It was recently named Most Outstanding Community Radio Station in Australia for 2020.

This was one of the three awards the local radio station picked up at the 2020 Community Broadcasting Association Awards.

Lea Steed's program 100% Home-grown won an award for Contribution to Australian Music - Initiative 2020, while Warren Barnett won the Outstanding Volunteer Contribution for 2020.

And the Highland FM renaissance story starts where it ultimately ends...and that is with its people.

In December 2019 Adam Stokeld became the station manager.

His background was in business/finance and marketing, so firstly, he evaluated the station as a business model.

Adam visited council to obtain the demographic breakdown of the region and said he was surprised to learn the median age was 47 years and the age group splits were fairly even with 40 to 55 years being the largest group.

"This was not reflective of Highland FM's music and programming. After taking everything into consideration and putting success aside, it was clear things had to change in order for Highland FM to survive and flourish," he said.

Assessing Highland FM in January 2020, Adam said change was necessary.

"So the changes began with enough positive support among the majority of our presenters to overcome the difficulties of embracing change.

"However, we were unaware of the challenges that lay ahead in the aftermath of the bushfires and Covid-19."

While Adam may have had limited experience in radio at the time, he formed a strong team with "standout talent".

"This formidable team, from the start, brought a new confidence to the presenters and members. In reality, Highland FM has so much talent from which we can draw, a goldmine unearthed," he said.

Since January 2020, Highland FM has been run by a management team.

Along with Adam as station and marketing manager, there has been an operations manager, production manager, training manager and IT manager.

He said the station now looked at how it could assist in providing community awareness and work with relevant community groups for the common good.

Highland FM has formed various community partnerships in areas of media, health, mental health, chambers of commerce and retail sectors.

"We also support the arts, local music industry and live gigs and are now being sought to assist with local events, community and government initiatives," Adam said.

The station maintained all programs, broadcasting in-studio throughout Covid-19 restrictions with a skeleton crew.

"The standard in presenting with the smaller, tighter group improved so dramatically that it set a new standard for returning presenters," Adam said.

"How nice it is to anonymously walk into local businesses and hear our Highland FM on air."

In March 2020, Highland FM also joined the iHeart radio platform which extended its reach and helped promote the Southern Highlands as a tourist destination.

Highland FM Facebook's following has grown and with the help of the Community Broadcasting Association Australia, the station has launched a new website.

In September the station completed a total rebranding with a new logo and website, signage and decals.

And while the Highlands station has enjoyed plenty of success in 2020, Adam said there was always room for improvement.

"It is important that we remain agile, always ready to respond to opportunities and change.

"Highland FM will continue to proactively seek to assist and engage with our community. We will strive to maintain our professionalism and leading position.

For us, many hearts make light work......Highland FM 107.1 'Heart of the Highlands'."

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