General Manager to exit C31

Richard McLelland has formally resigned as General Manager of community broadcaster C31 Melbourne and Geelong after 6 years.

McLelland has been particularly active during the sector’s role following analogue switch off and a campaign to extend digital spectrum access before moving online -the latter was recently extended to 2016. He has also been Secretary of The Australian Community Television Alliance.

“I’ve enjoyed my time with the organisation over my six plus years as General Manager,” he said in an email to staff. “It’s been immensely rewarding – and particularly challenging over the last 18 months. Together, there have been many challenges faced, progressive initiatives successfully implemented and significant milestones achieved, and I have personally learned a great deal. I thank all staff, producers and members.”

Under Mr McLelland’s stewardship, C31 Melbourne has built a reputation as the country’s leading community broadcaster enjoying strong support from its community of members, independent producers and volunteers. C31 established links with most of Melbourne’s major tertiary institutions, major events and festivals, local sports organisations and many special interest and community groups. In 2015 he oversaw the station’s move to new headquarters in William St in the city with the building of a state of the art studio and technical facilities. Recently a long held ambition to cover and broadcast live community and sports events become a reality with the purchase of an outside production kit using 4G technology to transmit the signal back to the studio for live broadcast and streaming.

He will leave his post in early December.