Here in the Southern Highlands we are an eclectic bunch and together we make the community the wonderful place that it is.
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We have had to overcome drought, the devastation of the bushfires and now all that is associated with Covid-19.
With big hearts and a spirit that is unique to the Highlands, we continue to strive to overcome these challenges and get on with life.
"Without a doubt 2020 will go down as one of the most challenging years ever for our nation," Community Broadcasting Association Australia president Phillip Randall said.
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"We are having to battle the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on our community and the economy. Through it all, however, we've been reminded again and again of the key role community radio plays in supporting our communities with vital news, information and connection.
"With almost six million Australians tuning in to community radio stations each week, our position as the largest independent media sector continues to strengthen. Across the country, Australians listen to community radio because it contributes to and reflects Australia's open society, strong democracy and vibrant culture."
Highland FM 107.1 broadcasts 24 hours seven days per week and live from 6.30am to 10pm.
We are constantly reviewing our program mix to reflect the choices of our listening audience.
National news is delivered on the hour along with local weather, traffic and train timetable updates.
However, when it comes to local news, the backbone of our communities are our local and regional newspapers.
Southern Highland News has moved to an on-line version updated seven days a week to keep our community informed and up-to-date with news and information that is relevant to the Southern Highlands.
Concerning is that thousands of reporters and editors have been cut from regional and community newspapers greatly diminishing their capacity to consistently and deeply cover residents' lives, council news, schools, business, sports and social issues that are relevant to their communities.
It is doubtful that we will go back to a nation covered by well-staffed local newspapers, though one hopes newsrooms will remain.
We still see great local journalism, but given the reduced numbers it would be difficult to fully and meaningfully cover the communities they serve on a daily basis.
It takes time and skill and therefore presents the challenge for editors to meet the demand and therefore necessitates collaboration with other media and news gatherers who are located in the community and also care about it.
"Increasing, is the collaboration and partnerships among professional journalists at local newspapers, TV and radio stations, digital-only organisations and non-profit news groups. Such work has started, but must be accelerated and should identify approaches that both expand participants' audiences and are financially sustainable," Journalist and Pulitzer Prize Board member and an Ethics Fellow at the Poynter Institute Joyce Dehli said.
These comments are reassuring as Highland FM and Southern Highland News are working together to do all we can to strengthen local representation and tighten our connection to the Southern Highlands community.
We have partnered to promote "the Shop Local First" campaign and Southern Highland News has facilitated the sharing of general relevant content with Highland FM.
We recognise, however, the importance of deeply reported, professional local journalism as an essential force in our democracy and vital to our community.
