Local community radio station RTRFM has kicked off its annual Radiothon fundraiser with a live broadcast from Local and Aesthetic in Mount Lawley.

The call for subscribers is an essential part of the station’s ongoing sustainability. Those who sign up go into the draw to win a range of impressive prizes while helping support local music, arts and storytelling.

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The station is home to more than 50 weekly programs, including LGBTQIA+ themed All Things Queer, women in music program Drastic on Plastic, and local music spotlight Homegrown.

Every August, RTRFM calls on the community to contribute towards its operating costs and help keep the station independent.

Supporters can subscribe by visiting RTRFM’s award-winning website at RTRFM or by calling 9260 9210 during the Radiothon campaign, which begins on Friday 14 August and runs until the end of September.

The theme for Radiothon 2026 is “RTRFM, It’s Good for You”, highlighting how listening to and participating in the station contributes to a vibrant and connected community.

Funds raised through subscriptions and donations play a vital role in covering essential expenses, including licensing fees, presenter training, equipment and staffing costs, enabling RTRFM to continue broadcasting.

During Radiothon, fundraising also helps support the station’s renowned live music events, including the long-running In the Pines festival, held at Somerville Auditorium for more than three decades, and the Fremantle Winter Music Festival. Gold Subscribers receive free entry to these events.

Community members can show their support by becoming a subscriber.

RTRFM provides listeners and the broader community with diverse music programming, local stories and opportunities to stay connected. Supporters say the station plays an important role in strengthening community connections and supporting Western Australia’s independent music and arts sectors.

Declaration: OUTinPerth co-editor Graeme Watson is a former employee of RTRFM and is currently a volunteer broadcaster at the station. You can hear him on the Sunday afternoon show Golden Apples of the Sun.