Disadvantaged Young People Takin’ Over Nova!

This Sunday evening (1 August), disadvantaged young people from the Oasis Youth Support Network will take over the studios of Sydney’s top rating FM station, Nova 96.9, with management and staff more than happy to throw open the doors.

Five announcers from Oasis’ groundbreaking radio facility, Streetradio.net, will present a one hour program from 7pm, which has been put together with expert guidance by numerous Nova staff, including morning presenter, Bianca Dye, and General Manager, Mandi Wicks.

The Nova GM says staff volunteered in droves to be part of a special four week course, in which the five Oasis participants were allowed to take the ‘quantum work experience leap’ into the real world of commercial radio in the dog-eat-dog Sydney market.

“These five young presenters – all from disadvantaged, disconnected backgrounds – have responded amazingly to this opportunity. It’s made them even hungrier to pursue a career in commercial radio.

“With Oasis (Salvation Army) doing so much to help homeless and disadvantaged young people to start rebuilding their lives, Nova wanted to put something back into the community and give these kids a break.

“The results are just fantastic. We want Nova listeners to hear the results on Sunday evening from 7pm. The Oasis presenters have promised to give us back our radio station at 8pm!”

Streetradio.net hit the airwaves on Monday 1 March with its first official broadcast, but none of this would have been possible without generous funding and other support from the Sony Foundation.

Oasis Director, Captain Paul Moulds, says the studio offers an innovative response to youth homelessness and disadvantage, giving young people purpose and direction.

“With the Sony Foundation’s support, a dedicated team of volunteer radio industry people built state of the art studios at Oasis’ Surry Hills crisis centre, outfitting it with the latest equipment and technology. There was also strong support from the Australian recording industry.”

Streetradio.net Manager, James McKay, says the station – streamed ‘live’ to air via the internet – provides training and opportunities to disconnected and homeless young people, who never dreamed they could broadcast their own programs and be the ‘voice of youth’.

“Streetradio.net gives these young people the chance to become skilled in all aspects of radio, from research and preparation to interviewing and on air presentation.

“More importantly, it allows them to restore self esteem and confidence, reconnect with the community, and turn their lives around as part of a new journey.

“We have created a website, www.streetradio.net, giving people the means to tune in and find out more information about Streetradio.net and its presenters.

“The feedback has been tremendous. We have listeners around Australia and the world, including the US, UK, Spain, Japan, the Philippines and New Zealand!” McKay said.