I have had some experience in community radio and I must agree with the business manager of KLFM, Geoff Anderson.

He states that the published result does not give a clear indication of the extent of total radio listenership.

His concern is, of course, that KLFM is not represented in the figures, especially as it does command a significant audience.

There can be no doubt that KLFM is a successful station with a good size audience. It was from its beginning.  

When I was closely associated with the station in 2004 the committee decided to participate in a professionally conducted survey. It was worth the considerable cost.

It revealed that KLFM had very strong support in the region, which surprised many, but not us. It has undoubtedly maintained that position since then.

Likewise, the other community stations are popular with a large section of the people. They all should be included in any proper survey.

I suggest that the three Bendigo community stations, preferably including Castlemaine's Main FM, should combine and pay for their own survey, just as KLFM did over a decade ago. That will settle the question and reveal the true position.

On the subject of successful community radio stations such as KLFM, "success" is judged differently by different groups.

On one hand a station can be judged a success by the number of listeners, its income, paid staff, and the quality of presentation and presenters.

Another station may judge itself successful by the number of volunteers it has and the size and variety of music styles and personnel that go to air.

There is little focus or concern on sponsorship income, presentation quality and audience size. Income comes mainly from subscriptions, government grants and donations.

Many people have the opportunity to enjoy going on air to express their opinions and musical preferences which is otherwise not available to them. Their programming is the scattergun effect.

Success? I suppose success is in the eye of the beholder. There is a place for all types of radio stations and this region has a great choice.

Her brother, her father and her son love her very much and know that as a woman, she faces challenges they don’t: like feeling unsafe walking home at night, or feeling overlooked at work just because she’s a woman.

Or what it’s like to dread going home, thinking “how will he hurt me today?” But it is in their power to acknowledge such a widespread issue, the proof of which is impossible to ignore.

Men need to recognise that a young woman is more likely to be sick or killed as a result of intimate partner violence than as a result of smoking, poor diet or drug use.

Sadly these figures haven’t changed significantly since VicHealth did its first study on the same subject over 10 years ago.

Research tells us this violence starts with inequality between women and men. And every man can do something about that.

On White Ribbon Day and the UN’s International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, it’s important to reflect and acknowledge that violence against women is more likely to occur in contexts of unequal power relationships between men and women.

Working together, we can do so much more to end violence. We can take responsibility for making sure every woman feels safe in her own home, workplace, sports field and community. We can stand up to sexist attitudes and call out disrespect for women when we see it.