JOY 94.9 announces new home at Victorian Pride Centre in 2020

Australia’s first and only LGBTQI radio station JOY 94.9 has announced it will be relocating to the Victorian Pride Centre next year,

“JOY 94.9 is delighted to work in partnership with the Victorian Government and the Pride Centre to embark on a bright future for this unique community asset,” said JOY 94.9 CEO Ange Barry.

“Ensuring the voices, issues and contributions of the LGBTQI community reach our local, national and international audiences through the existing and emerging platforms available to independent community media.”

JOY turned 26-years-old on the weekend, after beginning its first transmission above a hardware store in South Melbourne on 1 December 1993. After fourteen years, the station relocated to Bourke Street as part of the City of Melbourne’s City Village initiative.

Minister for Equality Martin Foley MP joined Pride Centre Chair Jude Munro AO with the JOY team in a symbolic ceremony handing them the keys to the Victorian Pride Centre.

“JOY 94.9 promotes diversity in discourse through its programming, presenters and podcasts,” said Munro.

“The Pride Centre’s modern recording studios will ensure that JOY continues to reach its listeners both at home and abroad.”

 The Andrews Labor Government is proud to be providing $800,000 over four years to assist JOY 94.9  to relocate to the Pride Centre and provide support operations, this will included helping JOY build new studios and upgrade to digital broadcasting.

These purpose-built studios will support JOY in transforming to meet both the challenges and opportunities of the digital age, as it continues to be an independent and influential voice for the queer community.  

“The Victorian Pride Centre will be a valuable space for generations of LGBTIQ people and an assurance to all Victorians that in this state – equality is not negotiable, ” said Minister for Equality Martin Foley.

“We’re proud to support JOY 94.9 and recognise the important contribution this volunteer-based organisation makes to providing a voice to Victoria’s diverse LGBTIQ communities.”

 The Labor Government has also invested $15 million in the Victorian Pride Centre for construction, which is a part of our record $82.3 million investment in LGBTIQ Victorians and communities. 

“JOY 94.9 is vital in providing LGBTIQ communities with a voice. We are thrilled that from late 2020 this voice will be broadcast from the Pride Centre, in the heart of St Kilda,” Munro added.

JOY is the second resident organisation announced on the first floor of the Pride Centre, joining the LGBTIQ youth driven Minus18.