“Everything will pass, and the world will perish but the Ninth Symphony will remain”
– Michael Bakunin
A Lasting Legacy
2MBS Fine Music Sydney started as 2MBS-FM in 1974, the first FM radio station in Australia.
The beginnings were humble – only 15 volunteers and a transmitter that was constructed with little more than $300 in the bank. For well over 47 years, Fine Music has broadcast great music 24 hours a day – on FM, more recently on digital and online, and now through our Radio on Demand platform. In the process, a Fine Music family has developed and grown – at any one time comprising 250+ volunteers, thousands of donors and subscribers, and hundreds of thousands of listeners – a family that serves as a conduit for the development of Sydney’s fine music culture.
Fine music is a vitally important part of our culture – bringing the ability to relax, entertain, excite, move and inspire us. As one of the great products of Western civilisation, we believe its preservation and continued creation are important both for us today and as a legacy for future generations.
Operating a radio station, even one that is volunteer-operated, requires substantial expenditure.
As a not-for-profit organisation operating under a community broadcast licence, the scope to raise commercial revenue is limited and government support is almost non-existent. As such we rely on the generosity and support of our listeners, in the form of subscriptions, donations and bequests.
Throughout our history bequests have facilitated significant strides forward, funding;
- Radio infrastructure, including studio technology and our transmitter tower on top of the Governor Phillip building in the city
- Recording and broadcast of concerts from Sydney’s leading arts companies
- Awards and scholarships for young performers and composers
- Purchase of a grand piano for our performance studio
- The construction of our library to house a 20,000+ CD collection
Your bequest can be vital to the continuation of the work we do, broadcasting the music we all love and value. During this time of great cultural change in our society, the free availability of great music is more important than ever for us, and for future generations.
Financing a Fine Music Future
Wills and Bequests
A Will is an important legal document that ensures that after death, your wishes are protected and efficiently implemented. In Australia, if a person dies without a Will they are said to die “intestate” and the distribution of their assets is controlled by the Public Trustee. Intestacy may result in the assets not being distributed as intended.
A bequest is an instruction given within a Will that reserves part or all of an estate for a specific beneficiary. For example, a gift in the form of a bequest can be made to FIne Music Sydney to use at its discretion, or for a specific purpose.
Leaving a Bequest
It is recommended that you seek legal advice on the structure of your Will from a solicitor, trustee company or the Public Trustee and inform your family of your intentions.
In the event that you already have a Will drafted, it is possible to make amendments to the Will in the form of a Codicil, which alters the terms of the Will to reflect your new intentions. If you have yet to draft your Will or are planning to update it, we hope you will consider leaving a bequest for Fine Music Sydney. The direct impact that is achieved through your gift will leave a lasting legacy.
The wording of your Bequest
You should consult your solicitor or professional advisor. However, we recommend the following wording:
“I give to the Music Broadcasting Society of New South Wales Co-operative Limited (ABN 64 379 540 010), for its general purposes (the whole) or (a specific amount or gift) or (a percentage) or (the residue) of my estate free of all duties for which a receipt from the Secretary or other authorised person will be sufficient discharge for the executor.”
Recognition
Upon receiving your gift, your bequest will be recognised publicly in our monthly magazine and on our website, unless you have specified your wish to remain anonymous.
Bequests of $10,000 or more are inscribed on a permanent Memorial Honour Board at the station. Naming opportunities also exist for very substantial bequests.
Please contact us by phone on 02 9439 4777 or complete the form below to request a Fine Music Sydney Bequest information pack, or to advise us that a bequest to 2MBS Fine Music is included in your will. Your privacy will always be respected.