New Beginnings Comes to Life
The project concept was seeded by former 2XX 98.3FM Canberra, co-manager, Sophie Verass, who secured grant funding from the Community Broadcasting Foundation in 2016. Originally the project was called I Speak No English and when Sophie Verass was offered a job with SBS in Sydney in December 2016, Becca Posterino was asked to be the I Speak No English project coordinator. At the time, Becca was the Executive Producer for 2XX 98.3FM community radio, local current affairs program – SubjectACT.
Becca quickly discovered she needed to start the project from scratch to build solid networks with educators, local organisations and community leaders. Concurrently, it would be crucial to develop strong relationships with community members, prepared to share personal stories to help shape the documentary narrative. Becca managed to build genuine, personal and professional relationships and forged solid networks with Dickson College leaders and with a diversity of Canberra community members who shared their traumatic but ultimately inspiring personal histories.
Becca Posterino’s ongoing work commitments meant the project was waylaid and as a result, project funding lapsed. Intent on completing the project, Becca re-applied for continuing funding and with the assistance of 2XX 98.3FM manager Adrian Gibbs, the project was reignited with renewed energy and purpose.
Almost three years later, with a fitting new title, New Beginnings community radio documentary is now available as a podcast and will be broadcast nationally on the Community Radio Network (CRN). New Beginnings is the result of over fifty interviews, including the shared stories of migrants, asylum seekers, refugees and the professional insights of educators, academics, community leaders and stakeholders. The initial vision of this project has evolved because of the continual support and resilience of a team of generous and passionate community radio volunteers and staff alike.
