In a first for the ABC, Radio National and local radio link up today to simulcast from the remote western NSW town of Wilcannia during NAIDOC week.

RN’s ‘Life Matters’ and ABC Broken Hill’s ‘Outback Outlook’ will take their audiences to the heart of what Wilcannia residents describe as one of Australia’s most maligned towns.

Long portrayed by some national media as dangerous and backward, Wilcannia will explain how the criticism has hurt the area, but has also served as a catalyst for some groundbreaking social programs.

Australian Democrats’ Deputy Leader, Aden Ridgeway, Parliament’s only Aboriginal member, will join hosts, Julie McCrossin and Peter Jinks in Wilcannia’s Telecentre today for the simulcast from 9-11am (EST). Indigenous Affairs’ Minister, Amanda Vanstone, will join the program via satellite.

The show will include excerpts from a public forum yesterday in Wilcannia, moderated by Central Darling Shire Council General Manager, Bill O’Brien, and co-chaired by McCrossin and Jinks. p>

The forum has been the town’s first public opportunity, through the ABC, to respond nationally to its detractors.

Today’s simulcast will profile Wilcannia’s strengths, weaknesses and prospects, reflecting many of the same challenges confronting other similar, predominantly indigenous communities throughout Australia. Spiritual, professional and civic representatives will join political leaders during the two hour program in an open and unprecedented debate about the town’s future.

Radio National and local radio will combine resources to reflect, to as wide an audience as possible, the struggles and successes of a frontline outback community.

The simulcast, to be heard on Radio National and ABC Far West, Central West and Western Plains in NSW, is also aimed at adding to national awareness of the significance of NAIDOC week to all Australians.