Amajor fundraiser to benefit the Millicent community radio station 5THE FM has been hailed a success with thousands of dollars raised in raffles and admittance fees.

The station presented a Spicks and Specks themed Quiz Night at the Millicent War Memorial Civic and Arts Centre on Friday with local musician and 5THE FM presenter Jack Lane as the host.

Based on the popular ABC quiz show of the same name, there was four hours of fun and frivolity for the record attendance of 280.

For the first time ever in Millicent, some participants had to be placed on the stage.

General music knowledge was tested such as the date of birth of late British performer David Bowie with announcer Craig Press collecting a prize.

Among the other tasks were listening to songs being played backwards, naming pre-concert requisites of performers and coded band names.

5THE FM board of management chairman David Walshaw thanked the local businesses who had donated goods and prizes as well as Mr Lane, the judges and other helpers on the night.

Mr Walshaw said the community station had made outstanding progress in less than a year.

“Back in November before the current management committee took control, we had only one presenter on two-hours-per-week and $200,000 of debt,” Mr Walshaw said.

“We have retired our outstanding debt and now have 18 presenters across the seven days of every week.

“Sponsors have returned to 5THE FM and new ones have been added.

“The money raised at the quiz night will go towards renovating our studios.

“We have had two consoles donated by Radio Triple M and this will enable people to phone in and speak on-air as well as multiple microphones in the studio.

“We are also wanting to have ethnic broadcasting again and with people from diverse backgrounds such as India and Africa.”

“Our next major fundraiser will be on November 18 as we are again presenting a live music concert in the grounds of the railway station dubbed ‘Rock the Rails’.

“The line-up will be announced soon.”