2SER
Encyclopedia
2SER is a community radio
station in Sydney
, New South Wales
, Australia
, broadcasting on the frequency 107.3 FM and is a member of the Community Broadcasting Association of Australia
. The station operates as a company limited by guarantee and is jointly owned by Macquarie University
and the University of Technology, Sydney
. Both institutions contribute an annual grant to 2SER, however the station is largely self-supporting, relying upon revenue raised through programming, sponsorship, fund-raising events and membership.
The station has a metro-wide licence and broadcasts a mix of programming styles - specialist music, general magazine and specialist talks. It currently broadcasts 15 talks shows covering topics such as science, current affairs, health, conservation, publishing, gay culture and theatre. 2SER is also one of few media outlets that has a special program for prisoners. The station helped launch the broadcasting careers of Julie McCrossin
, Robbie Buck
, Helen Razer
, Eleanor Hall
, Koith 'HairBear' Jackson, Fenella Kernebone
and Jonathan Harley - all of whom started out on the station as volunteers.
, and has been broadcasting ever since.
In the mid-1990s the station expanded its programming to emphasise 'underground dance music' which was very popular in Sydney at the time. This caused friction within the station but 2SER organised a series of highly lucrative fund raising events called Freaky Loops in association with Sydney promoters such as Cryogenesis, Clan Analogue
, Club Kooky and Elefant Traks
which sustained the move to a new musical format for several years until 2001.
In late 2004, the station was faced with a projected budget shortfall of up to $100,000 that financial year. Management addressed the situation by reducing the number of paid staff, putting forward proposals to scale down the use of its studio at Macquarie University and attempting to cater for a slightly older audience - ideas that were met with frustration from some volunteers. Internal activism resulted in a softening of policy. In early 2005 the new program grid was launched, and despite the controversy in its lead up, it proved to be a simple reshuffle of the existing grid, rather than a dramatic overhaul.
The station worked on its improving its brand across the 2003-2005 period, incorporating a fresh new logo and brand elements designed by Mark Gowing Design. The station's online presence was also redesigned to deliver a rich content experience, with work being done by design agency, Digital Eskimo. Both agencies are supporters of 2SER and are good examples of the community of businesses and individuals that support the station.
The program launched the career of several local DJs who came in to do guest spots. The introduction of Frank Rodi gave the program a slick finish. "The Pulse" lasted on air until 2000, when the program producer, Lance Elias, called it a day and moved into business. Frank Rodi went on to produce the program Alchemy for SBS radio as well as a TV version later on.
Highlights of "The Pulse":
Regular contributors to the program included, Burt Greer, Paul Byrne, Stan Veitsman, Lisa Yates, DJ Mickey (now Mickey Morphingaz), Yumi Greer, Gloria Greer, Rasheedar, and Celest.
The Diffusion Science Radio Show is a science show broadcast each Monday at 6.30pm.
Community radio
Community radio is a type of radio service, that offers a third model of radio broadcasting beyond commercial broadcasting and public broadcasting. Community stations can serve geographic communities and communities of interest...
station in Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
, New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, broadcasting on the frequency 107.3 FM and is a member of the Community Broadcasting Association of Australia
Community Broadcasting Association of Australia
The Community Broadcasting Association of Australia is a peak body and the national representative organisation for community radio and television stations in Australia. The CBAA provide leadership, advocacy and support for members to actively provide independent broadcasting services and to build...
. The station operates as a company limited by guarantee and is jointly owned by Macquarie University
Macquarie University
Macquarie University is an Australian public teaching and research university located in Sydney, with its main campus situated in Macquarie Park. Founded in 1964 by the New South Wales Government, it was the third university to be established in the metropolitan area of Sydney...
and the University of Technology, Sydney
University of Technology, Sydney
The University of Technology Sydney is a university in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. The university was founded in its current form in 1981, although its origins trace back to the 1870s. UTS is notable for its central location as the only university with its main campuses within the Sydney CBD...
. Both institutions contribute an annual grant to 2SER, however the station is largely self-supporting, relying upon revenue raised through programming, sponsorship, fund-raising events and membership.
The station has a metro-wide licence and broadcasts a mix of programming styles - specialist music, general magazine and specialist talks. It currently broadcasts 15 talks shows covering topics such as science, current affairs, health, conservation, publishing, gay culture and theatre. 2SER is also one of few media outlets that has a special program for prisoners. The station helped launch the broadcasting careers of Julie McCrossin
Julie McCrossin
Julie McCrossin is an Australian radio broadcaster, journalist, comedian and campaigner for women's and gay rights. She is best known for her role as a team captain on the news-based comedy quiz show Good News Week between 1996 and 2000....
, Robbie Buck
Robbie Buck
Robbie Buck is an Australian radio announcer best known for his work at the national youth broadcaster, Triple J...
, Helen Razer
Helen Razer
Helen Razer is a Melbourne-born and Canberra-raised radio presenter and writer. She is the author of four non-fiction books and a columnist with the Australian version of The Big Issue, Melbourne newspaper The Age, and contributor to monthly magazine, Cherrie .-Media work:Razer was a prominent...
, Eleanor Hall
Eleanor Hall
Eleanor Hall is an Australian Broadcasting Corporation journalist and presenter of the World Today programme on ABC Local Radio. She has previously worked on American radio and television, and for ABC Television's 7:30 Report and Lateline programmes. She is based in Sydney.-References:*...
, Koith 'HairBear' Jackson, Fenella Kernebone
Fenella Kernebone
Fenella Kernebone is an Australian radio and television presenter, based in Sydney.Kernebone was just three months old when her family moved to Homebush, New South Wales, in Sydney’s west. She was educated at the Presbyterian Ladies' College, Sydney in Croydon, New South Wales...
and Jonathan Harley - all of whom started out on the station as volunteers.
History
The station had its origins in the burgeoning community broadcasting movement of the early 1970s when it was proposed that an educational station, based on a consortium of Sydney universities, be established. On 1 October 1979 the station was opened by the Federal Minister for Education, Senator John CarrickJohn Carrick (Australian politician)
Sir John Leslie Carrick, AC, KCMG is a former Australian politician.-Early life:Carrick studied economics at the University of Sydney . Before he was able to commence his career to any great degree he fought with the Sparrow Force of the Australian Army during World War II. He was landed on...
, and has been broadcasting ever since.
In the mid-1990s the station expanded its programming to emphasise 'underground dance music' which was very popular in Sydney at the time. This caused friction within the station but 2SER organised a series of highly lucrative fund raising events called Freaky Loops in association with Sydney promoters such as Cryogenesis, Clan Analogue
Clan Analogue
-History:Clan Analogue was started in Sydney, Australia, in 1992 as a collective by founder Brendan J Palmer, and a small group of people who were interested and active in electronic sound...
, Club Kooky and Elefant Traks
Elefant Traks
Elefant Traks is an Australian hip hop record label based in Sydney, Australia. Elefant Traks are distributed nationally through Inertia Distribution.-History:...
which sustained the move to a new musical format for several years until 2001.
In late 2004, the station was faced with a projected budget shortfall of up to $100,000 that financial year. Management addressed the situation by reducing the number of paid staff, putting forward proposals to scale down the use of its studio at Macquarie University and attempting to cater for a slightly older audience - ideas that were met with frustration from some volunteers. Internal activism resulted in a softening of policy. In early 2005 the new program grid was launched, and despite the controversy in its lead up, it proved to be a simple reshuffle of the existing grid, rather than a dramatic overhaul.
The station worked on its improving its brand across the 2003-2005 period, incorporating a fresh new logo and brand elements designed by Mark Gowing Design. The station's online presence was also redesigned to deliver a rich content experience, with work being done by design agency, Digital Eskimo. Both agencies are supporters of 2SER and are good examples of the community of businesses and individuals that support the station.
Programs on the Station
The Pulse radio program started out in the late 1980s as the brainchild of DJ Lance for 2SER FM in Sydney, Australia along with the help of a fellow DJ, Stevie B. It went to air late on Saturday nights into the early hours of Sunday morning. "The Pulse" moved from early mornings into the late Saturday night spot where the program was a ratings success.The program launched the career of several local DJs who came in to do guest spots. The introduction of Frank Rodi gave the program a slick finish. "The Pulse" lasted on air until 2000, when the program producer, Lance Elias, called it a day and moved into business. Frank Rodi went on to produce the program Alchemy for SBS radio as well as a TV version later on.
Highlights of "The Pulse":
- Live spot from the Zoo
- Complete program on Helium
- Top 20 Dance / Rap count down
- A very Hip Hop Xmas Specials
- Nude programs
- Interviews with the latest artists of the time
Regular contributors to the program included, Burt Greer, Paul Byrne, Stan Veitsman, Lisa Yates, DJ Mickey (now Mickey Morphingaz), Yumi Greer, Gloria Greer, Rasheedar, and Celest.
The Diffusion Science Radio Show is a science show broadcast each Monday at 6.30pm.