R. Australia Highlights CLII (w/c Jul 28)
John A. Figliozzi
Here are some weekend listening suggestions for Radio Australia. Days
and times are UTC with times and frequencies reflecting best reported
for shortwave reception in North America. (Frequencies reported by
European listeners are set out at the end of this bulletin.) + denotes
that a program was first broadcast previous to the listed time; *denotes
a program produced by RA (all others are produced at Radio National or
at other ABC domestic networks as noted); % denotes that the listed
program is available on-demand from the RA internet site. T indicates
that a printed transcript of the program is available at the RA or RN
Internet site.
Fri. 2315 on 21740 - LINGUA FRANCA - A program about language. This
week: "Hypnerotomachia Poliphili". JOHN TRANTER on the book he doesn't
intend to read - the Aldine Press's 1499 typographic masterpiece,
HYPNEROTOMACHIA POLIPHILI, by FRANCESCO COLONNA. Published during the
first 50 years after GUTENBERG's invention of printing with moveable
type, HYPNEROTOMACHIA POLIPHILI is one of those rare and more or less
priceless books known fondly as incunabula - Latin for swaddling clothes
or cradle. But more remarkable is its perfection of design. Poet JOHN
TRANTER - the website designer and editor of the Internet poetry
magazine, JACKET - talks about this classic of book design. (Also on
Sat. 0340, 1115.) T
+Fri. 2330 on 21740 - IN CONVERSATION (Science) - Robyn Williams talks
not only to scientists but also to those interested in the subject and
about what it's meant to their lives. This week, Professor Tony
Underwood, who is a passionate advocate for the protection of our
coastlines and fisheries and he has a practical approach to supplying
the sometimes competing needs of environment protection and commercial
viability. He's also a man who's not afraid to say that the Great
Barrier Reef is not necessarily Australia's most important underwater
system. (First broadcast 1930; repeated Sat. 0730.)
+Sat. 0030 on 21740 - FEEDBACK* - John Westland sits in for the
vacationing Roger Broadbent and reads your letters, plays some music,
introduces some features and discusses some of what's going on at RA.
(First broadcast Fri. at 2105; also Sat. 0630, Sun. 0330.)
Sat. 0110 on 17580 - OZ SOUNDS - Australian music and performers are
showcased. (Also, Sun. 0430, 1030.)
Sat. 0130 on 17580 - ARTS TALK - The world of arts and cultural ideas,
both in Australia and internationally. "Pink Out". Arts Talk this week
looks at the colour pink, from it's exploitation by the Queen of
Romance, Barbara Cartland to Marie Antoinette's favourite rose and its
use by the conservatives as a political weapon. (Also 0630, Tue. 2330.)
T
+Sat. 0205 on 15515 - OCKHAM'S RAZOR - Sharp talk about science. This
week: "Tree Felling". Australia is destroying its trees at a faster rate
than any other developed nation. We are losing 1000 square kilometres a
year from just the farm lands of Western Australia alone. Shocking
statistics. But environmental film maker and President of Men of the
Trees in WA, Barrie Oldfield is confident we can turn this picture
around and relates how he and his volunteers rehabilitated a paddock
that had lain bare under salt for 40 years. (First broadcast Fri.1905;
also, Sun. 0410, 0830.) T
Sat. 0205-0800/Sun. 0305-0800 on 17580 - GRANDSTAND - Live weekend
sports coverage. Featured matches:
AFL on Sat. beginning 0410 - Richmond vs. Sydney. [ Go to
<http://www.afl.com.au> for details.]
ARL on Sun. beginning 0430 - Sharks vs. Penrith. [Go to
<http://www.nrl.com.au> for details.]
Sat. 0430 on 15515 - JAZZ NOTES - Australian jazz. (Also at 1030; Sun.
1105.)
+Sat. 0705 on 15515 - PACIFIC REVIEW* - The weekend edition of PACIFIC
BEAT, Rob Hoskin highlights the past week's major reports on events in
the Pacific Region. This week's reports:
FIJI CONSTITUTION DAY - Monday was "Constitution Day" in Fiji. Since the
coup and the taking of hostages on May 19th the international community
has urged George Speight and his supporters to restore the
constitutional process and government in Fiji immediately. The
self-proclaimed leader of the coup says the public holiday should be
observed, but not as "Constitution Day".
FIJI MILITARY LAUNCHES CRACKDOWN - Fiji's Coup Leader George Speight is
under arrest and expected to be charged with treason following a
military raid outside Suva. Several hundred Speight supporters were also
in custody including his senior aides. Fiji's military say he may be
charged with treason, but the general secretary of the Fiji Trade Union
Congress, Felix Anthony, says that doesn't go far enough.
CAUTION URGED OVER SOLOMONS AMNESTY PROPOSAL - After 22 years of
independence, the new government of Solomon Islands wants to introduce
amnesty clauses into its constitution. The Bill is listed for debate
when Parliament resumes in August. Its hoped that the internationally
accepted tradition of pardons for "political" crimes will help bring
about a speedy end to the conflict in the country. But an Advisor to the
Solomon Islands Development Trust, Dr John Roughan says he's not sure
such a sensitive issue should be introduced without widespread
consultation.
SOLOMONS PEOPLE CALL FOR PEACE - Cease-fire negotiations were on-again
off-again all week, leading our reporter Richard Dinnen to reflect on
the wishes of ordinary Solomon Islanders.
VANUATU PM HAILS POLITICAL STABILITY - As Vanuatu celebrates the
twentieth anniversary of independence, what have been the major
achievments and what are the challenges to overcome? Prime Minister
Barak Sope says political stability is the country's biggest achievment
in it's twenty years of independence.
PNG TEACHERS SEEK MORE PAY - Papua New Guinea teachers are still asking
for increased wages. Caroline Tiriman reports.
CONCERN OVER TONGA'S DECLINING FOREIGN RESERVES - In Tonga, there are
worries about the nation's declining foreign reserves. Figures released
by the Reserve Bank show reserves dropped from 29 million Pa'anga to
26.2 million during June ...a drop of around $AUS2.8 million. But while
the Tongan Development Bank says the decline is a very negative
indicator for the Kingdom, the Chamber of Commerce is not worried. Its
President, Christine Uta'atu, spoke to Jemima Garrett.
NZ BRIDGING THE GAP - There's been a cautious welcome for the New
Zealand governmment's efforts to improve the status of Pacific
Islanders. The government is spending more than a billion dollars on
Maori and Pacific communities over the next four years, as part of its
Bridging the Gaps program. Bruce Hill has been gauging reaction.
(Previously broadcast Fri. 1805, 2105; Also Sat. 1705, Sun. 0510.) %
Sat. 1205 on 9580 - THE SPIRIT OF THINGS - Exploring contemporary values
and beliefs as expressed through ritual, art, music, and sacred texts.
This week: "Highlights from the Dead Sea Scrolls Symposium".
Internationally acclaimed scholars discuss the significance of the Dead
Sea Scrolls for Judaism and Christianity, as well as the nitty gritty of
dealing with fragile materials, some no larger than a postage stamp.
Rachael Kohn hosted the event at the Art Gallery of NSW with Geza
Vermes, Lawrence Schiffman, Emanuel Tov and Hanan Eshel. (Sole
broadcast.) T
+Sat. 1305 on 9580 - THE SCIENCE SHOW - One of the longest running
series on Australian radio. This week the Federal Government announced
the expansion of the Great Barrier Reef as a National Park. But will
this protection be sufficient to look after one of the wonders of the
world? We present a debate on the future of Australia's marine life from
Townsville, North Queensland, where scientists from James Cook
University and conservationists argue:- "Is Kindness Killing the
Environment - Ecotourism in the 21st Century". (First broadcast 0905;
Also Tue. 0110.)
Sat. 2105 on 21740 (joined in progress)- AUSTRALIA ALL OVER - Australian
songs, poems and stories from all over the country. Ian McNamara (aka
"Macca") hosts ABC Radio's highest rated program and celebrates the best
of traditional Australian values and culture with callers from inside
and outside Australia. (Begins at 2005 and heard best until 2100 via the
Internet; continues to 0000.)
+Sun. 0030 on 21740 - CARVING OUT: DEVELOPMENT IN THE PACIFIC* (part 8
of 13) "Women and Men, Boys and Girls". Pacific societies are heavily
dependent upon the work and skills of women. But their work has been
undervalued, and their voices largely ignored. Now more and more women
are standing up and demanding to be heard - especially when it comes to
issues like violence, livelihoods, and the right to participate as an
equal partner at all levels of society . And development planners are
realising that women’s issues have to be looked at in the context of
gender relations between women and men, girls and boys. [Ed. Note: Visit
the excellent CARVING OUT web site at
<http://www.abc.net.au/ra/carvingout>.] (First broadcast Sat. 0530; Also
Sun. 2130.) % T
Sun. 0105 on 17580 - THE EUROPEANS - Broad historical and cultural
perspectives on European societies. This week: "The Cossack Revival".
Famed for their get-down-low-and-kick-your-heels-up style of dancing,
Cossacks have a complex history, having played so many different roles
at different times - militaristic, blood-curdling and symbolic too. They
were the Tsars crack troops, used to expand the Russian empire and
police its cities. But there were also free Cossacks too, libertines
living in autonomous communities or "sichs" set up along the steppes of
Southern Russia, Ukraine and Central Asia. Some sichs had a remarkably
democratic structure, but Cossacks were also infamous for brutal
punishments, and massacres especially of Jewish communities. So they
repel as well as intrigue. Under the Soviet Union, they didn't fit in
the state structure or ideology and over 2 million of them were killed
or deported, some as far as the Arctic Circle. Since the Soviet Union’s
collapse though, Cossack clubs have sprung up - some under the auspices
of the Scouting movement. Cossack Unions are pushing to have their
militaristic role restored today, which has implications in that most
talked about part of southern Russia - Chechnya - where Cossack cavalry
played a crucial role in delivering the Caucasia to the Russian Empire,
back in the 19th century. While in Ukraine, Cossackism is making its
return in the shaping of a new, post-Soviet, national identity. (Sole
broadcast.) T
Sun. 0210 on 15515 - FINE MUSIC AUSTRALIA - Australian classical music
performances. (Also at 1130.)
Sun. 0230 on 15515 - INNOVATIONS* - A showcase of Australian design,
discoveries, invention, engineering and research skills with Desley
Blanch. (Also at 0830, Mon. 2330, Tue. 2130.) %
+Sun. 0530 on 15515 - IN CONVERSATION (Rural) with Helen Brown - A chat
with rural leaders and people on the land. (First broadcast Sat. 1930;
Also Sun. 1130.) %
Sun. 1205 on 9580 - COUNTRY CLUB - Richard Porteous offers an
off-the-road ramble through the various tracks that make up that very
wide field of country music. In Australia, recent surveys indicate that
a third of the adult population enjoy some form of country music, and
20% nominate this style as their preferred choice. From Americana to
alternative, bush to bluegrass, and from heritage to tomorrow's music,
COUNTRY CLUB offers a complete country music trip. (Sole broadcast. 2
hrs.)
Sun. 1405 on 9580 - BOOKS AND WRITING - Presented by Ramona Koval, this
program features in-depth discussions with prominent novelists, poets,
biographers and critics from Australia and the world focusing on books,
ideas and writing. This week: Andre Brink, the Sth African novelist,
essayist, literary critic and political activist, whose first novel
"Looking into Darkness" was banned by the Sth African Apartheid regime.
He has written many novels since then in both his native Afrikaans and
English. His latest book is "Devil's Valley" in which he imagines the
life of a community locked away from the rest of the world. It is based
on a real community set deep in the Swartberg Range of the Cape Province
which was only opened up to the outside world in the 1960's. Its a kind
of a metaphor for the mental, spiritual and political isolation of the
Afrikaans in Sth Africa. He spoke to Ramona Koval recently from Cape
Town. (Sole broadcast.) T
+Sun. 1505 on 9580 - ENCOUNTER - The religious experience of
multicultural Australia, exploring the connections between religion and
life. This week, "First Nations". In 1900 there was an assumption
abroad that Indigenous populations would soon disappear. They didn't,
and are holding their heads higher than ever. Against all odds, they've
even managed to keep some spirituality and meaning intact. Admire it,
learn from it or be threatened by it. Stephen Watkins speaks with
Julian Burger, leader of the team representing Ingenious Peoples at the
UN in Geneva, Rev Makhenkesi Stofile, Premier of Eastern Cape Province
in South Africa and Elijah Harper of Red Sucker Lake First Nation, who
initiated the 1995 "Sacred Assembly" for reconciliation and healing in
Canada. (First broadcast 0905.) T
+Sun. 2330 on 21740 - EARTHBEAT - Environmental issues in Australia.
This week we speak with the architects of the Australian Landcare
Movement, Phillip Toyne and Rick Farley, about their controversial
discussion paper on "The Decade of Landcare" published by the Australia
Institute this week. It assesses the movements, achievements and
failings and looks forward with a plan to tackle Australia's land-use
crisis. (First broadcast Sat. 0230, 1730.) T
Mon. 0030 on 21740 - THE HEALTH REPORT - A weekly roundup of the latest
issues and developments in the world of health and medicine focuses
this week on biological fertility in Britain. There is evidence of a
decline in semen quality in some countries, including Britain, in recent
decades. A study published in the British journal The Lancet, examined
whether biological fertility had also declined. Contrary to their
assumption, the researchers found that fertility has actually increased.
(Also at 1030, 1530, 2130.) % T
+Mon. 0110 on 17580 - AWAYE! - Australia's only national indigenous arts
and culture program. (First broadcast Fri. 1605.)
Best frequencies noted for RA here in upstate NY:
2100 - 0100 UTC: 21740 [17710 also noted]
0100 - 0200 UTC: 17580 [17750 also noted]
0200 - 0900 UTC: 15515 [17580 and 17750 also noted]
0900 - 1100 UTC: 13605 [11880 also noted]
1100 - fade out: 9580 [11650 also noted]
Best reported frequencies for RA in UK (further reports from UK/Europe
welcomed):
2030 - 2130 UTC: 9500
0500 - 0600 UTC: 15515
0600 - 0800 UTC: 15240, 15415, 15515, 17750
0800 - 0900 UTC: 9710, 15415, 15515, 17750, 21725
0900 - 1000 UTC: 21820 [21765 also noted]
1500 - 1700 UTC: 11660
If shortwave reception at your location is unreliable, you may find RA
via Internet audio a better alternative. The full Radio Australia
program schedule (with the exception of the weekend "Grandstand"
extended sports service, is streamed "live" in RealAudio from the
station's Internet site at <http://www.abc.net.au/ra/>. Late details for
some RA-produced programs may also be available there. Late details for
Radio National-produced programs are often available from
<http://www.abc.net.au/rn>.
Next update available on Sunday evening EDT.
Good listening!
--
John A. Figliozzi
Editor and Publisher
“The Worldwide Shortwave Listening Guide”
All new 2000-01 Edition Now Available!
For Details and Purchasing Information:
<http://www.anarc.org/naswa/swlguide/rsguide>