2SER emergency funding model reportedly rejected as 2 legends return for special broadcast

ABC and triple j legends Robbie Buck and Richard Kingsmill will both be featured in a special broadcast tonight (Monday, May 18th) at Sydney’s 2SER, the station where both got their start in radio.

With the Macquarie University and University of Technology Sydney (UTS) funded community radio station is facing an uncertain future, the program will celebrate the station’s role as a platform for new announcers, journalists and music, as well as a discussion around action from here.

According to Central News, a proposed emergency funding model was rejected at a board meeting last week. Strategic Planning consultant Tony Duke then was reportedly brought in to come up with a new proposal, but has been given nine days to do so.

The emergency proposal had been developed by a working group formed after last month’s heated town hall meeting, of which Robbie Buck was a vocal part, was created as a short-term measure while the station continued a hunt for long-term funding partners

Former 2SER manager and member of the working group Paula Kruger, told Central News:

“It’s not ideal, but the way we see it, this is just a transition period… what we’re hoping it will do is buy us more time to have conversations with potential education partners.”

She said the proposed model would see 2SER operate on around $500,000 a year, a combination of UTS funds and revenue the station would raise.

UTS told Central News it were unable to comment until next week, alongside a public announcement.