Melbourne's community radio station 3CR has firm roots in solidarity movements. The station first advocated for community-controlled media with a focus on giving voice to communities in struggle in the early 1970s. At the time, our founders brought together hundreds of organisations to call for a community radio station for the Melbourne area — a genuine act of solidarity and collective action. We recognised then, as we do now, the power in unity and that radio is a critical medium to build community connections and give communities a voice.
In 2024 we celebrate the station’s strength and ongoing vision with our Radiothon theme — “Sound on for Solidarity”. We continue to build connections to create change across a variety of areas including environmental action, disability justice, union struggle, First Nations sovereignty, local music, workers' rights, and, of course, the struggle for a free Palestine.
The station community has acutely felt the pain and anguish of the war on Gaza since October 2023. We have done what we can in supporting our longstanding Palestinian show Palestine Remembered, and recording, broadcasting and amplifying actions and information calling for a ceasefire and a free Palestine. To be honest, it never seems enough. So, we particularly encourage you to support and share our content at this time — remember, you can listen to our shows around the world, and we believe that Palestine Remembered is a truly unique and important weekly radio program. It’s on each Saturday morning at 9.30am AEST, then as a podcast afterwards.
Many of our listeners — and Green Left readers — are deeply aware that capitalism seeks to divide us in order to optimise exploitation and maximise profit-making. Solidarity is how we counter this destructive force, and with transformative solidarity we can extend the circles of inclusion and strive for a kinder, fairer and more just society.
Solidarity requires engaged action, and we certainly have that every day at the station on Smith Street in Fitzroy, Naarm/Melbourne.
It also requires hard work and I want to thank all of our volunteers who not only produce great radio but seek to bring people together through the act of media making. Their work builds strong community bonds, connects people and social movements, forges commonality and ultimately strengthens solidarity within our communities and our wider society. It’s such important work, and I hope that our listening community — and the GL reading community — can support us as much as possible during our ‘Sound on for Solidarity’ 2024 Radiothon.
Head to www.3cr.org.au/donate to show your support and make a tax-deductible donation.
Listen to 3CR on 855AM (Melbourne), or via 3CR Digital, streaming, audio on demand and podcasting on your favourite platform.
[Rachel Kirby is 3CR Station Manager. Promotional artwork by Aretha Brown.]