Mike Osborne on (03) 9809 4014 and ask him direct?

I am a member of the HRSA by default, taking over my late father's membership. He loved going to Canberra and would spend weeks before hand packing up items to sell there at his merger stall. He also gave talks on his home made test equipment which is on DVD from the 2005 fest.
I love the HRSA magazine "Radio Waves"; I think it is very professionally done. They also wrote a very nice article in memory of my father so I can't bag them here. (Issue 119 - page 18)
If it had been in Canberra this year I would have gone, Living on the far north coast of NSW is a big enough drive for me, but Melbourne is out.
I guess we wait and see how it goes; maybe they want it in Melbourne for the 30th only.
Canberra is a good midpoint to meet. I do notice on places like EBay that many radios come from Victoria and South Oz !! is there really a large concentration on members/restorers/hobbyists there also, where do all our members here come from?
Disappointed...........

I suppose at this point in time it would be pertinent for me to clarify a point.

My aim here is to obtain clarification on what is happening to the Fest. I'm not aiming to get into a battle with the HRSA or any other organisations.

I do think everyone deserves to know what is going on though.

GTC, Mike has not been President since 2010 ( at Canberra meet in 2010 mike ozzie gave over the Crown to the ''tall one'' its Tony Mahar now wearing the Crown , fact is if Mike was still on the pulpit, well things would be a tad different !

Although Mike's only 5 foot shit - barely cast a shadow he'd be all of 7 stone wringing wet - I could hardly see him going belly to belly, with that mob lol lol.

Mikes basically a straight shooter so I don't know how that fits with the others at the round table - be a bit like a Priest attending Al Capone's meeting with 10 interstate Gangsters at the Lexington Hotel Chicago, in 1930.

You will find though that once something becomes a ''HRSA event '' thats the end of it ever leaving their fold - its taken in like an orphan, and given a permanent home !

I will wager my ten best sets that unless you have that HRSA ,membership ( for what good it is ) you will not get in the door for the night, where they have a feed - or many other sections.

Because I was told direct from the horses mouth exactly whats to happen, there will be a lot of disappointed folks!
ive known the crowd 22 plus years --oh my god, its not speaking bad of them, or otherwise - its purely telling it as it is - !

They will make it very hard at every turn - that my friends is a fact -i wager on that remember-- il bet my best ten sets and happily load them into your boot - if Joe average collector can stroll off the street into that 30th meet unopposed )))) well - we will see ))) - but its not gunnu happen.

To much of the ''old boys club'' & the ''Purple Circle'' about it all!!!

''Joe public he's last on the agenda, as you all will soon see !

If I were you guys 1 thing I would and WILL DO ! id just turn up -- Rules be damned --you can't beat the populous, what are they gunnu do if you got 200 blokes all sporting irate tempers outside the meet - tell em to go away ???

It's not going to work! --- everybody that holds radios and soldering irons and is committed to the hobby -------has a god given right to be there! attendance my friends, can be only decided by the individuals !

If the rather dizzy Hierarchy don't like it ----------well get used to it ''as the courageous ones will say'' gee thats sad ! we come to far - step aside Pilgrim!!!! I think due to weight of numbers, that sensible reason will triumph on the day !

STC830, I hear what your saying but look pick up the phone spend 50 cents give em a quick ring tell em hey I want to book & pay for come to your bash but I'm not a member ( just try em on ) - see how fast the phone goes down on you - 3 of our members from west Aussie done same, basically they were told to go jump! that was Thursday last week !!

So you know -- many see clubs with Rose Coloured glasses))))) all warm and fuzzy )) yes it was in 1989 lol -- not now sorry, the boats left the dock - its all changed !

They wont even answer email 90% the time so you guys will be in for a shock I'm sure of that !

If the 2012 Radiofest is indeed restricted to HRSA members this forum makes it clear to HRSA Inc. that the wider public want to participate. Hopefully there will be a response from someone in HRSA who will give their reasons for the change in policy.

STC 830 you are correct yes - if the general populous radio fraternity is indeed held out in the cold, well there is one thing we can do to get the message across !

I know a good Tailor locally - I can organise goods we can post to the committee ) some White Pointed hats , a few torches some white shawls , some braided gold embroidered crosses ! few packs of little Lucifer fire lighters lol lol lol

Mississippi burning!!!! all over again ay !

They can all dance around the fire with the burning cross ! we all thought the '''Klan was dead '' -- obviously not eh ! but gee I thing they'd get the message!

No ---but seriously)))) it really could be perceived as that -- hey you can come in, -----but your brother can't))))

I mean come on people---- ''fair go '' its Australia its not North Korea ! presidents names -----its not Kim Il Sung ))) or am I missing something !

I think you are a bit tough on them. Remember that they are volunteers running an Incorporated Society.

As an Incorporated Society the officeholders would have responsibilities to their membership, public liability and health and safety and security issues to confront, all as volunteers. It is conceivable that their insurance conditions restrict attendance to members. Perhaps for these reasons they choose to restrict participation to members.

No mate I'm not tough enough on them ''volunteers ""mate they got 80k +++ in the bank'' they can afford to employ Dr Phil & Oprah Winfrey if need be !-- there is no starvation present!

For a ''non profit organisation'' they done well sporting 80k plus in the bank -- the ''poor buggers''

The Insurance no sorry--- all crap! I inquired, the spring vale town hall regularly hosts events to 800 odd +++ people a time, insurance is no more for 600 than 850!

No I think you would find upon digging deeper, you will keep coming up the ''Purple Circle '' thing ! the Nepotism ! thats where 90% of the problem lies !

Maybe if your Not bug eyed with a hair lip, and talk with a lisp, you don't get in ??? lol lol.

( All in the family you know ) the loving spoonful ! its only a meeting of radio people!!!! its not the G 20 summit on Capitol hill with the - president in charge!!! its just an old radio group -hellloooooooooo!!

GTC, Mike has not been President since 2010

Ooops, I pulled out a Radio Waves at random and it was a 2010 issue.

In that case, those who are keen to find out what is going on call Tony Maher on (03) 9800 4895 (evenings and weekends).

Mike Osborne is currently Vice-President so you could also call him.

Okay,

I am going to write back to the HRSA and repeat my request for answers to the questions I asked. Those answers will be published here if I get a response. If I don't I will note that here instead.

It's not my place, nor is it my wish, to steer people in a particular path. My aim is to provide information. In the absence of that information there is a risk, assuming the rumours on entry restrictions are true, that people travelling to Melbourne for the Radio Fest may end up being turned away at the door and thus all that travelling time will have been for nothing. Then again, there might be an unannounced change of heart and entry will be open to all.

Until I can report back I will lock this thread. Watch this space for further details.