A pilot program is offering young women in Mount Alexander Shire the opportunity to develop a podcast to be broadcast on MainFM radio show, Femme Fortissima, which airs on Fridays from 11am – 1pm.
The hands-on podcasting workshop series is tailored for young women, providing skills in audio storytelling, editing, interviewing and podcasting. The program will culminate in participation in the local community radio station, enabling participants to share their stories and perspectives with a broader audience.
Working with community broadcasters and mentors, Bridget Haylock and Elizabeth Scanlon, young women aged 16-25 will gain access to media training, platforms to express their views and pathways into creative industries. The local community will gain access to fresh, diverse voices in media and MainFM will benefit from youth engagement and content diversity. Femme Fortissima host Bridget Haylock said the project had been designed with a strong gender-inclusive approach.
“While it specifically targets young women to address underrepresentation in media, we also welcome non-binary participants and are mindful of creating a safe, respectful and affirming space for all gender identities,” she said.
“The benefits include increased confidence, media literacy and communication skills for participants, as well as greater community cohesion and cultural representation.
“Participants will develop a sense of agency and belonging, while MainFM will become a more inclusive space.”
MainFM has expressed a strong interest in supporting and collaborating on this initiative with generous in-kind offers (studio time and equipment) that demonstrate genuine community backing.
This project fosters empowerment through storytelling, builds local talent and strengthens regional voices, creating a lasting impact on both participants – who may continue into a broadcast career on MainFM – and the wider community.
The Podcasting Pathways Workshops are supported by a community grant from the Mount Alexander Shire and are free to participants.
Workshops will run weekly from October 28 to December 9 on Tuesday evenings from 6pm to 9pm at MainFM, 1 Halford Street, Castlemaine.
For more information, contact Bridget at fortissimafemme@gmail.com
