2RDJ-FM is a

community radio Community radio is a radio service offering a third model of radio broadcasting in addition to commercial broadcasting, commercial and public broadcasting. Community broadcasting, Community stations serve geographic communities and communities o ...

station based in Burwood and broadcasts to the

Inner West The Inner West of Sydney is an area directly west of the Sydney central business district, New South Wales, Australia. The suburbs that make up the Inner West are predominantly located along the southern shore of Port Jackson (Parramatta River) ...

suburbs of

Sydney Sydney is the capital city of the States and territories of Australia, state of New South Wales and the List of cities in Australia by population, most populous city in Australia. Located on Australia's east coast, the metropolis surrounds Syd ...

. 2RDJ-FM aims to provide a local voice for and to promote Sydney's Inner West through open access to the community of their own broadcasting facilities. The station also aims to provide a mix of entertainment, information, news and training opportunities that reflects the community's needs and interests.

History

The original idea of establishing a community radio station was formulated in 1975 by Vince Murray, Warwick Madden, Kent & Dorothy Broadhead. After a proposal paper was written, a steering committee was set up. The first public meeting was held at the Burwood

Public Library A public library is a library, most often a lending library, that is accessible by the general public and is usually funded from public sources, such as taxes. It is operated by librarians and library paraprofessionals, who are also Civil servic ...

on 15 October 1975 where office-bearers were elected. It was found that there was no provision in the then ''Broadcasting and Television Act'' for the issuing of community broadcasting licences. The members of 2RDJ-FM Community Radio set about lobbying the

federal government A federation (also called a federal state) is an entity characterized by a political union, union of partially federated state, self-governing provinces, states, or other regions under a #Federal governments, federal government (federalism) ...

to prove the necessity and practical benefits of public broadcasting. But they met with no success. During this period the

Community Broadcasting Association of Australia The Community Broadcasting Association of Australia (CBAA) is the peak body and the national representative organisation for community radio and television stations in Australia. The CBAA provide leadership, advocacy and support for members to ac ...

was founded. The CBAA brought all aspiring

public broadcasting Public broadcasting (or public service broadcasting) is radio, television, and other electronic media outlets whose primary mission is public service with a commitment to avoiding political and commercial influence. Public broadcasters receive f ...

groups under the one umbrella, in the process creating a

lobby group Lobbying is a form of advocacy, which lawfully attempts to directly influence legislators or government officials, such as regulatory agencies or judiciary. Lobbying involves direct, face-to-face contact and is carried out by various entities, in ...

that had greater influence. Between 1975 and 1982 2RDJ-FM carried out a number of test transmissions. The first

studios A studio is a space set aside for creative work of any kind, including art, dance, music and theater. The word ''studio'' is derived from the , from , from ''studere'', meaning to Wiktionary:study, study or zeal. Types Art The studio o ...

were two that were already established within the home of Kent & Dorothy Broadhead at 6 Riverview Street Cabarita (Sydney) NSW. The first test transmission involved the volunteer members of the radio station themselves assembling and erecting an FM mast in the

backyard A backyard, or back yard (known in the United Kingdom as a back garden or just garden), is a Yard (land), yard at the back of a house, common in suburban developments in the Western world. It is typically a residential garden located at the ...

. In early 1979 the station moved into the newly restored Woodstock Centre of Community in Church Street, Burwood NSW. The studios were official opened by The Right Hon Sir William McMahon G.C.M.G., C.H., M.P., Federal Member for Lowe, on 1 December 1979. In 1982 the then Minister for Communications

Ian Sinclair Ian McCahon Sinclair (born 10 June 1929) is an Australian former politician who served as a Member of Parliament for 35 years, and was leader of the National Party from 1984 to 1989. He served as either a minister or opposition frontbencher ...

toured the Burwood area during election campaigning. The

Mayor In many countries, a mayor is the highest-ranking official in a Municipal corporation, municipal government such as that of a city or a town. Worldwide, there is a wide variance in local laws and customs regarding the powers and responsibilitie ...

of Burwood, Alderman Phillip Taylor invited Mr Sinclair on a tour of the Woodstock Centre, which included an inspection of the 2RDJ-FM studios. Mr Sinclair was informed about the plight of aspirant public broadcasters being unable to apply for a full-time broadcast licence. A few months later a notice appeared in the

Sydney Morning Herald ''The Sydney Morning Herald'' (''SMH'') is a daily tabloid newspaper published in Sydney, Australia, and owned by Nine Entertainment. Founded in 1831 as the ''Sydney Herald'', the ''Herald'' is the oldest continuously published newspaper in ...

calling for applications for nine ''C Class Public Broadcasting Licences'' in the

metropolitan area. Following a public hearing on 5 September 1982 the then

Australian Broadcasting Tribunal The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) is an Government of Australia, Australian government statutory authority within the Department of Communications and the Arts, Communications portfolio. ACMA was formed on 1 July 2005 wit ...

granted a licence to 2RDJ-FM to serve the

suburbs of Sydney. During the following fourteen months a 100-foot mast was erected adjacent to the Woodstock building and the studios and equipment were upgraded. After many test runs, 2RDJ-FM went to air at 7:00am on 5 November 1983.

Current

2RDJ-FM broadcasts around 80 hours a week of locally produced programs, supplemented by content from the CBAA National Program stream. The station has two studios, each fully capable of live-to-air stereo broadcasts. Broadcast power is currently 100 watts ERP with the entire station, transmitter, and antenna mast co-located in the Woodstock Building, Burwood. The station also delivers its programs worldwide via the internet 24/7 on www.radio2rdj.com. The station is funded mainly through sponsorship contributions, member subscriptions, and occasional grants and donations. 2RDJ-FM normally operates four or five outside broadcasts (OBs) each year, in support of (Sydney) Inner West community events such as fairs, local Council festivals, and carnivals. Special programs produced live at these OBs replace normal weekend programming and allow the community to meet 2RDJ personalities. 2RDJ-FM is proud to have several highly popular voices among its presenter line-up including June Donovan, John Elwell, John Dale, Neil Lithgow, Rob Langley, and Bryan Vaughan, Audrey Wacks, and James Williams, as well as the ethnic program presenters including th
Ireland Calling
crew led by Catherine Crosse, and Tina King-Garde. 2RDJ-FM's program schedule is available on the station's website.

Programming

The station'
current programs
cover diverse music styles from

jazz Jazz is a music genre that originated in the African-American communities of New Orleans, Louisiana, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Its roots are in blues, ragtime, European harmony, African rhythmic rituals, spirituals, h ...

, classic pop and rock, ethnic music, dance, and show music. All music programs aim for at least 30% Australian content (except ethnic shows). Most programs feature community news and some contain interviews. A few programs are broadcast by specialist interest groups or in languages other than English. Weekday programs are 'bookended' by a Breakfast show (7-9 am) and a popular Drive show (5-7 pm). Occasional slots are filled by the CBAA National Program

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:2RDJ-FM Radio stations in Sydney Community radio stations in Australia 2RDJ-FM

History

Current

Programming

See also

References

External links