Vikki Uhlmann, a Queensland Friends Committee member, recently returned from her second trip around Australia, during which she visited ABC Studios across the Northern region. This included Broome in WA, and Cairns, Townsville and Mackay in Queensland.

It was interesting to note that, despite the enormous loss of funding and experienced staff the ABC has suffered over the last decade, the small regional bureaux are doing well. They consider they have sufficient staff and equipment and with one exception (Townsville) they enjoy a cyclone-rated office from where they can provide emergency broadcasting. And they believe they are very much a part of their local community, receiving good feedback. 

With the support of funding from Meta the ABC has made local broadcasting a priority. It will be important to continue this level of support when that funding ceases.

Meanwhile at the national level the reduced budget for fact-checking, for funding Australian drama, and for maintaining transmission towers, for example, has made it difficult for the ABC to meet its Charter obligations.

So, why not drop into your local ABC studio and say hello!