The Late Show — Newcastle public radio 2NUR-FM presents a series on ABC TV's The Late Show. Presenter Wayne Hindson talks to D-Generation cast member Rob Sitch about life, the universe and humour. Tuesday, December 14 and 28, 9 p.m.
The Indigenous Year in Review — Stephanie Long talks to people about the Year of Indigenous People. Includes interviews with Aborigines from the Newcastle area and visiting Native American elder John Two Birds. 2NUR-FM, Newcastle. Every Tuesday in December, 1.30 p.m.
That's History: Wybalena — Sanctuary or site of genocide — A program about the suppression and survival of Aboriginal culture on Flinders Island in Bass Strait. The story is told of the most important places in the history of Tasmania's Aborigines. ABC Radio National, Friday, December 10, 7.10 p.m.
Back Catalogue: Black Gospel — This program features the best music by Mahalia Jackson, Aretha Franklin, Edwin Hawkins, the Five Blind Boys of Alabama. A couple of whiteys sneak in with Ry Cooder and Sydney's Cafe at the Gate of Salvation. 2NUR-FM, Newcastle. Friday, December 10, 7.30 p.m.
Radio National Christmas Appeal for South Asia — 36 hours of challenging and stimulating radio focused on India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Pakistan, coinciding with a radiothon to raise money for Community Aid Abroad projects in South Asia. CAA helps local community initiatives to alleviate poverty. Join guest presenters like Roy and H.G. for a weekend packed with politics, religion and culture. ABC Radio National, Saturday, December 11, and Sunday, December 12. Donations can be made on 008 034 034 or posted to CAA, GPO Box 9920 in each capital city.
The Australian Body: She'll Be Right, Will She? — It's a tricky time for women as they negotiate the personal and political terrain of health. ABC Radio National, Monday, December 13, 8.30 a.m. and 9.30 p.m.
The African American Folk Music Tradition — African American folk musics have greatly influenced modern music. The spiritual, field and work hollers, gospel and blues are the earliest examples. Part of Open Learning's series on American music and popular culture. ABC Radio National, Friday, December 17, 11.05 a.m.
4ZZZ-FM 18th Big Broadcasting Birthday! — Help celebrate the Brisbane alternative radio station's 18th birthday. A evening of dancing with seven of Brisbane's finest reggae, funk, pop and dance bands including Kubata, Katharsis, Freeside and Gravelrash. At the Metropolis Tavern, Brisbane Myer Centre. Saturday, December 18, 6.30 p.m. Free for 4ZZZ subscribers, $5 for employed people, $4 for students and unemployed.
New Pacific City — Auckland, or Tamaki Makaurau, is where white culture encounters the largest concentration of Maori and Pacific Islanders. New Pacific City is a journey through the Polynesian-inflected culture of Tamaki Makaurau. Despite unemployment, poor health and poverty, Polynesian society is reasserting itself in political and artistic terms. Visit the Maori-managed and -staffed Mai FM, speak to Polynesian authors and hear Pakeha grunge band Seven Dials join forces with Samoan rappers, Pacifican descendants. ABC Radio National, Sunday, December 19, 8.20 p.m.
Stormy Monday's Xmas Special — Sydney 2MBS-FM's famous annual Xmas Blues and R&B night kicks off as usual with Charles Brown's classic "Merry Christmas Baby". Forget those dreary old carols and get down and boogie to real black music. Monday, December 20, 9 p.m.
The world that came in from the Cold — Billed as a definitive guide to the Cold War years. The BBC interviewed more than 200 cold warriors from both sides. ABC Radio National, nightly at 9.05 p.m. beginning Monday, December 20.
Women on the Line presents Working Women — Melbourne's 3CR (885-AM) continues its series on the work of Australian women in the '90s. Every Wednesday, 5.30 p.m. until December 22 (repeated every Monday at 10 a.m.). Women on the Line is also broadcast on public radio stations throughout Australia; phone your local station for details.
Round Midnight: Black and Blue — Climb aboard the black music bus for a blues, R&B and reggae Xmas. ABC Radio National, Saturday, December 25, 9.05 p.m.
What Happened to Mary Jane? — A documentary on the history of marijuana through three generations. ABC Radio National, Sunday, December 26, 8.20 p.m.
Representations of the Intellectual — A series presented by noted Palestinian professor Edward Said argues intellectuals should be raising embarrassing questions publicly, debating issues however difficult or dangerous. ABC Radio National, nightly from Tuesday, December 28, 10.10 p.m. (repeated the following day at 3.05 p.m.).
Billie Holiday — Biographical detail, reminiscences of friends, archive recordings. Examines the impact of this star long after her death. ABC Radio National, Wednesday, December 29, 10.40 p.m. (repeated Thursday, December 30, 3.35 p.m.).
Owning Our History — A series of programs on areas of critical concern to both indigenous Australians and Australian society as a whole. The series begins with what Aboriginal reconciliation means from the point of view of community leaders and ordinary people. Other programs focus on Aboriginal communities in northern NSW, Aboriginal arts, the importance of land to Aboriginal people, the history of the dispossession of the Aboriginal people of Broome in WA, and range of other topics. 2SER-FM, Sydney. Every Tuesday from December 7, 7 p.m.