HISTORY

DIY Student Radio began in the 60’s as a pirate radio station called 3DR or Draft Resistance Radio. The mid-sixties saw the station gain some semblance of legality when in 1965 it became an official student club known as 3mu (Monash University Radio). The club trained students in radio broadcasting and presentation but also provided entertainment and information to the students of Monash University through internal broadcasting. 1972 saw 3MU become part of the Monash University Union, moving to the basement of what is now known as the Campus Centre. While broadcasting over the PA system in the Campus Centre, the early 80's saw 3MU obtain a low power AM broadcasting licence from what was then known as the Department of Communications.

However, there were problems from the start. 3MU's allocated frequency was outside the 'normal' AM broadcast band, as a result, the majority of radio listeners could not tune in to 3MU's frequency without modification, irritating for anyone who wanted to listen and making it impossible for 3MU to attract an audience.

In 1989 3MU conducted a test transmission on the FM band from the Clayton campus of Monash. This proved highly successful, and marked the culmination of 24 years of effort to have the 'voice of Monash students' broadcast to the public of Melbourne. It was around this time that 3MU moved from cramped quarters in the Union building basement, to the ground level of the Union Building.

In 1992 3MU received a capital grant from the Monash University Union which saw the construction of its present broadcasting and production studios. At the beginning of 1997, 3MU moved to these purpose built studios and into its current location in the southern extension of the Union Building. This provided great benefits to 3MU. It was closer to facets of campus life at Monash, such as Lot's Wife (student newspaper) and MSA Activities and was more accessible to students who had aspirations of becoming a radio presenter.

At this time 3MU had temporary FM license on the 95.7 band which it shared with 'Golden Days' radio. The station broadcast 3 days a week from Monday midnight onwards through to midnight on a Friday morning. The station was entirely run by Monash students and has been highly successful. There have been interviews with many major bands, some of which have performed in the studio for the '3MU Live Lounge' program.

In August of 1999, 3MU finally got the new studio up and running. 3MU's show Lost In The Web changed format and became a live music show. Dust Our Broom began to present live musicians as well.  A year later in August 2000 3MU released its first CD, featuring a collection of bands that had appeared on 'The Live Lounge' and 'Dust our broom'.

In 2001 3MU changed to 3MR (3 Monash Radio) to encompass the surrounding community of the Monash area rather than catering for just students going to Monash University.

2001 also saw 3MR become the first student radio station to have a stage at major music festival in Australia. The Offshore festival which was held at the Melbourne showgrounds had a 3MR Live Lounge stage, which was run by the members of 3MR, and was played on by local signed and unsigned acts, local and international comedians, plus a headlining international act.

Unfortunately 2001 also saw the abolition of temporary broadcasting licences, meaning the myriad of small aspirant community radio stations running on temporary licences had to make way for a much smaller group running on permanent licences. 3MR was one of the many community radio stations that were not allowed to continue broadcasting.

Since then 3MR has become DIY Student Radio, an internet broadcaster. The student voice will not be silenced!!