Talking Newspapers at Colac's OCR-FM

Talking Newspapers at Colac’s OCR-FM

OCR-FM feels that their Radio Reading program is so important for the local community, they run it three times a week.

Talking Newspapers is one of the flagship programs at OCR FM, a volunteer-run community radio station serving Victoria’s southwest coast including Colac, Otways and Apollo Bay.

President, Tyson Graham says,

“Our Talking Newspapers not only provides local visually impaired people the opportunity to hear the news read out, but coincides with many workers’ lunch breaks so they can catch up on the news if they don’t get the chance to see the paper during the day.

It’s also been a great introduction to radio for new presenters, who sit in and practice reading aloud”.

Talking Newspapers started in 2002 with a small group of presenters sharing daily duties of reading local news publications including the Colac Herald, Geelong Advertiser and Apollo Bay Newssheet.

Older woman wearing glasses and holding a newspaper, smiles for the camera in the OCR-FM studio. — Loyal radio reader for OCR-FM, Rosemary Goodall.

Rosemary Goodall is one of the last remaining original team members. She is supported by Peter Branschied once a week, and other presenters assist when they can. Rosemary enjoys doing Talking Newspapers because:

“I know I am doing a community service and helping people who otherwise don’t have access to the current Colac Herald. Some people read the paper at home while listening to me to practice reading too.”

You need to be able to read fluently aloud with feeling to do it. And judge which articles are most important to fit into the hour. As well you need to be able to introduce and finish the show and use the console, cd players and computer to conduct the program.

It has taught me to be patient and pace myself. And I now have a knowledge of current events around my hometown as I read about them for the program. It has taught me to be organised, to prepare on the days the Colac Herald is published.

Because our station presents Talking Newspapers we have the opportunity for extra income from sponsorship announcements. And we have access to wonderful RPH programs.”