Radio Interview & Community Display | Ballarat VIC
Thursday: 04 December
On Air in Ballarat: A Morning at Good News Radio
Welcome to the Studio
This morning brought us to the Good News Radio 103.9 FM studio in Ballarat—what an exciting way to start the day! Roger, the anchor for the Breakfast program running from 7 to 9 am, warmly welcomed us and set up the morning’s show. We positioned Bubsie right outside the studio where people walking past could admire the little ledgend, and then Roger invited Kevin and Glenda inside to introduce us as the morning’s special guests.
Breakfast, Bubsie, and Great Conversations
As curious pedestrians stopped to check out the historic piece of art, the wonderful staff at Good News Radio treated everyone to a delicious breakfast spread of pastries and fresh fruit. It was lovely watching visitors enjoy the refreshments while taking in Bubsie’s story.
Meanwhile, Carolyn and Pieter discovered they were kindred spirits—both with experience in FM radio station operations! They spent the morning deep in conversation, swapping stories and insights about the industry. It’s always special when shared passions bring people together like that.
Sharing the Story on the Airwaves
When it came time to wrap up, Kevin gave Roger a special treat—a ride in Bubsie back to the trailer! What a perfect ending to a wonderful morning of sharing our story over the airwaves.
The radio interview proved to be a fantastic way to connect with the Ballarat community. We were thrilled to see quite a few people turn up at our next event, having heard about us on the radio that very morning. There’s something magical about the power of local radio to bring people together!
Hearts and Hands at Soul Plus Food Bank
Setting Up with Care
We arrived at the Soul Plus Food Bank with hearts ready to serve and share Bubsie’s story. The weather forecast warned of strengthening winds, so we wisely decided to forgo the gazebo and keep things simple. As the morning unfolded, we had the joy of chatting with families as they waited to gather the food they needed. Each conversation was a precious opportunity to connect and encourage.
Connections That Warm the Heart
It was absolutely wonderful seeing how our story had touched people! Some people had heard us on the radio that very morning and made the special effort to come visit. Others had been lovingly invited by the amazing Youth Rush team, whose enthusiasm and dedication never cease to inspire us. When these beautiful young people stopped by, we were so grateful to thank them for their incredible work—not just today, but for all the lives they’ve touched. Throughout the day, people kept sharing that they’d been visited by the team and received the book. What a privilege to witness the ripple effect of their kindness!
Bringing Joy to Families
The food bank had created something truly beautiful—a Christmas toy gift area where parents could choose special presents for their children. Watching families select gifts for their little ones during this season brought such warmth to our hearts. These are the moments that remind us why we do what we do.
A Musical Gift
Later in the morning, we received the most delightful surprise—the talented students from Ballarat High School arrived to fill the air with Christmas carols! Their music was absolutely beautiful. The wind added its own touch of excitement to the morning, picking up quite dramatically! When a student’s music sheet went dancing across the car park, we all shared a warm laugh as it was lovingly rescued. These wonderful students kept playing with such joy and smiles on their faces—their enthusiasm was absolutely infectious!
The Bubsie team worked quickly to anchor down their gazebo, but eventually we had take it down before it sailed away. Those remarkable students, showing such heart and determination, played their final songs in the wind and sunshine. Talk about dedication! Before they returned to school, we had the joy of watching the food bank staff present them with bags of treats, and we were honoured to gift one of their teachers a copy of “Bubsie and the Boys.”
Grateful Hearts at Day’s End
As the afternoon wound down and it was time to pack up, we reflected on what an extraordinary day it had been. The food bank had served over 100 people—each one a treasured member of our community. We gently loaded Bubsie back into the trailer, fueled up our vehicles, and made our way back to our caravans.
What a blessing it was to spend the day surrounded by such generosity, music, laughter, and love. Days like these fill our cups and remind us of the beautiful tapestry of community we’re all part of.
