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Coffs Harbour, NEW SOUTH WALES

Legacy penetrates the airwaves

What started out as a small local radio program in Coffs Harbour has grown to reach a national audience through 12 different stations thanks to a dedicated band of Legacy members and the Department of Veterans' Affairs.

Hans Katala, with the help of a dedicated group of volunteers, developed the concept for On the Air with Legacy to ensure Coffs Harbour residents had up-to-date information about veterans' entitlements and retiree issues.

The proposal for a local radio program soon grew to a national scale when the Department of Veterans' Affairs realised the project's potential to disseminate information through the medium of radio and encouraged Coffs Harbour Legacy to expand its plan. A survey of Legacy groups in NSW and other states showed enormous support for the project. "It just grew and grew," Hans says.

Legacy groups associated with the broadcast have recorded an increase in membership enquires since the show first went to air and many war widows/widowers have realised their eligibility for Legacy support.

With the Department's grant funding Legacy purchased a computer and software, a mini-disc player, microphone, tapes and music CDs, a mixing panel and soundproofing and Hans and his team set about recording the first weekly program.

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Audiences love the one-hour spot, which includes music, news, interviews, anecdotal stories and information about government and other services for veterans, widows/widowers and the ex-service community.

Hans says many other communities have launched their own radio programs based on the Coffs Harbour model.

He says a lot of work goes into preparing the program but the community's reliance on the service is what keeps him and the Legacy group keen. Legacy recoups production costs by charging a small fee to the other Legacy groups who air the program.

"I think those are particularly good outcomes," Hans says.

In the future, there are plans to distribute the On Air with Legacy program via Australia's national satellite community broadcasting network. It may also end up on the Internet.

Veterans tuning in to their community

Project: production of a radio program with information and entertainment for veterans and retirees.

Grant value: $14,889

Community benefits: reduced isolation of the veteran community through improved access to information.

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