Resonating stories. Journalists from around the block, interstate and overseas.
Thanks to the CBF for support.
Facebook: @CommunityNewsroomNRN
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Anchor / Executive Producer: Mia Armitage
Contributors: Anny Reed; Rob Osborne; Dr John Jiggens; Kate Payne; Sean O’Shannessy (Environmental As Anything, RIver FM); Suzie Fawcet; Jim Beatson; Fernando de Freitas; Julie Beesley; Michelle Michels; Jodee Sydney; Dione Green; Riddhi; Eve Sinton; Giles Parkinson; The Wire; National Radio News Service; Community Radio Network
Pic: student climate action strike in Byron, 2019 – Michelle Michels

24 Jan 2025, 6pm Community Newsroom The second Australian Pro Adaptive Surfing Championships have been announced for late March in Byron again this year and to celebrate, we head back to the inaugural event in 2024. Discover the glorious community spirit driving the world of pro-adaptive surf as Mia Armitage speaks with organiser and world champion Mark (Mono) Stewart, other competitors ranging from a 17-year-old to a veteran, and event volunteers from Byron, the United States and Japan. 1 . A ‘celebration of life’: British pro-adaptive surfer Spike Kane and Aussie world champion Mark (Mono) Stewart launch Byron world titles event featuring British pro adaptive surf competitor Spike Kane and World Pro Adaptive Surf champion and Australian Pro Adaptive Surf Titles Byron event director Mark (Mono) Stewart 2. The 17-year-old Gold Coast grommet taking out world Pro Adaptive Surf titles featuring World Pro Adaptive Surf champion Kai Colless 3. Founder of Veterans Surfers’ Association and Para Olympian star Gavin Bellis just hopes his daughters are proud of him featuring Veterans Surfers’ Association Co-Founder and Para Olympian gold medallist Gavin Bellis 4. Community counts for more than competition points, says French Pro Adaptive Surf contestant featuring French Pro Adaptive Surf contestant Guillaume Collen 5. No full disabled toilet facilities between the Gold Coast and Coffs, says World Surf Champion Pauline Menser featuring World Surf Champion Pauline Menser 6. Imagine being in charge of water safety at an adaptive surfing competition: meet Adam Land featuring Pro Adaptive Surf water safety co-lead Adam Land 7. Lifelong friends after just four days: the volunteers helping Japanese Pro Adaptive Surfer Tomoki Fujiwara featuring volunteers Yoichi, Taka and Minami 8. ‘I want to hear their stories,’: World Surf Champion Steph Gilmore shows up to Pro Adaptive Surf Championships featuring World Surf Champion Steph Gilmore 9. SONG: Homeward Bound written, and performed live, by Jess Hitchcock Includes the following music tracks and performers: Let’s Go Surfing by The Drums; Catch A Wave by The Beach Boys; Wipe Out by the Surfaris; Surfing Drums by Dick Dale; Pure Shores by All Saints *producer: Mia Armitage. Reports produced by Mia Armitage unless otherwise indicated. Tune in to the Community Newsroom on Fridays from 11am-12 on Bay FM 99.9 or listen online at bayfm.org Facebook: Community Newsroom NRN PIC: 17-yr-old World Pro Adaptive Surf champion Kai Colless (centre) with family at the 2024 Byron Blackmores Australian Pro Adaptive Surf Championships (Mia Armitage)

22 Jan 2025, 10pm Community Newsroom W.O.W stands for Wise Older Women, a Community Broadcasting Foundation funded project aimed at challenging narratives that continue to disadvantage many older women by failing to recognise the lifelong impacts of inequality, further compounded in later years. This project offers a media platform for women aged 55-85yrs experiencing marginalisation through ageism, and other intersecting vulnerabilities. Producer and longtime Bay FM Belly presenter Rasela Torise says many older women experience varying forms of invisibility, yet they are our mothers, sisters, aunties, grandmothers, maybe even ourselves. featuring Bay FM presenter and Wise Older Women producer Rasela Torise reporter: Mia Armitage PIC: Rasela Torise (Mia Armitage)

22 Jan 2025, 9pm Community Newsroom We hear from not one but two widely regarded experts on the regulations best imposed on smoking and vaping regulations with each holding contrasting conclusions. featuring Harm Reduction Australia member Dr Alex Wodak and University of Sydney Public Health Emeritus Professor Simon Chapman reporters: Dr John Jiggens and Mia Armitage Tune in to the Community Newsroom on Fridays from 11am-12 on Bay FM 99.9 or listen online at bayfm.org Facebook: Community Newsroom NRN PIC: vintage cigarette packet (Mia Armitage)

20 Jan 2025, 10pm Community Newsroom Today we hear just part of an hour-long interview with local writer, author, poet, model, and Hula teacher, and long time Echo Astrology contributor Lilith Rocha but also have the pleasure of hearing from producer Rasela Torise. First, though, we indulge in the virtues or otherwise of vaping and its comparatively unfashionable cousin, smoking, with not one but two widely regarded experts on the regulations best imposed on the associated products of both…. they each hold contrasting conclusions. 1. Ramraids, firebombs, smoke and vapour: Australia’s nicotine regulations featuring Harm Reduction Australia member Dr Alex Wodak and University of Sydney Public Health Emeritus Professor Simon Chapman (with Dr John Jiggers) 2. Echo Astrology writer Lilith Rocha shares her story with community radio featuring writer, author, poet, model, and Hula teacher, and long time Echo Astrology contributor Lilith Rocha (Rasela Torise) 3. Seen and heard: community radio podcast series honours older, wiser women featuring Bay FM presenter and Wise Older Women producer Rasela Torise 4. Northern Rivers News with Anny Reed *producer: Mia Armitage. Reports by Mia Armitage unless otherwise indicated. Tune in to the Community Newsroom on Fridays from 11am-12 on Bay FM 99.9 or listen online at bayfm.org Facebook: Community Newsroom NRN PIC: Rasela Torise (Mia Armitage)

10 Jan 2025, 11pm Community Newsroom We start today with the belated news of Captain Paul Watson’s release from detention in Greenland in time to spend Christmas with his family. featuring Captain Paul Watson Foundation Australia Director Haans Siver PIC: Captain Paul Watson (supplied)

10 Jan 2025, 11pm Community Newsroom Today we continue our summer series in the newsroom, celebrating again more of the amazing work produced from your local community radio presenters, including some comedy from someone we’re used to hearing speaking very seriously. But we start with the belated news of Captain Paul Watson’s release from detention in Greenland in time to spend Christmas with his family. 1. Captain Paul Watson freed but the fight for whales continues featuring Captain Paul Watson Foundation Australia General Manager Haans Siver 2. Bay FM founding member Nancy Jo Falcone shares her story (excerpt from WOW Wise Older Women podcast series)featuring Bay FM founding member Nancy Jo Falcone (Rasela Torise) 3. From the corporate high life to far right extremism in the regions with Community Newsroom reporter Adele Smout 4. Northern Rivers News with Anny Reed *producer: Mia Armitage. Reports by Mia Armitage unless otherwise indicated. Tune in to the Community Newsroom on Fridays from 11am-12 on Bay FM 99.9 or listen online at bayfm.org Facebook: Community Newsroom NRN PIC: Captain Paul Watson (supplied)