The ABC has announced its Geelong Radio in Residency initiative will launch in March bringing a month-long focus on Victoria's largest regional city.
The residency was planned for last October but due to COVID-19 was pushed back to this year.
ABC Radio Melbourne presenters including Virginia Trioli, Sammy J, Jacinta Parsons, Raf Epstein, Matt Preston and Lisa Leong will broadcast from the pop-up studio in the heart of the city at Deakin University's Waterfront campus, bolstering regional coverage from the existing ABC News Geelong bureau.
ABC Radio Melbourne Local Manager Dina Rosendorff said the Geelong Radio-in Residency was part of a long-term commitment to tell stories from the city and surrounding region.
"The relationships we'll build in the Geelong region will further strengthen our connection with the local community. We're looking forward to hearing from the region's residents about the issues and topics that matter most to them," she said. "It's a great way to kick off our celebrations for the ABC's 90th anniversary."
City of Greater Geelong Deputy Mayor Trent Sullivan said this was a valuable opportunity to share more diverse stories from the region.
"As one of Australia's fastest growing regional cities, it's great that Greater Geelong's local stories and topics will begetting more coverage," Deputy Mayor Sullivan said.
"This is a valuable opportunity to share a wide range of stories and journeys from our community, who are the best part of our fantastic region."
Deakin Vice-Chancellor, Professor lain Martin said the partnership was an exciting opportunity to provide listeners with engaging and relevant content that would 'spread the word' about the innovation happening at the university and in the community.
"There are so many untold stories when it comes to amazing work being done at Deakin and in Geelong. As more of these stories reach listeners, it will undoubtedly further strengthen Victoria's position as the nation's skills and innovation capital," Professor Martin said.
Deakin's Executive Dean, Faculty of Arts and Education, Professor Vanessa Lemm said the initiative would also provide opportunities for students to work closely with journalists, production teams, researchers and industry.
"It is so important for students to get workplace experience during their studies. This is a high priority in our course design at Deakin because students need to apply the skills they learn in a real-life setting. These kinds of experiences are just so valuable for their development and preparing them for their future careers," Professor Lemm said.
The ABC's temporary pop-up radio headquarters will be located on the corner of Cunningham St and Western Beach Rd, overlooking Corio Bay. The space has been provided by Deakin University's School of Creative Arts.
Popular ABC Radio Melbourne programs and presenters will broadcast live from the studio, including Walkley Award-winning Mornings presenter Virginia Trioli, The Conversation Hour andThe Friday Revue withJacinta Parsons & Brian Nankervis.
ABC's Geelong Radio in Residency programschedule:
Tuesday l March: Mornings with Virginia Trioli, 8.30 - 11am
Friday 4 March: Breakfast with Sammy J - 5.30am-8am
Monday 7 March: The Conversation Hour, 11am -12noon
Saturday 12 March: Matt Preston- Saturday Mornings, lOam-12 noon
Sunday 13 March: Sundays with Lisa Leong - 10am - l2noon
Tuesday 15-Wednesday 16 March: Drive with Raf Epstein- 3.30pm - 6.30pm
Thursday 24 March: Afternoons with Jacinta Parsons - 12.30pm - 3.30pm
Friday 25 March: The Friday Revue - l2.30pm - 3.30pm
Thursday 31 March: The Conversation Hour- 11am - l 2noon
