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Australian Government Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
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National Indigenous Advisory Agency
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Indigenous Broadcasting Program
Who is Black Star Radio?
Black Star Radio is a product of QRAM.
Developed in conjunction with community members, we offer an all-digital integrated radio network and programming support to local radio sites across remote areas of Far North Queensland.
Each local site can tailor the content they provide to their communities including automated 24/7 mainstream music from a wide range of genres using the Black Star network.
In short, we ensure remote Far North Queensland communities have access to great radio every day.
The Black Star Story
Before Black Star Radio was born, remote communities throughout Far North Queensland had limited radio availability and what was available was cherry-picked content from regional centres.
This meant that listeners were not receiving relevant, current news about things that may affect them. They were also limited in music genres and not all ages and tastes were catered for using the technology developed by Gerry Pyne, the first trial site was established at NPA Radio in Bamaga on the 24th August 2011 and it was a great success.
In 2012, the Black Star network was rolled out to nine more sites with a further two being added by March of 2013.
Word was getting out and more communities began reaching out to get Black Star set up in their local areas. Fast forward to 2022 and we now have 18 stations across the network reaching more than 30 communities.
Queensland Remote Aboriginal Media
Queensland Remote Aboriginal Media (QRAM) is a non-profit Aboriginal Corporation based in Cairns.
Formed in 2006 and becoming fully operational in July 2007, QRAM provides administrative, technical, marketing, secretariat and training support to remote radio stations in Far North Queensland.
Prior to the formation of QRAM, these stations received minimal support after the previous coordinating body, RIMAQ finished up in 1999.
QRAM manages Black Star Radio.
Our BLACK STAR Community ANNOUNCERS
Amy McKeown
Northern Peninsula Area
Cape York Region
Sai Matainavora
Doomadgee
Central Gulf Region
Carmel Haines
Wujal Wujal
Cape York Region
MJ Bailey
Cairns & Cooktown
Far North Queensland
Mark Hogan
Cooktown & Normanton
Shane Wilson
Atherton Tablelands
Far North Queensland
QRAM - Board of Directors
Aaron Teddy
Neville Reys
Noelana Flinders
Robert Thompson
Angus Kerindun
RIMO - Remote Indigenous Media Organisation
QRAM is one of eight Remote Indigenous Media Organisations (RIMOs) in Australia and is supported by:
QRAM’s role is to provide radiobroadcasting support to Remote Indigenous Broadcasting Services (RIBS) in their regions.
Black Star Radio provides support to RIBS across Far North Queensland in the following forms:
