The combined force of the two Canberra FM radio stations and “the enormous generosity of local Canberra families and businesses” raised $132,000 for victims of the Canberra bushfires in a radiothon.
The Radiothon began at 8am on Friday 31 January and ended that afternoon at 5pm on MIX 106.3 and FM104.7.
A number of local and national celebrities and government officials, including the ACT Chief Minister Mr John Stanhope and the leader of the opposition Simon Crean, supported the Radiothon where all funds raised will go to the Canberra Bushfire Recovery Appeal.
General Manager of Canberra FM Radio Mr Tony O’Regan told radioinfo: “The generosity and good-will we have seen through the radiothon and other local activity is truly inspiring. We had big businesses donating big dollars and small children donating their pocket money which proved the spirit of giving was alive at all levels”.
The stations kick started the tally by throwing in $10,000. By midday Canberra FM had raised $50 000 with the tally climbing swiftly to $132,000 by the end of the day.
O’Regan said: “The power of radio and the enormous impact we can have on our community has certainly been highlighted not only to our listeners but the 60 employees who share combined pride in our radiothon and the information we have provided to our listeners”.
In other followup from the devestating Canberra bushfires, some Canberra talk announcers have been training in counselling techniques so that they can be more effective in supporting their talkback callers.
The Canberra community will hold a special ceremony this Valentine’s Day to thank the volunteer bushfire fighters for their courageous work, and sport stars including Kieren Perkins have visited school children from the worst-hit suburbs of Duffy and Rivett to show their support. Locals in the ravaged suburbs were last week hosting street parties to show solidarity and thank their neighbours for their support.
On air at the talk stations, the ‘thank-you’ sentiments have also been mixed with discussions of ‘why’ and ‘who is to blame.’
Canberra residents interviewed by radioinfo unreservedly praised Canberra’s radio stations for their quick and supportive coverage, and unanimously criticised the television coverage for lacking any significant coverage or local content during the crisis. Two out of the four Canberra TV stations do not broadcast a local Canberra news bulletin. ABC TV brought forward the launch of its new Canberra TV bulletin by a week to cover the fires, but was also criticised for not interrupting network programs more often during the worst hours to broadcast local warnings and advisories.