ABC Friends Goulburn Valley will encompass the Campaspe, Moira and Strathbogie shires and the City of Greater Shepparton.
Since discussions about establishing the Goulburn Valley branch began late last year, the group has attracted early interest, with 10 members already joining.
ABC Friends GV convenor Robert McLean said all residents throughout the region should consider becoming a member.
“I think everybody should join because the ABC in my view is important to everybody,” he said.
“The ABC is not everybody's cup of tea, but it’s important because it’s the national broadcaster, and it runs an emergency service, which most people use, I imagine.
“It’s important to democracy, and it needs to be properly funded.”
ABC Friends is a non-profit, volunteer-based organisation that launched in 1976 and will be celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.
The group works to uphold and promote the ABC’s vital role as Australia’s national broadcaster and to encourage parliamentarians to continue funding the ABC.
The Goulburn Valley branch will be the third group in Victoria to be based in a regional area.
To promote the organisation and its mission, the group plans to engage with local communities in the near future to raise awareness and recruit new members.
The group will officially launch on Thursday, February 19 at the La Trobe Campus’ community room in Shepparton from 6.30pm.
ABC Shepparton breakfast presenter Nic Healey is set to MC the event, with former ABC Radio Melbourne presenter Jon Faine to be the guest speaker on the night.
For more information about ABC Friends Goulburn Valley or to become a member, email goulburnvalley@abcfriends.org.au
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