Project name – Keep the News Local and Keep it Coming

The purpose of this grant will allow Sta Fm to employ a local news journalist to support the Inverell and surrounding communities with daily local news as well as a regular segment on preparedness and resilience to the impacts of drought. 

By employing a journalist Sta Fm will be able to record news programs focused on drought preparedness. This will also include interviews with service providers such as Landcare, HealthWise, local government, Local Aboriginal Land Council and Local Land Services. There will be hosted interviews with support staff and organisations covering topics such as drought resilience planning and community consultations, climate smart initiatives, access to Rural Assistance Authority and Rural Mental Health initiatives such as HealthWise’s comic relief events.

Interviews will be broadcast on Sta Fm and also available free online at the Sta Fm website or via free apps – ‘Radio Garden’ and ‘I Heart Radio’. In addition to this dedicated segment, the journalist will also be preparing local news items to be included in the news bulletins each weekday. These news items will promote information sharing and including upcoming events focusing on drought preparedness, field days, farm assistance funding, social connection events to strengthen networks in rural localities and opportunities to engage in drought planning initiatives such as resilience planning.

The broadcast area of Sta Fm has more than 10% of the population who identify as First Nations People. The journalist position will also be responsible for developing news stories which will include stories focused on First Nations people and Closing the Gap initiatives working with representatives from the Local Aboriginal Land Council, organisations supporting the Aboriginal community such as Local Land Services and the active Aboriginal Corporation in the area. Our goal is to build the Community Spirit to ensure segments reflect the diversity and composition of our broadcast footprint and this includes engaging First Nations People and sharing their stories.

A big thank you must also go out to a local Inverell business – “Ladybug Projects” who helped to facilitate this grant for Sta Fm.