Station Manager Darren Ludlow
I've been a broadcaster for 23 years, originally trained by the BCNZ in Wellington, and coming to Invercargill via Balclutha, Dunedin and Timaru. The majority of my time in radio locally was spent at 4ZA, Foveaux Radio and lattery back at Classic Hits. I'm an elected member on the Invercargill City Council, chair of the Southland Museum and Art Gallery Trust Board, and have a strong interest in the arts. As an actor I've appeared on stage and screen in a variety of roles - both dramatic and comedic. I'm a big fan of Southland music and want to encourage local musicians to come forward with their work - we'll give you an opportunity to give it some air-time. I'm married and have two small boys who are very active and keep me busy when away from work and council. I'm very keen on getting new programmes on-air and developing what is already a tremendous community resource into one that's fully utilised.
Station Coordinator Deborah Smith
I first became involved with Radio Southland when I responded to an advertisement in the local paper asking for volunteers interested in making a woman's radio programme. In 1998 when the opportunity arose for me to become a bonafide staff member, I jumped at the chance. The rest as they say is history. Its now 2007 and I'm still commuting and very involved in what I feel is a very special little radio station. You are probably wondering what a Station Coordinator does. The position encompasses administration and reception duties, and recording and programming, which tasks usually involve schools and other presenters. I'm required to source new programmes and to assist new presenters about how to go about producing their own show either pre recorded or live to air. I also produce the stations newsletter every two months. I work in with the Station Manager and the Sound Engineer. We meet each Monday to discuss the week ahead and plan where to slot in a new programme and generally throw a few ideas around. Another really important aspect of the job is public relations carried out at the front desk I am usually the first person people see and speak with so with that in mind I always endeavour to represent the station in a friendly and professional manner. Radio Southland is a Community Access Station. Its purpose is to allow people who would not normally get the opportunity to go on air to do so and to experience the wonderful medium of radio broadcasting.
Production Engineer Kim Diack
As most of you know I am the friendly face down the hall and off to the left. I started with Radio Southland back in 1992 as a volunteer and then as a part time sound engineer and studio operator. These days my job takes on more of an IT role as well as the sound engineering position. I have completed my first year of sound engineering and also studied computer technology at the S.I.T. I have always had an interest in computers since I was 12 when my mother purchased our first computer(Commodore Vic 20) . I have a 17 year old son who is often seen around the station on a Thursday afternoon waiting for Dad to finish work. I have a great passion for music and have had the radio bug since I was a small fry thanks to my father (Chris Diack). Sound Engineering wasn't my first career option as I wanted to be a chef and trained at the CPIT in Christchurch but circumstances beyond my control brought me back to Invercargill. The people that know me would say I love anything that beeps and flashes just look at the monster stereo and TV I have in my lounge. Bring on Digital Radio.......I hope.
Where we are:
Radio Southland 96.4fm
2nd Level
Hallensteins BuildingInvercargill
What we are....
We are part of the Access radio network, and a member of the twelve-station Association of Community Access Broadcasters [ACAB]. New Zealand on Air assists Access stations financially, with the expectation that we:ensure that a range of broadcasts is available to provide for the interests of women, youth, children, persons with disabilities and minorities in the community, including ethnic minorities" (Section 36(c) of the Act).
In June 1989, the Minister of Broadcasting issued a Directive to NZ On Air that says that "it is part of the general policy of Government in relation to broadcasting that access radio services should be available for a broad range of non-profit community groups"
