Reading Radio: Local, in the truest sense of the word

Mina Silvestre (left) with fellow Reading Radio volunteer Marion

When Reading Radio volunteer Mina Silvestre moved to Brisbane from Sydney over a decade ago, she arrived with no friends. Apart from her work colleagues, she barely knew a soul.

In an increasingly digital and automated world, finding genuine connection can be complicated.

As Mina tells Radio Today “Sustaining more than a friendly ‘hello’ or ‘How are you?’ is becoming trickier as we rely more on technology as a go-between in our communications with friends, family and colleagues.”

Reading Radio has given Mina (pictured above) that genuine connection she craved, working behind the mic with real people who share their professional, funny and sometimes flawed selves.

“We rally on our shared goals and work together to move mountains and deliver good radio.”

Mina says Reading Radio is local in the truest sense of the word.

With studios based in Spring Hill, just north of Brisbane’s CBD, and attracting some 80,000 listeners per month on air, for more than forty years the not-for-profit station has provided access to local newspapers, community information, council notices, events, emergency updates and programs that matter to locals.

Born into a first-generation Italian migrant family in Sydney, Mina’s grandfather had a gruelling and primitive start to Australian life as a cane cutter in Queensland.

“My parents and grandparents were the epitome of hard-working foreigners who wanted a better life, access to fair opportunities and to live where family and Christian values were a large part of the fabric of the country,” says Mina. “They instilled a blend of hard work ethic, family-first attitude and a sense of pride in my Italian heritage and a love for my country.”

As a child, Mina remembers her mother’s small but loud transistor radio, which sat on the kitchen window sill.

“It regularly blared out the opinions of 2GB presenters and listeners about the topic of the day. Each were unfettered in their points of view.”

During high school, Mina discovered a flair for writing and telling stories, eventually going on to build a career in communications and marketing.

She’d wanted to get involved in radio during her early years at university.

“The dilemma was that I was introverted and infinitely more comfortable writing than speaking to give it a go.”

A full circle moment happened a couple of years ago when Mina spotted an ad for volunteers at Reading Radio.

Having recently experienced redundancy, it was the right opportunity at the right time.

Every announcer or on-air reader at Reading Radio is a volunteer and works across a three-hour shift.

Before he became a household name in Brisbane, Spencer Howson started out at Reading Radio in the early 1990s and remains a regular visitor to the station.

Mina is on air twice a week – one day as a reader and another as an announcer.

“Before the shift, we arrive in the studio early to see what is newsworthy that day. Each reader then identifies the stories they plan to read.”

Readers have the flexibility to choose stories for each segment that appeal to them which leads to a broad range of articles aired.

“This is a key point of differentiation of our radio station and helps create a rich and diverse listening experience for our audience,” says Mina.

Because Reading Radio volunteers come from all different walks of life – from aspiring journalists to retirees – every live show has its own personality.

“Announcers have a unique opportunity build strong on-air chemistry and that often translates into authentic, engaging and upbeat local broadcasting,” says Mina.

Mina is also a company director on Reading Radio’s board, which meets once a month.

“As a non-for-profit organisation, the meetings focus on ensuring the station remains financially sustainable and optimises operations to serve the blind, vision-impaired and broader Brisbane community.”

As more and more media outlets become more centralised, Reading Radio remains deeply connected to the community it serves.

“Our listeners tune in for local information, news and entertainment delivered by authentic local volunteers who are helping to build connection and companionship,” says Mina.

“For someone who is blind, low-vision or who finds it difficult to read printed material like new English speakers, Reading Radio helps bridge that gap.”

“We deliver content that helps locals in Brisbane fully engage in life in their community.”

Reading Radio’s local fundraising efforts provide an avenue for connecting directly with listeners.

“It is a humbling experience to meet or speak with listeners who truly value the service you deliver for them,” says Mina.

Mina recently shared the story of how she used to be a serial ‘yes-er’ – and how it was holding her back.

“Being a serial ‘yes-er’ in past jobs could result in me putting other people’s work and agendas ahead of my own. At times that was necessary to get the right business outcome.”

“Other times I sidelined my own priorities instead of asking whether the work could be done differently or at another time. That’s a habit that can quickly lead to burnout. In a fast-changing work world that is more demanding and less certain, it is more important to be deliberate about where you spend your time and energy.”

Mina says her involvement with Reading Radio has given her not only a voice, but a sense of confidence.

“Volunteering in radio provides a great way to test and build your ideas and skills in a supportive environment.”

“It reminded me that personal growth often comes from putting your hand up and getting involved rather than waiting until you feel ready.”

Listen to Reading Radio here. Images: Reading Radio Facebook page and LinkedIn.