‘No one to pass the microphone to’: Some Filipino community radio broadcasters struggle to find volunteers in Australia

Despite decades of service, many veteran community radio broadcasters find themselves unable to step away from the microphone due to a critical shortage of new volunteers.

Unlike mainstream media, community radio relies almost entirely on unpaid passion. Credit: Pressmaster Production Studio

Key Points

• Unlike mainstream media, community radio relies almost entirely on unpaid passion.
• Some Filipino community radio veterans like Edna McLennan in Toowoomba, QLD and Violi Calvert in Sydney, NSW, find themselves returning from retirement to mentor others or fill gaps because it is increasingly difficult to find younger volunteers willing to commit the significant time required.
• This trend reflects a broader national decline in Australian volunteering, threatening the survival of a medium that provides an essential voice for underrepresented ethnic communities.

Community radio hosts Edna McLennan (Radio Philippines, Toowoomba) and Violi Calvert (Radio Tagumpay, Sydney) share their passion for serving the Filipino community on air.

LISTEN TO

‘No one to pass the microphone to’: Some Filipino community radio broadcasters struggle to find volunteers in Australia

SBS Filipino

10:19Filipino

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