As well as the Farmhand Appeal (see Farmhand Drought story), many radio stations are doing their part in assisting listeners in drought affected areas to get through the bad times in one way or another. radioinfo spoke to some of them.
THE JOHN LAWS SHOW
John Laws show producer Stuart Bocking told radioinfo about how the Laws show has been covering the drought for the past eight months:
“John was a Jackaroo years ago, so he feels for people on the land during drought. He has been following this since things started to get bad months ago,” said Bocking. “In the past month he started the ‘Keeping the Dream Alive’ foundation – auctioning off dinners and prizes and accepting donations from listeners. When the foundation was formally begun we also got some big donations from John’s sponsors, such as Toyota.”
The Foundation has now raised close to half a million dollars in the three weeks since it formally began. “A couple of weekends ago John and I went to Cobar, which was identified as one of the worst hit drought areas by the Rural Lands Protection Board, and we distributed about 8 truck loads of grain for stock feed, which we were able to buy with the donations. John also spoke to listeners who came to a Sunday BBQ (pictured) and their reaction to his efforts was great…”
As well as hard times for the sheep and cattle we also saw many emus close to town – it’s a sure sign things are bad when emus and roos come into town searching for feed. Donations are still being made and we will have to decide what to do with the second round of funds soon.”
The ‘Keeping the Dream Alive Foundation’ is a fully registered charitable foundation which is currently sending out receipts to donors who want to claim their donations back on tax. Bocking spoke of the generosity of listeners: “One old guy from Queensland went without his beer money for a week and sent us $20, that is the kind of spirit the listeners have towards those in need.”
radioinfo: Have you been covering it on air? Bocking: “Yes, lots of talkback and interviews over the past few months. Today for instance John spoke to Simon Crean about it.”
ABC RADIO
ABC Local radio covers all of Australia with its metro and regional stations and is also playing an important part in supporting drought affected listeners. radioinfo spoke to the ABC’s National Rural Editor Shane Mahony:
radioinfo: ABC radio stations cover all Australia’s drought areas and are probably the most important source of information programming for farmers. How is the drought affecting your listeners?
SM: Anecdotal feedback is that radio listeners on farms or in rural business are spending more time listening to the radio during the day, as they intrinsically have more down-time. During drought agricultural and business activity slows (no crops to spray, fewer customers etc).
Also during periods such as this critical information, such as weather and commodity prices, become more important. Every bit counts, incrementally every drop of rain or every extra dollar cost or return makes an even bigger difference. During a drought the radio becomes a vital link in connecting the community ”
radioinfo: Can a radio station really play any role in helping people at times like this?
SM: “Radio plays a vital role in times such as drought in a number of ways:
1. Continuing to provide critical weather and market information. Just as importantly in times of change or stress the audience is reassured that not ‘everything’ has changed, a bit of the ‘at least the ABC is still there’ factor.
2. Connecting the community. Making producers and business aware of assistance or support that’s available. It may be drought meetings, feeding livestock or business advice meetings that are being held. Another part of this community connection is by discussing how individuals and community’s are coping with the challenges of drought (this can be technical or emotional).
3. This issue of recognition is paramount. The station needs to recognise there is a drought. Individuals and the community gains moral support from knowing their story is being told elsewhere around the country. They then feel they are not battling on their own.
4. Maintaining ‘morale’. While always telling it how it is accurately and with sensitivity, it is important to provide a balance of programming which is not all ‘doom and gloom’. There are always solutions to problems, always people who are getting by – it’s important to present those angles in the programming mix. Country people have a great capacity for laughter and humour even in the face of adversity – reflecting that back to a local community is an important role.”
radioinfo: How have ABC Local Radio stations been covering the drought?
SM: “ABC Rural has been producing extensive drought coverage through Country Hour (12.00 weekdays) and Rural Report (06.40 to 06.55 weekdays). Radio National’s Bush Telegraph and Country Breakfast have also consistently carried news and feature items on the drought situation since the end of autumn.
Regional based Rural Reporters have been particularly active attending agricultural field days and meetings. In badly effected drought regions, Rural Reporters have presented their morning Rural Report segment live from in the field. The NSW Country Hour spent last week in the severely effected western NSW pastoral region, presenting the program live from homesteads and a field day. The Victorian Country Hour plans to do the same in the states north in two weeks time.
This increased ‘external activity’ serves two key roles – conveying the situation and providing moral support to the individual and community – the ABC understands and cares enough to be here.”
radioinfo: Are your stations doing anything else to assist?
SM: “ABC Rural is currently investigating the possibility of public events to provide moral support. A special drought assistance information web site will come online shortly”.
radioinfo: Has it affected the stations or their staff in other ways?
SM: “This is an issue we are acutely aware of. Constantly reporting on the personal hardship and cost of drought can take its toll on regional based teams. These journalists and presenters live in the community they are reporting on. They see the situation when the drive home, they meet the people affected in the street.”
radioinfo: What do farmers need (besides rain) to keep going at times like this? “
SM: As I mentioned above, recognition and moral support from the greater Australian community will be important to the farm sector over the next 12 months. It’s important to note that the real impact of this drought is yet to be felt. As a result of a number of good seasons, improved drought preparedness and the current high commodity prices, many farmers are coping with the current situation. The real crunch will come next year, when they would normally have recovered the grain or wool cheque. Without crops to harvest or sheep to shear, next year will be very very tough indeed, unless there is a break to the season.”
Triple j breaking the music drought
As well as including serious content, Triple J has also taken an entertainment angle on the drought. “It s been a hot, dry year in drought-affected areas of Australia. Triple J can’t make it rain – but were keen to help,” says the station.
Through October Triple J is going to “Break The Music Drought” with a massive national competitiopn. If you’re in a drought affected area, Triple J wants to hear from you!
Triple J, 28 Days and Machine Gun Fellatio are heading to a drought-affected town to try to make enough noise to shake the rain from the sky. To find out how to be part of Triple J’s action see http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/interactive/drought.htm
Narrowcaster doing its bit
Ben Shields P.D. of Aussie FM Country Music Radio and Western Visitor Radio and a Dubbo City Councillor told radioinfo:
“Western Visitor Radio using it’s Aussie FM Country Music Radio Station in Dubbo will be happy to broadcast any community service announcement on the drought appeal in HIGH ROTATION – FREE OF CHARGE.
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