Latest Edition Spring 2013 - National Ethnic and Multicultural ...

Around the StationsStudent Xpress3ZZZ’s Student Xpress project has beenawarded the 2013 NSW ParliamentMulticultural Media Award for Contributionto Social Inclusion and Multiculturalism. Thisseries was broadcast around Australia earlierthis year on the Community Radio Network.Student Xpress is an eight-part radio seriesfocusing on the lives of international students inAustralia.The series reported that many international studentslive below the poverty line in Australia. Full-timestudents can work a maximum of 20 hours a week,many students earn below the minimum wage, someearning as low as $5 an hour. Because of the high costof rent many students live in overcrowded housing.Orientation week is not enough to help guide younginternational students. International students are awayfrom their usual support networks, they are awayfrom their families their culture, and some are hearingAustralian English for the first time. They need helpopening bank accounts, learning our transport system,understanding Australian culture and finding a place tolive.From left Hon. Shaoquett Moselmane, Reporters Hien MinhDinh and Edgar Tan, Tony Burke Minister Immigration, JanSmith Executive Producer Student XpressMost students said once they made connections withlocally born students their lives improved dramatically.Not only did they feel more part of Australia and lesslonely, their English improved and they were able toaccess higher paying jobs.Student Xpress was made with a grant from the CBF,its purpose was to give broadcasting skills to youngpeople from Non-English Speaking Backgrounds(NESB) and at the same time have a program outputthat represented a minority group in Australia.The Student Xpress team members were: AshanSiriwardene, Santiago Santos, Hien Ming Ding, EdgarTan, Juan Miranda and Mary Sobredo, ExecutiveProducer/Trainer Jan Smith. The CBAA are planningto repeat the Student Xpress over summer.Jan SmithStudent Xpress Executive Producer/TrainerDutch Radio 3ZZZMay 2011, its 7.58 am in the morning. I amsitting with headphones on in the studio,waiting until it’s exactly 8:00 am and wonderingwhat exactly will happen over the next hour.I discover that what does happen is a lot ofDutch music, announcing events and readingads for sponsors. Oh, and laughing a lot sincesometimes things can go wrong when live to airbroadcasting (just don’t tell anyone!).My first show as a guest of Dutch radio 3ZZZ wasa fun experience. Ena Lewis invited me to come to ashow and to talk about myself and my experience ofliving in Australia as a Dutchie. If you would have toldme that about a year later I would be sitting in thesame spot and inviting my own guests, I don’t think Iwould have believed you.September 2013 – Many shows and early morningslater, I am part of a new generation of volunteersfor the Dutch radio on 3ZZZ. The original group ofvolunteers who have been hosting shows for manyyears are convenor Ena Lewis, deputy convenor TimTimmermans, Harry Lijnders and Ron Nolte. Thanksto them there is a Dutch group still going strong!My task is to search for new enthusiastic volunteerswho would also like to be a broadcaster themselves. Ihave been lucky to have found a couple of great peoplein Gerda Vellinga and Maarten Janssen (see picture).Together we have been joining forces to recruit newmembers, raise money for the Radiothon and hostingfun shows live on air. Or as the Dutch call it uniquely:‘gezellig’.We have also started a page on Facebook, search for‘Dutchies in Melbourne Radio 3ZZZ’ and our ownemail address 3zzzdutchiesinmelbourneradio@gmail.com – so feel free to send us a message!The Dutch group hosts shows twice a week onMondays from 4 pm to 5 pm and Fridays from 8 am to9 am. You can listen live tuning into 92.3FM or throughlive streaming on the website www.3zzz.com.au.Shows stay on the website until a week after the liveshow. For more information on us: www.3zzz.com.au/program-guide/dutch/1379952000/Anne-MarijeDutch RadioThe Ethnic Broadcaster -Spring 2013 - 21