The Community Broadcasting Association of Australia is currently developing four exciting new communications projects that focus on providing our listeners with important information on issues such as first aid, crime prevention, parenting and relationships, and energy efficiency.

The ‘First Aid Fast’ project has been developed with the support of the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing, and will be launched at the beginning of June. This project will promote a greater understanding of basic first aid, and the steps people should take in the event of an accident, injury or medical emergency. A series of twenty 60-second radio segments will provide listeners with practical information on first aid improving their ability to respond appropriately and quickly when in a situation where they, or someone around them, have been hurt.

In early June, all CBAA member stations will receive a CD copy of the ‘First Aid Fast’ audio, as well as information on the services of St John Ambulance Australia and a copy of a first aid booklet.

The ‘Dry Ground, Strong Families’ has been funded by the Australian Governemnt Department of Families, Community Services and Indigneous Affairs, ans seeks to promote a greater understanding of services and communications strategies families and parents in rural and remote NSW can use to cope with the pressure placed upon them by the drought.

The project will develop a series of eight five-minute and twelve 60-second radio segments providing a large statewide audience with practical examples of how communities and families have kept their relationships strong through the drought, and services families and individuals can access if they are experiencing problems in their relationships or as parents. These audio segments will also be packaged with printed information each month and made available to all all NSW regonal and remote stations.

The ‘Older, Safer and Bolder’ project has been funded by the Australian Government’s National Community Crime Prevention Program, and aims to address the fear of crime amongst older people and increase awareness of crime prevention strategies and support services available to older people in regional communities of New South Wales. In consultation with older people and community services, the project will develop short radio programs covering crime prevention issues and will provide these programs to radio stations in rural and regional New South Wales beginning in July. The project will also produce a resource pack (including an audio CD of the radio programmes and print based information about crime prevention for seniors) and will distribute the packs to community and seniors organisations, crime prevention groups and radio stations across New South Wales.

The ‘Energize’ project, funded by the NSW Department of Energy, Utilities and Sustainability, will promote a culture of wise energy use to community radio listeners throughout NSW. A major focus of the project will be on promoting best practice in saving energy, using examples of successful local businesses, households and community groups who have made a real difference in the way they use energy. The project will be launched on-air in June, and will also provide listeners with practical tips on saving energy in the home and in their businesses, community organisations and schools.

This year-long project will develop a series of twenty-four five-minute (two per month) and thirty-six 60-second radio segments (three per month) providing a large statewide audience with information on energy efficiency. Each month, we’ll be sending all NSW stations a copy of the project audio, as well as printed information on energy efficiency and wise use of water.

If you would like to contribute to these projects, assist in collecting interviews or simply to find out more, please contact Ian Watson on 0448 801 381 or email ianwatson@aapt.net.au