About Us
What Is Curtin Radio?
Curtin Radio is a community based network and caters mainly to a mature audience with musical tastes that favour the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s.
It’s a combination of two radio stations broadcasting from the campus of Curtin University.
Both Curtin 100.1FM and Curtin Digital are heard throughout the Perth metropolitan area and on the Internet.
With the help of the World Wide Web the station has a long reach.
We’ve even received emails from people in far-flung places like Ulaanbaatar in Mongolia and Nome, Alaska.
How Did It All Begin?
Curtin FM 100.1, formerly Curtin Radio 927, commenced broadcasting on October 16, 1976 Western Australia’s first public broadcaster.
The station held one of only five special licences granted by the then Minister for the Media, Moss Cass, after he discovered community radio in the US.
The station was then known as 6NR (6 New Radio), and the Western Australian Institute of Technology (WAIT), now Curtin University of Technology, held the licence.
Journalist Duncan Graham was on staff at the School of Journalism at the time. It was Duncan who suggested the University apply for the licence and who became the inaugural station manager.
The station held a special licence, and was responsible for providing training and access time to 37 ethnic radio programs; 25 religious broadcasters; Aboriginal Radio broadcasters and trainees; and Radio for the Print Handicapped. Volunteer presenters produced the station’s programming almost entirely, and producers and volunteers still form the core energy that supports the station.
The station has won many awards and was the first in Australia to officially provide training for Aboriginal cadets, receiving grant funding for the purpose from then Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser.
Curtin FM 100.1′s newsroom also provides formal on the job training for journalism students with Curtin’s School of Media and Information Studies, under the direction of news editor Les Welsh. Over the years, many students have found jobs in the broadcasting industry due to the unique opportunity offered them through this training scheme.
The regulatory body that governs all broadcasters; commercial, public and community sectors is the Australian Communications and Media Authority. Most community stations in Australia belong to the Community Broadcasting Association of Australia, and they adhere to a Community Broadcasters Code of Practice.
What Makes Curtin Radio So Successful?
On Curtin 100.1 FM the blending of 50’s, 60’s and 70’s music has hit the spot with retirees, baby boomers and younger people who have a preference for the great veteran artists.
Enjoying an ever growing audience, CurtinDG appeals to those listeners who want to go a step further with their 50’s and 60’s tastes. The station features a massive helping of the big bands and orchestras, with lush strings and horns that were a mainstay of broadcasting during an earlier time.
Both stations also feature popular artists from the classic hit era.
On 100.1FM, shows are presented by top class announcers; all with a great love of the music and a way of presenting it in a fun and connective way.
Programs are chosen by the presenters and music library staff from a collection that has allowed us to redefine the word…VARIETY.
Why Do We Need Volunteers?
While the voice coming out of the radio might be the most immediate link to your favourite radio station we couldn’t run Curtin Radio without the support of a large number of people.
Volunteers are needed to assist presenters in getting their shows to air and be the first point of contact between the station and its listeners.
Because our volunteers need people skills, good communication and computer abilities (and a great deal of patience), training is provided.
Prospective volunteers who want more information should contact Volunteer Coordinator Rhonda Jackson on 9266 4942 or e mail [email protected], marked: “Attention Rhonda Jackson.”
Our volunteers produce shows, work in the record library, answer listener queries by phone, mail and e-mail, take care of the financials and do countless other tasks.
Do We Ever Call For Radio Presenters?
A couple of times a year, interested people can complete a “Basic Introduction to Radio” short course. Students are invited to the Curtin Radio studios in Bentley where they undertake four Tuesday evening sessions that cover the fundamentals of broadcasting in a modern working radio station.
Successful participants in the course are then asked if they would like to carry on to a comprehensive 13-week evening course which covers the full range of requirements to become a broadcaster. The emphasis is on working in Community Radio.
The comprehensive second course leads to a Broadcast Certificate III – Radio.
Dates for courses will appear on this site.
Enquires should be directed to Keith Taylor on 9266 2121.
Please note: Fees apply.
How Do We Make Our Money?
We run a yearly Radiothon, auction and many other events.
There is also a membership drive in which we ask listeners to pay for special privileges, including personal birthday calls, car sticker and program mailouts and dedicated quizzes and giveaways.
Curtin FM, being a community station also relies heavily on station sponsors to cover operating costs.
We ask our listeners to show support for all our sponsors who are also doing a great job keeping Curtin Radio on the air.
