BY SARAH STEPHEN
Charmaine Chew is one of hundreds of presenters who volunteer their time for Melbourne community radio 3CR's 132 programs that go to air each week. Chew presents the Borderlines program at 5-5.30pm each Wednesday, which deals with refugee issues and anti-racist activism.
Chew's experience illustrates how easy it is to get involved in 3CR. Chew joined the Borderlines program two-and-a-half years ago, and interviewed her first guest — Dr Nouria Salehi — with no training (that came soon afterwards) or prior experience, but with lots of encouragement from the dedicated staff at 3CR.
Salehi is a senior physicist and Afghan restaurateur who happily came into 3CR's eclectically decorated studios in Collingwood to talk about the Afghan Gallery, a Melbourne culinary institution that has, for over 20 years, enabled Afghan refugees to gain employment and develop skills in the hospitality industry.
Borderlines was developed in response to the growing anger and dissent over the federal Coalition government's refugee policies. Since its inception, Borderlines has interviewed a wide range of people, including refugee activists, health workers, academics, film directors, artists, church leaders, authors, community workers and, of course, refugees and their friends and supporters.
Borderlines aims to be informative, not only in relation to the issue of refugees in Australia, but to paint a broader picture of how people are affected by virtue of their skin colour or racial background. It aims to give voice to the issues that do not necessarily make headlines in the mainstream media.
Interviews conducted over the years have covered:
- Incidents of alleged police violence against young African men.
- Police searches of the homes of refugee activists.
- The consequences of the deportation of 40 asylum seekers.
- An aid worker's account of the issues confronting East Timorese women in refugee camps in West Timor.
- The independence struggle of the Western Saharawi people.
- An historical analysis of Australia's mandatory detention policy.
- Tony Kevin's expose of government misinformation on the sinking of SIEV X.
Stories of courage and survival often emerge as refugees tell their stories. There have been uplifting stories of flight; fond memories of home, food and music; and of exhibitions, theatre productions, films and soccer matches.
Borderlines and 3CR need your help to keep these and many more stories going to air, to keep up a critical voice on the government and corporate diatribe.
You can:
1. Donate to the 3CR Radiothon, and help Borderlines keep the borders open. Be in the running to win fantastic prizes, including a free trip for two to Thailand (courtesy of Intrepid Travel). Phone (03) 9419 8377.
2. Get involved! Borderlines is looking for new presenters to join the show. It's a great way to develop your media skills and to meet inspiring people. Refugees are especially invited to join the program. Phone Libby on (03) 9419 8377 or email <volunteers@3cr.org.au>.
From Green Left Weekly, June 29, 2005.
Visit the Green Left Weekly home page.