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4 December, 2020

Yarrabah's new radio announcers

Eight students from Yarrabah might soon be gracing our airways as radio announcers for Yarrabah Radio 92.9FM after participating in radio training at North Regional TAFE Queensland.


Yarrabah's new radio announcers - feature photo

They have joined Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander trainees from a range of remote Queensland communities in Cairns to receive training that will enable them to pursue exciting media careers.

The Yarrabah students, along with others from Wujal Wujal, Kowanyama, Doomadgee, Lockhart River and Brisbane are currently participating in a two-week block of practical radio training, with three more training blocks to occur in the first half of 2021.

The students are working towards a nationally recognised Certificate III in Media (Radio) by studying at the TAFE campus and also doing practical hands-on training at the Black Star 96.7 Radio Studio, run by Queensland Remote Aboriginal Media (QRAM) in Cairns.

“Students are working towards being announcers in their local community as part of our Black Star FM Radio network that transmits into 19 sites across the Northern Peninsula Area, the Cape, the Gulf of Carpentaria, Cooktown, the Tablelands, Yarrabah and Woorabinda,” said QRAM General manager Candice Siedler-Twine.

“Or they could become one of the media stars of the future in Indigenous or commercial media anywhere in Australia.

“The students are learning highly practical skills such as content gathering, presentation, interviewing and announcing skills as well as learning Australian strict broadcasting regulations.

“They’re also getting a unique chance working with our dedicated and experienced team in the use of specialised studio software and equipment and are receiving work experience in a live studio and a recording of their work to take away with them.”

Mrs Vicki Jones, Director of Community Services at Yarrabah Aboriginal Shire Council said they were excited to officially open the 92.9FM Radio Station at the Yarrabah Knowledge Centre.

“We are excited to bring residents local news, content and interviews under the QRAM Black Star FM banner,” she said.

As part of their training, students will also participate in QRAM’s new Stayin’ eSafe project, which will use radio segments and other resources to address issues like online safety and cyberbullying in remote communities.

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