Community Journalism

1 Feb 2022, 1pm Early Childhood Education Crisis in Mparntwe Alice Springs/Mparntwe lacks enough early education places for all the children who need to be in care, directly affecting the city's ability to attract and retain good staff for many essential jobs. Kate Lyons-Dawson speaks with Leanne Milne, director of CACTL the Central Australian Community Toy Library who has been researching the current situation, as well as trying to find the funding to expand CACTL's capacity. Richie McWaters shares some of the challenges in being the working parent of a young child in Mparntwe.

24 Dec 2021, 8pm Mark Bensted – Jimmy Cocking on kerbside recycling Big Brekky Producer Mark Bensted speaks with Alice Springs Town Council Alderman Jimmy Cocking asking “is kerb side recycling a suitable option for the Alice Springs Community?”. Many candidates join council wanting to reduce household waste going into land fill ,but is kerbside recycling the answer?

23 Dec 2021, 6pm Jo Darling – Food Bank story The Foodbank has opened its doors to shoppers in Mbantua/ Alice Springs. How is Australia's largest food relief charity supporting food insecurity in Alice Springs?  Jo Darling spoke to representatives from NPY Womens' Council Sharon Austin and Maddy Thorpe as well as Foodbank volunteer Ruthy Resiner

23 Dec 2021, 6pm Adam Gooderham – Disability Story Adam Gooderham spoke with a service provider and a consumer of NDIS services to get their perspective on the revelations of the Disability Royal Commission. They just happen to be his cohosts on the Big Brekky- Andrew Harrison and Michelle Pettit of 'Hello Alice'

23 Dec 2021, 5pm Alex Vaughan – Buffel or Bust 8CCC Why do people spend time removing buffel grass year after year? Why is buffel grass a threat to native plants, animals and culturally significant sites? What can be done to better manage buffel grass in the Northern Territory? With the recent rain causing significant growth in buffel across town, it is timely to talk to Jacqueline Arnold from Alice Springs Landcare and Buffel Grass Information and Action Group about the major issues with buffel management in the Northern Territory, and why despite this she continues to bust buffel at Maynard Park in Braitling.

23 Dec 2021, 5pm Oscar McClean- Live Music in Mparntwe Oscar McClean, lead singer of emerging Mparntwe based band 'The Bad influences' and host of 8CCC show ' Scratch & Sniff', talks Local live music with 8CCC Community Radio Station Manager Benjamin Erin

23 Dec 2021, 5pm Lindsay Ross – Alice Springs Baseball Little League Report Baseball has been a fixture in Alice for more than 60 years and today offers seasonal competitions for men and women, boys and girls, from ages 4 and up. Each Saturday afternoon, Bushrangers, Jets, Mavericks and Rebels battle it out in the ASBA MPH Little League Competition.  A round robin competition at the traditional home of Alice Springs Baseball – Lyle Kempster Field. Numbers in the competition are burgeoning, as youngsters aged 9-12 hone their skills in one of the fast-growing junior sports in the community Junior players from across the region are finding the joy in gloves, bases, bats, dirt, and the grass of the outfield 8CCC Community Radio takes a look at the competition at the mid-point of the 21/22 Season.

23 Dec 2021, 5pm Cass Wiles – A Frack Free NT "As part of the Central Australian Frack Free Alliance (CAFFA), Hannah and Heather have been involved in raising community awareness around the issue of fracking and also keeping up to date with any new developments that the gas industry is undertaking. Excitingly, Caffa is now a fully incorporated body that will allow them to take part in any litigation where potentially, governments and/or gas companies may be taken to court over non compliance of policy and practice. Tune in to hear all about this local grassroots organisation and their role in working towards a Frack Free NT."