Federal Minister for Communication backs community radio and Geelong’s 94.7 The Pulse.

by Cooper Watkins

On Wednesday morning, October 30^th, Geelong community radio station 94.7 The Pulse welcomed Federal Minister for Communication Michelle Rowland to discuss the importance of community broadcasting.

The morning set up as a greeting for Rowland, in addition to a ‘welcome back’ breakfast for returning station manager Leo Renkin, who has been on long service leave.

The Minister for Communication spent time and shared stories with over fifteen volunteers who attended the breakfast.

Shortly after, Rowland joined Loretta Hart on her program ‘Loretta’s Front Page’ which focuses on news and current affairs with an emphasis on women’s stories and matters that affect them.

Over the course of the fifteen-minute interview in which they were joined by Leo Renkin as well as Federal Member for Corangamite, Libby Coker, the two discussed the strength of community radio and the positive impact 94.7 The Pulse is having in Geelong.

“Where community broadcasting fits in, in this whole ecosystem, is it provides the heavy lifting that is being done on media diversity,” Rowlands said.

“With over 100 hours of unique, local and community focused content being researched, created and aired each week we are the place our community can hear their issues and stories represented,” Hart stated.

Libby Coker added that with limited media broadcasters in the area, The Pulse provides a strong and vibrant platform for community leaders to discuss issues.

“If you want to have an in-depth interview on an issue, you really need to come to the pulse to do that,” Coker suggested.

In addition, the Minister for Communications praised the station’s ability to connect with its listeners and emphasised why it’s necessary to assist community radio and organisations like 94.7 The Pulse.

“It really does bring people together, and congratulations to The Pulse for clearly doing it so well, you really are the epitome of why we support this sector.”

The continued support of the community broadcasting sector Rowland believes is at the forefront of the current government’s priority list. With tangible funding and resources issued to deliver results.

“This is a government that doesn’t just say we support community broadcasting, we back that up with $23 million in funding, we want to continue to make sure this sector remains strong… We want to be judged on our delivery,” Rowland stated.