A community hub, a political platform and an activist’s arena, 3CR is a radio station with a difference. Established in 1976, the station has been giving a voice to local communities and minority groups ever since. With over 125 radio programs broadcast from the Smith Street studios each week, 3CR is a dynamic space where those often underrepresented in the media can have a say. There are programs from refugees, human rights activists, live music fanatics and feminist groups, as well as LGBTIQ focused shows and content from a variety of language groups. And that’s just to name a few.
Though it’s 42 years since the station was established, 3CR is still the ever-diverse voice it has been since the beginning. Today, over 420 volunteers access the station weekly, and 3CR has journeyed from a radical past to a radical present.

“We’ve consistently been a radio station that supports a diverse range of people, communities and ideas,” says Station Manager Rachel Kirby.

“From the very beginning, we’ve had the priority to provide access, spaces and support for communities, established and new, to have a voice. Our programming is incredibly wide and varied.”

Even the way each program is selected enhances the inclusive, diverse quality that makes 3CR unique.

“We approve ideas, not individuals,” explains Rachel, “meaning that once a show is approved, different people can come and go within that program.”

“We’ve had some shows that have been on the air since the very beginning.”

“To see different people come and go within a show, over more than 40 years, is a testament to our type of programs. Because the shows themselves represent communities and ideas, they draw people from those communities and campaigns to them.”

3CR’s shows are truly representative of the population, Rachel explains, and over the 42 years of programming, it’s even possible to track the changing cultural groups and populations within Australia.

“To begin with we had a number of Latin American shows. We had the first migrants from Chile who came out after the coup who did a show called Chile Libre,” Rachel says.

“The new community would tune in every week to hear information they needed to hear in Spanish. They were talking about things you needed to know to establish your life here in Melbourne but also were reporting direct reporting on what was happening to families in Chile.”

“Since then we’ve had Vietnamese programs, Middle Eastern focussed shows and other community groups, as our communities change and the needs change.

Another of 3CR’s long-term programs, on air since 1992, is LBTIQ show, In Ya Face. Current host James Mackenzie has been on-board since 1997 and loves everything 3CR and their programs stand for.

“It’s an unbelievably diverse organisation. You can talk to environmental activists, trade unionists, indigenous people, people into live music people from refugee backgrounds… it’s a real melting pot of diversity and that’s what really appeals to me,” he says.

“3CR gives communities a voice to effect positive social change for themselves, allied communities and broader society. It’s an issues based organisation here, an activist’s hub. It’s got a very interpretive approach to issues and it’s very committed to addressing social disadvantage.”

James also loves the sense of community that comes from volunteering at 3CR.

“Doing radio gives you an incredible sense of camaraderie especially when it’s around issues in the community,”” he explains.

“It’s just wonderful coming in, going into the studio every week, digging deep and talking from the heart. 3CR is a wonderful space.”

RADIO THON

Operating entirely on minimal government funding and volunteer efforts, 3CR relies on support from the communities and groups they represent.

The annual Radio-Thon (4-17 June) provides an opportunity for listeners, activists and community groups to contribute to the running of the station.

This year’s theme is ‘Fight for Your Mic’, and each program in 3CR’s grid will present a bumper edition of their show, promoting their message to listeners and encouraging them to donate.

“This is our annual fundraising event, so we reach out to our community of listeners and supporters and ask them to financially support the station,” explains Rachel.

“If we want to give space to these often underrepresented voices and stories that 3CR does, then we need certain finances to do that.”

James too reiterates the importance of the Radiothon to keep 3CR going financially.

“We really rely on our community of listeners, the activist community and the community within the station networks to get behind us, donate and keep the radio live,” he explains.

Written for Inner Circle Magazine May 2018 issue.