CMR COVID-19 Bulletin Project
Providing positive stories for the Victorian Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and broader communities during and about the State’s COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic. Airing every weekday at 4:30pm on 3KND Radio
Click here to find your nearest COVID-19 Testing Centre (DHHS website)
About this project
It’s all about looking for on-air stories that examine and discuss some of the positives – yes, positives – in the harsh reality that is Victoria’s COVID-19 social restrictions and lockdowns. They exist big time! Here are just a few of them…(click here for the full library).
Victoria’s return to school is not good news for every student
While Victoria’s return to school stages are welcomed by many, for students who have had a respite from school place bullying, it’s bad news
Taungurung woman Flt Lt Aimee McCartney works for cultural change within the Air Force
The Australian Defence Force has a come a long way over the years, thanks in no small part to Indigenous Liaison Officers such as Flt Lt McCartney
Aboriginal business owner starting a new business during COVID. “Why wait?” he asks
Dreamtime Art’s Matthew Everett started his company in the GFC, so nothing’s stopping him with his next venture during COVID!
Click here for all the stories in this project
Keeping informed
It’s also important that we’re up to date with all the latest news about COVID-19 figures from around Victoria. So here are the three most recent COVID-19 media releases from the Department of Health and Human Services…(click here for the full library).
DHHS COVID-19 News Release for 20 September 2020
Here are the key points from the release dated 19 September 2020. Also included is the full release from DHHS
DHHS COVID-19 News Release for 19 September 2020
Here are the key points from the release dated 19 September 2020. Also included is the full release from DHHS
DHHS COVID-19 News Release for 18 September 2020
Here are the key points from the release dated 18 September 2020. Also included is the full release from DHHS
Click here for all the news releases in this project
About the Project
The CMR COVID-19 Bulletin Project is a Connection Matters Radio (CMR) entirely self-funded project that is researched, produced and hosted by CMR’s Charles Pakana. It first went live at 4:30pm on Tuesday the 4th of August 2020, airing initially on 3KND 1503.
It came about as a result of a frantic one-and-a-half hours on Sunday the 2nd of August 2020 during the Victorian Premier’s press conference in which he announced Victoria entering a State of Disaster and the introduction of Stage 5 restrictions.
At the time of the press conference, Charles was hosting his Sixties Sojourn radio program. While two-song sets were playing he monitored the ABC News coronavirus live blog and wrote quick updates that were broadcast in between sets. This went on for one-and-a-half hours and inspired him to approach 3KND management with the idea of producing a daily 30-minute COVID-19 Bulletin for the station’s growing audience.
That was on Monday the 3rd of August. The CMR COVID-19 Bulletin was launched the very next day.
The Project's Content
The primary goal of the CMR COVID-19 Bulletin project is to provide audiences with a balanced view of life in the coronavirus pandemic. With that in mind the focus is on searching for and producing on-air stories that are informative, entertaining, constructive and positive.
Is it all About Aboriginal Content?
Not at all. While Connection Matters Radio is Aboriginal-owned and -operated, the majority of content is produced for everybody.
How can I Support the Project?
First up, put your wallet away. Even though this project is 100% self-funded and consumes an enormous amount of unpaid time, as Charles Pakana’s mentor and elder Uncle Talgium Edwards told him at the outset: “Trust in Bunjil and the spirits.”
The way you can help this project is simple:
- Use the share button on this page to promote awareness on social media
- Like the CMR Facebook page
- Contribute your ideas for stories and interviews by using the contact form here
- Just support and be nice to each other.