Post Cyclone Debbie; radio rises to the challenge

Southern Cross Austereo and Grant Broadcasters are among the networks lending a hand to communities affected by Cyclone Debbie.

Hit and Triple M staff hit the streets of storm-ravaged Mackay and The Whitsundays with Easter eggs and Hot Cross Buns to bring some Easter joy to the lives of hundreds of local residents.

Plans are also underway to deliver a Triple M Good Luck Truck, an initiative which allows listeners to register for help with a job that has come about due to Debbie’s path of destruction.

SCA have also been keeping QLD communities updated with vital news and emergency information since the cyclone hit the region last Monday.

Triple M’s breakfast team of Jay & Dave as well as Hit’s Johnno with Miki started the day with emergency updates of the cyclone’s warnings from 5am to 9am.

From there, content director and morning host Ange Julian took the reigns until the overnight team came in at 5pm.

“Once again I am extremely proud of the team in The Whitsundays Mackay region,” said SCA’s head of regional media, Rick Lenaric.

“Like all of our regional team’s across Australia when these emergencies happen they step up to the mark and provide an invaluable resource to the local community,” he added.

Furthermore, Townsville sister stations Star 106.3 and Power 100 and Mackay’s Star 101.9 and 4MK banded together to deliver a shipping container full of food, water and toiletries to the Salvation Army for distribution among those impacted.

Cassy Small, promotions and marketing manager for Grant Broadcasters Queensland said, “cyclones are part of life up here, but to see the devastation and to hear the stories from our listeners we knew that we needed to do something.

“There’s a long road ahead for the people that live here and we hope this can have a small impact and bring some smiles just before Easter.”