Since occupying the site, the struggle of Koori Radio and
its predecessor Radio Redfern to gain recognition and broadcast the voice of
the Indigenous community in metropolitan Sydney
has paralleled the struggle faced by many Aboriginal people in cities
nation-wide.
Radio Redfern first began broadcasting in the late 1980s
from Sydney University and 2SER, both conveniently
only 10 minutes from Redfern. “But there was a problem because community people
wouldn’t come along,” said co-founder Tiga Bayles.
The Cope Street
site was cheaply refurbished and soon became the station’s home, which led to a
large increase in community participation. “Radio Redfern allowed us to stay in
our community and do our programming.” The station acted as a gathering place
for thousands of Aboriginal people to share experiences, as well as protest
against social inequalities and racism.
After suffering financial difficulties the station was
forced to leave and the buildings were demolished. Now, more than 10 years
later, a $7 million redevelopment has been commissioned by the Indigenous Land
Council and is fully underway, scheduled to be complete by May this year. The
self-sustainable project is aimed at providing social and commercial benefits
to the Indigenous community, and Koori Radio will be returning home to ensure
these aims are met.
Former Cope Street resident and Mayor of South Sydney Tony Pooley recalls Radio Redfern being an enormous
asset to the community by strongly supporting local people and businesses. The
site is minutes away from the Block, and just next door to the Black Theatre
and other organisations where Indigenous people are involved in a range of
artistic pursuits such as screen printing, music and theatre production.
“This will reinforce the sense of community, the
spirituality of the land as well as the idea of a meeting place for Indigenous
people and the wider community alike. It’s a good thing to have and a good use
of the site.”
Photo: Ali Blogg – The Cope Street site in Redfern
Source:
South Sydney Herald April 2008 – www.southsydneyherald.com.au