End of Drive for Murdoch Students

by Peter Brennan

May 25, 2006

This is the final week Murdoch University media students will present and produce a weekday drive-time show on Radio Fremantle.

Since the beginning of April the students were rostered in teams of two or three to prepare and present a live one-hour program, consisting of local content, interviews and music.

Broadcast from the Murdoch Radio studios via frequency 107.9 fm, students were assessed on their performance by unit co-ordinator Gail Phillips, who initiated the partnership with Radio Fremantle in 1997.

“It’s a great opportunity for students to experience what the professionals experience. This is radio with a real audience…a brilliant training ground,” she said.

Media student Valentina Carboni, 19, enjoyed the experience.

“It’s been so intense but such a fantastic experience! It’s confirmed my desire to pursue a career in the industry,” she said.

It is estimated that over 8,000 listeners aged between 18 to 35 regularly tune into the drive-time slot on Radio Fremantle.

Station manager Ted Walker is very happy with the students’ performance.

“It’s been outstanding! The listener feedback has been very positive, especially since much of the content has been local and focused on the Fremantle area,” he said.

This successful partnership between Murdoch University and Radio Fremantle will continue next year.