Radju Leħen il-Qala 106.3 FM is the pioneer local radio station in Gozo and has for the last 15 years a standard daily daytime transmission and on several occasions each year has transmitted on a 24-hour schedules with a wide selection of very interesting programmes.

This community radio has made great leaps forward over these years with new studios inaugurated by the Qala Archpriest Canon Dr Joseph Zammit, an ever-growing local, regional, national and international audience, utilizing the most advanced audio technology available - and the most important factor in this picture is that it is managed by Qala youth volunteers who have done a superb job. It is a vital educational tool in the hands of young Qalin and a haven away from street vices and possible problems encountered by them.

Despite being a local radio, Radju Leħen il-Qala holds an audience of thousands of Qalin, Gozitans, and Maltese residing in Gozo and also in Malta and is particularly popular with Qalin migrants in Australia, Canada, England, France, the Unites States of America and Wales by means of webcasting and now visually through the newly installed camera branching out views of not only St. Joseph Square but also 28th April 1688 and Conception Streets. Both the Australian-Qala Association and the American-Qala Association have a special relationship with this radio since it serves as ‘an invisible bridge’ between Qala, Australia and the United States where 2,800 Qalin live.

Congratulations to the Station Coordinator, Ivan Cefai, the station board and the many volunteers that have dedicated many hours becoming part of this success story. An appeal to those who wish to contribute towards the expenses of the radio, can contact the station to give donations at: Radju Leħen il-Qala, 24 St Francis Street, Qala or call on 2155-8556; e-mail [email protected] or on the newly launched www.radjulehenil-qala.com. Keep up the good work and Happy Birthday Radju Leħen il-Qala.

■ Dr Raymond C. XERRI

Deputy Mayor of Qala