Stay tuned for a new community radio station in Ipswich

Stay tuned for a new community radio station in Ipswich.

The University of Southern Queensland (USQ) has announced it will launch a new community based radio station on 25 February 2008 to coincide with Semester One O Week celebrations at its Springfield campus.

The station, which will be officially named and opened on 27 February by USQ Vice Chancellor Professor Bill Lovegrove, will initially ‘broadcast' via a streaming service on the internet.

The University hopes to secure a broader community license allowing broadcasting to air later this year.

USQ Bachelor of Applied Media lecturer Ashley Jones said the radio station would mirror the Springfield campus ethos of being ‘community centred and career focused'.

'The station will support the teaching and learning being undertaken through the Bachelor of Applied Media (BAM) degree offered at Springfield but will also reach further into the greater Ipswich community,' Mr Jones said.

'We are extending an invitation to people in the Ipswich and Springfield communities to become involved with the station.

'While our focus will be to teach our BAM students we will also structure less formal basic training to ensure members of the wider community get to know the radio station equipment as well.'

Mr Jones said the early program coverage would include the development of a morning show, lunch program and a youth program for late afternoon.

'I am keen to hear from any groups in the community who have program ideas.

'We would like to ultimately work with people in the area to develop their own programs with the support of a BAM student producer.

'This is an exciting project for USQ and the wider community.

'We hope the radio station will become a meaningful tool in communicating both through the streaming service and ultimately also on air to a local audience.'

For more information or to become involved with the radio station contact Ashley Jones on +61 7 3470 4642 or jonesas@usq.edu.au

Media Contact:  Jo-Ann Sparrow, USQ Media, +61 7 3470 4119 or 0428 102 979