The ABC has announced its Geelong
Radio in Residency initiative will
launch in March bringing a month-long focus on Victoria's largest regional city.
The
residency was planned for last October but due
to COVID-19 was pushed back to this year.
ABC Radio Melbourne presenters including Virginia Trioli, Sammy J, Jacinta Parsons, Raf Epstein, Matt Preston and Lisa
Leong will broadcast from the pop-up studio in the heart
of the city at Deakin University's Waterfront campus, bolstering regional coverage from the existing ABC News Geelong bureau.
ABC Radio Melbourne Local Manager Dina Rosendorff said the Geelong
Radio-in Residency was part of a
long-term commitment to tell stories from the city and surrounding region.
"The
relationships we'll build in the Geelong region will further strengthen our connection with the local community. We're
looking forward to hearing from the region's residents about the issues and topics that matter most to them," she said. "It's a great way to kick off our celebrations for the ABC's 90th anniversary."
City
of Greater Geelong Deputy Mayor
Trent Sullivan said this was a valuable opportunity to share more diverse stories from the region.
"As one of
Australia's fastest growing regional cities, it's great that Greater Geelong's local stories and topics will
begetting more coverage," Deputy Mayor Sullivan said.
"This is a valuable opportunity to
share a wide range of stories and journeys from our community, who are the best part of our fantastic region."
Deakin
Vice-Chancellor, Professor lain
Martin said the partnership was an exciting opportunity to provide listeners with engaging and relevant content that would 'spread
the word' about the innovation happening at the university and in the community.
"There are so many untold stories when it comes to amazing work being done at Deakin and in Geelong. As more of these stories reach listeners, it will undoubtedly further strengthen Victoria's position as the nation's skills and innovation capital," Professor Martin said.
Deakin's
Executive Dean, Faculty of Arts and Education, Professor Vanessa Lemm said the initiative would also provide opportunities for students to work closely with journalists, production teams, researchers and industry.
"It is so important for students to get workplace experience during
their studies. This is a high priority in our course design at Deakin because students need to apply the skills
they learn in a real-life setting. These kinds of experiences
are just so valuable for their development and preparing them for
their future careers," Professor Lemm said.
The
ABC's temporary pop-up radio headquarters will be located on the corner of Cunningham
St and Western Beach Rd, overlooking Corio Bay. The space has been provided by Deakin University's School of Creative Arts.
Popular ABC Radio Melbourne programs and presenters will
broadcast live from the studio, including Walkley Award-winning Mornings presenter Virginia Trioli, The Conversation Hour andThe Friday Revue withJacinta Parsons & Brian Nankervis.
ABC's Geelong Radio in Residency programschedule:
Tuesday l March: Mornings with Virginia Trioli, 8.30 - 11am
Friday 4 March: Breakfast with Sammy J - 5.30am-8am
Monday 7 March: The Conversation Hour, 11am -12noon
Saturday 12 March: Matt Preston- Saturday Mornings, lOam-12 noon
Sunday 13 March: Sundays with Lisa Leong - 10am - l2noon
Tuesday 15-Wednesday 16 March: Drive with Raf Epstein- 3.30pm - 6.30pm
Thursday 24 March: Afternoons with Jacinta Parsons - 12.30pm - 3.30pm
Friday 25 March: The Friday Revue - l2.30pm - 3.30pm
Thursday 31 March: The Conversation Hour- 11am - l 2noon
To find out more about the ABC in Geelongas well as updates on Live events visit
abc.net.au/qeelonq