EVERY year since 2013 the National Features and Documentary Series (NFDS) has commissioned audio works created by budding community radio producers from around Australia to upskill community producer’s audio storytelling skills.
Producers from eight community radio stations were selected based on their story idea to receive training and mentoring from the Community Media Training Organisation (CMTO). Their stories are now original features that stations can access and play for free.
From One FM in Shepparton, Terri Cowley tells a section of Australia’s history from a unique perspective, as she recounts the tale of one of Australia’s first mid-air collisions.
‘Pilot Episode’ happened at Sydney’s Bankstown Airport in 1955. More than 60 years later, the story still ripples down through generations of the Cowley family, coming to rest with Terri, a journalist who felt compelled to tell the story, before it became too late.
In this personal passion project, Terri explores the death of her late grandfather, who died as a trainee pilot, by interviewing his sons and solidifying their family history in the airwaves.
The entire series, including ‘Pilot Town’ are available free for airplay on Australian community radio stations via the CBAA’s Community Radio Network. Listeners can discover this and previous years’ series from the NFDS webpage, through iTunes or via your preferred podcast platform.
