Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien and Cherbourg Radio co-ordinator Michael Monk outside the studios in Cherbourg on Tuesday morning

October 9, 2018

Cherbourg Council has taken over responsibility for the town’s radio station following a $580,000 investment by the Federal Government.

Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien visited the Council offices and station studios on Tuesday to confirm the grant.

Station co-ordinator Michael Monk told southburnett.com.au the town’s favourite announcers would back on air on either Monday or Tuesday next week.

Chrissy Bond will be returning to do the breakfast shift and Harold “Big Chance” Chapman will back in the afternoon and for his popular “night jams”.

A morning matinee program is also planned followed by “Talk Black” on relay from North Queensland.

The station will also undergo a minor re-branding, to be known now as Cherbourg Radio 94.1.

Indigenous Affairs Minister Nigel Scullion thanked Council and Mr O’Brien for their hard work and strong advocacy to bring back the much-loved and needed service.

“Indigenous broadcasting services provide much more than a radio service. They contribute to strengthening culture, community development and the local economy and I thank the Cherbourg Aboriginal Shire Council for stepping up to deliver this important service for the benefit of the Cherbourg and wider South Burnett region,” Mr Scullion said.

Mr O’Brien said he was delighted to see the radio service continue.

“Regional and Indigenous communities know just how important it is to have their own stories and voices on the airwaves and especially want to know that there will always be local news and local content when they turn on their radio,” Mr O’Brien said.

“The reinstatement of this Indigenous broadcasting service will not only deliver local employment for media professionals, but will once again keep the community informed and facilitate sharing of Indigenous culture, news and events.”

The funding is part of a $63 million investment by the Federal Government over three years to support 120 Indigenous broadcasting services across Australia.


 

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