Radio Skid Row

Last updated

Radio Skid Row
Broadcast area Inner West Sydney
Frequency 88.9 MHz FM
Programming
Format Community radio
Ownership
OwnerRadio Skid Row Ltd
History
First air date
10 August 1983
Technical information
Transmitter coordinates
33°52′23″S151°12′20″E / 33.87306°S 151.20556°E / -33.87306; 151.20556
Links
Website radioskidrow.org

Radio Skid Row (callsign 2RSR; 88.9 FM) is a community radio station based in Marrickville, broadcasting to the Inner West suburbs of Sydney, Australia.

Contents

History

Radio Skid Row (2RSR) was established by a group of welfare workers and licensed as a community broadcaster in September 1983, with the intention of broadcasting to marginalised groups such as Indigenous Australians, environmentalists, queer people, the Communist Party of Australia, and migrant workers. [1] It was originally broadcast from the University of Sydney, and gave 10 hours of air time per week to Radio Redfern. [2] [3]

The station was described as "serv[ing] as an incubator for many artists who would go on to do interesting things". John Garland, who ran the prisoners' request show, moved to 2MBS Fine Music Sydney in 1991, where he presented experimental music. The program Wake Up and Listen also moved to 2MBS, with Gail Priest and Adrian Bertram. Lucas Abela (aka Justice Yeldham) started his career at Skid Row, on the "graveyard shift". [4]

Colin Hesse hosted the Thursday morning show Close to Home for over ten years before retiring in May 2024. He was also active in local politics, as a representative of the Australian Greens on both the former Marrickville Council and the Inner West Council. He was known for his long-form interviews and bringing out deeper perspectives on issues. [5]

Today

Skid Row Radio is situated in Addison Road, Marrickville, [6] and broadcasts to the Inner West suburbs of Sydney.

Apart from broadcasting, like many community radio stations, it provides equipment, time in a recording studio, training and mentoring a diverse group of broadcasters, including African Australians. [7]

See also

References

  1. "About Us". RADIO SKID ROW – 88.9FM. Retrieved 25 December 2024.
  2. "Radio Redfern". Barani. City of Sydney . Retrieved 25 December 2024.
  3. Fisher, D. (2016). The Voice and Its Doubles: Media and Music in Northern Australia. Duke University Press. p. 163. ISBN   978-0-8223-7442-8 . Retrieved 25 December 2024.
  4. Priest, Gail (2009). Experimental Music: Audio Explorations in Australia. Australia Council Music Book Series. UNSW Press. p. 100. ISBN   978-1-921410-07-9 . Retrieved 25 December 2024.
  5. Hesse, Colin (10 May 2024). "Wide Open Road: In conversation with Colin Hesse". City Hub (Interview). Interviewed by Mordue, Mark. Retrieved 25 December 2024.
  6. "Contact". RADIO SKID ROW – 88.9FM. Retrieved 25 December 2024.
  7. Budarick, J.; Han, G.S. (2017). Minorities and Media: Producers, Industries, Audiences. Palgrave Macmillan UK. ISBN   978-1-137-59631-4.